κόπος

trouble, toil, labor

Definition

The Greek word κόπος (kopos) primarily means 'labor' or 'toil,' specifically the kind that results in weariness and exhaustion. It can refer to physical work, as in the labor of farming or manual tasks (John 4:38). In other contexts, it denotes 'trouble' or 'burden,' such as the bothersome persistence of the widow in Luke 18:5 or the idea of not troubling someone, as Jesus says of the woman who anointed him (Mark 14:6). A significant spiritual sense emerges in the epistles, where it describes arduous work for the Gospel, a labor that is not in vain because of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Biblical Usage

Κόπος is used across the Gospels, Acts, and the Pauline epistles. In the Gospels, it often appears in parables and narratives about everyday trouble or labor (Luke 11:7, 18:5). Paul uses it most frequently to describe apostolic ministry and the strenuous work of building up the church, as seen in 1 Corinthians 3:8 and 2 Corinthians 6:5, where it is listed among his hardships. This pattern shows a development from general physical toil to a specialized term for Christian ministry labor.

Etymology

Derived from the verb κόπτω (koptō), meaning 'to strike' or 'to cut,' κόπος originally conveyed the sense of 'beating' or 'weariness' from striking. It evolved to mean the fatigue resulting from hard work or struggle. This root connection highlights the word's inherent link to exertion and the draining effect of labor.

Semantic Range

Κόπος is theologically significant as it validates Christian effort. Paul assures believers that their 'labor in the Lord is not in vain' (1 Corinthians 15:58), grounding human toil in the resurrection's hope. It dignifies everyday work and especially ministry labor, showing it as partnership with God (1 Corinthians 3:9). Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by revealing how biblical writers connect earthly fatigue with eternal value and divine purpose.

In the Greco-Roman world, physical labor (κόπος) was often viewed as demeaning, the lot of slaves or the lower classes. The New Testament's use, especially by Paul, reclaims and elevates this concept, applying it to spiritual work and presenting it as honorable and God-honoring. This was a counter-cultural affirmation of the dignity of toil.

ἔργον (ergon, G2041) — A more general term for 'work' or 'deed,' without the inherent connotation of weariness. μόχθος (mochthos, G3449) — Similar to κόπος, meaning 'toil' or 'hardship,' but with a stronger emphasis on painful struggle or distress.

Word Details

Scripture References