'Work' in the Bible

Why do you worry about clothing? Think about how the flowers of the field grow; they do not work or spin.

and he said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead! And because of this, miraculous powers are at work in him."

When it was about nine o'clock in the morning, he went out again and saw others standing around in the marketplace without work.

And about five o'clock that afternoon he went out and found others standing around, and said to them, 'Why are you standing here all day without work?'

They said to him, 'Because no one hired us.' He said to them, 'You go and work in the vineyard too.'

And the landowner replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am not treating you unfairly. Didn't you agree with me to work for the standard wage?

"What do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.'

Blessed is that slave whom the master finds at work when he comes.

The one who had received five talents went off right away and put his money to work and gained five more.

Now King Herod heard this, for Jesus' name had become known. Some were saying, "John the baptizer has been raised from the dead, and because of this, miraculous powers are at work in him."

It is like a man going on a journey. He left his house and put his slaves in charge, assigning to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to stay alert.

But Martha was distracted with all the preparations she had to make, so she came up to him and said, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do all the work alone? Tell her to help me."

Consider how the flowers grow; they do not work or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these!

Blessed is that slave whom his master finds at work when he returns.

But the president of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the crowd, "There are six days on which work should be done! So come and be healed on those days, and not on the Sabbath day."

But he said to them, "Go and tell that fox, 'Look, I am casting out demons and performing healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will complete my work.

Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to complete his work.

I sent you to reap what you did not work for; others have labored and you have entered into their labor."

Do not work for the food that disappears, but for the food that remains to eternal life -- the food which the Son of Man will give to you. For God the Father has put his seal of approval on him."

We must perform the deeds of the one who sent me as long as it is daytime. Night is coming when no one can work.

I glorified you on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.

While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

Look, you scoffers; be amazed and perish! For I am doing a work in your days, a work you would never believe, even if someone tells you.'"

From there they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work they had now completed.

but Paul insisted that they should not take along this one who had left them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work.

They show that the work of the law is written in their hearts, as their conscience bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or else defend them,

But to the one who does not work, but believes in the one who declares the ungodly righteous, his faith is credited as righteousness.

And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose,

Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. For although all things are clean, it is wrong to cause anyone to stumble by what you eat.

The one who plants and the one who waters work as one, but each will receive his reward according to his work.

each builder's work will be plainly seen, for the Day will make it clear, because it will be revealed by fire. And the fire will test what kind of work each has done.

If someone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

We do hard work, toiling with our own hands. When we are verbally abused, we respond with a blessing, when persecuted, we endure,

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?

Or do only Barnabas and I lack the right not to work?

Or is he not surely speaking for our benefit? It was written for us, because the one plowing and threshing ought to work in hope of enjoying the harvest.

So then, dear brothers and sisters, be firm. Do not be moved! Always be outstanding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Now if Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear among you, for he is doing the Lord's work, as I am too.

also to submit to people like this, and to everyone who cooperates in the work and labors hard.

As a result, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

Thus we urged Titus that, just as he had previously begun this work, so also he should complete this act of kindness for you.

And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in spreading the gospel.

And God is able to make all grace overflow to you so that because you have enough of everything in every way at all times, you will overflow in every good work.

But we will not boast beyond certain limits, but will confine our boasting according to the limits of the work to which God has appointed us, that reaches even as far as you.

Nor do we boast beyond certain limits in the work done by others, but we hope that as your faith continues to grow, our work may be greatly expanded among you according to our limits,

so that we may preach the gospel in the regions that lie beyond you, and not boast of work already done in another person's area.

in hard work and toil, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, many times without food, in cold and without enough clothing.

Does God then give you the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law or by your believing what you heard?

I fear for you that my work for you may have been in vain.

Let each one examine his own work. Then he can take pride in himself and not compare himself with someone else.

to equip the saints for the work of ministry, that is, to build up the body of Christ,

not like those who do their work only when someone is watching -- as people-pleasers -- but as slaves of Christ doing the will of God from the heart.

For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Now if I am to go on living in the body, this will mean productive work for me, yet I don't know which I prefer:

since it was because of the work of Christ that he almost died. He risked his life so that he could make up for your inability to serve me.

Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people,

because we recall in the presence of our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

And so we too constantly thank God that when you received God's message that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human message, but as it truly is, God's message, which is at work among you who believe.

to aspire to lead a quiet life, to attend to your own business, and to work with your hands, as we commanded you.

and to esteem them most highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

And in this regard we pray for you always, that our God will make you worthy of his calling and fulfill by his power your every desire for goodness and every work of faith,

For the hidden power of lawlessness is already at work. However, the one who holds him back will do so until he is taken out of the way,

For even when we were with you, we used to give you this command: "If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat."

For we hear that some among you are living an undisciplined life, not doing their own work but meddling in the work of others.

Now such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and so provide their own food to eat.

This saying is trustworthy: "If someone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work."

In fact this is why we work hard and struggle, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of believers.

Elders who provide effective leadership must be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard in speaking and teaching.

So if someone cleanses himself of such behavior, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.

You, however, be self-controlled in all things, endure hardship, do an evangelist's work, fulfill your ministry.

For the overseer must be blameless as one entrusted with God's work, not arrogant, not prone to anger, not a drunkard, not violent, not greedy for gain.

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work.

For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love you have demonstrated for his name, in having served and continuing to serve the saints.

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls and will give an account for their work. Let them do this with joy and not with complaints, for this would be no advantage for you.

And if you address as Father the one who impartially judges according to each one's work, live out the time of your temporary residence here in reverence.

Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write this: 'Blessed are the dead, those who die in the Lord from this moment on!'" "Yes," says the Spirit, "so they can rest from their hard work, because their deeds will follow them."