"intrans. to work, labor, Mt. 21:28; Lk. 13:14; to trade, traffic, do business, Mt. 25:16; Rev. 18:17; to act, exert one’s power, be active, Jn. 5:17; trans. to do, perform, commit, Mt. 26:10; Jn. 6:28; to be engaged in, occupied upon, 1 Cor. 9:13; Rev. 18:17; to acquire, gain by ..."
Definition and meaning
intrans. to work, labor, Mt. 21:28; Lk. 13:14; to trade, traffic, do business, Mt. 25:16; Rev. 18:17; to act, exert one’s power, be active, Jn. 5:17; trans. to do, perform, commit, Mt. 26:10; Jn. 6:28; to be engaged in, occupied upon, 1 Cor. 9:13; Rev. 18:17; to acquire, gain by one’s labor, Jn. 6:27
In the original Greek the word is written: ἐργάζομαι
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
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 ergazomai (G2038) across the King James Bible.
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.
And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
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Common questions
Strong's G2038 (ergazomai) is a Greek word that means: intrans. to work, labor, Mt. 21:28; Lk. 13:14; to trade, traffic, do business, Mt. 25:16; Rev. 18:17; to act, exert one’s power, be active, Jn. 5:17; trans. to do, perform, commit, Mt. 26:10; Jn. 6:28... It appears 37 times in the King James Bible.
The word ergazomai (G2038) appears 37 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2038 is ergazomai, a Greek word defined as: intrans. to work, labor, Mt. 21:28; Lk. 13:14; to trade, traffic, do business, Mt. 25:16; Rev. 18:17; to act, exert one’s power, be active, Jn. 5:17; . James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
ergazomai is a Greek word found in the New Testament.