"work, labor; in NT ἐργασίαν διδόναι, to endeavor, strive, Lk. 12:58; performance, practice, Eph. 4:19; a trade, business, craft, Acts 19:25, gain acquired by labor or trade, profit, Acts 16:16, 19; 19:24*"
Definition and meaning
work, labor; in NT ἐργασίαν διδόναι, to endeavor, strive, Lk. 12:58; performance, practice, Eph. 4:19; a trade, business, craft, Acts 19:25, gain acquired by labor or trade, profit, Acts 16:16, 19; 19:24*
In the original Greek the word is written: ἐργασία
Historical context
Luke wrote as a historian addressing a Greek audience. He carefully interviewed eyewitnesses and arranged events in order. The social and economic realities he describes — Roman taxation, Jewish religious hierarchy, the marginalization of women and the poor — are consistent with first-century Judea under Roman administration.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of ergasia (G2039) across the King James Bible.
When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.
And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;
Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.
Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
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Common questions
Strong's G2039 (ergasia) is a Greek word that means: work, labor; in NT ἐργασίαν διδόναι, to endeavor, strive, Lk. 12:58; performance, practice, Eph. 4:19; a trade, business, craft, Acts 19:25, gain acquired by labor or trade, profit, Acts 16:16, 19; 19... It appears 6 times in the King James Bible.
The word ergasia (G2039) appears 6 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2039 is ergasia, a Greek word defined as: work, labor; in NT ἐργασίαν διδόναι, to endeavor, strive, Lk. 12:58; performance, practice, Eph. 4:19; a trade, business, craft, Acts 19:25, gain acqu. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
ergasia is a Greek word found in the New Testament.