ἐργασία (ergasia)
ergasia
work
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun ergasia refers to active work, business, or the specific performance of a task. Derived from the root for "work," it emphasizes the process and effort involved rather than just the final product. In the New Testament, it appears in six verses, frequently describing commercial activities or diligent endeavors.
Its meaning shifts slightly depending on context. In Acts 16:16 and 19:24-25, it denotes a trade or business venture that brings profit, highlighting the economic reality of the characters' livelihoods. Conversely, in Luke 12:58, the phrase suggests giving attention or effort to resolve a legal dispute, focusing on the exertion required. Ephesians 4:19 uses it to describe the active practice of sensuality, framing moral failure as a deliberate engagement.
This word captures the tangible energy behind human action. Whether in a marketplace or a moral struggle, ergasia points to the concrete reality of doing something with purpose and effort.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word ergasia points to active labor, business, or the specific performance of a task. It emphasizes the effort involved in doing something rather than just the final result. In the New Testament, this term often describes commercial activities or diligent endeavors that shape daily life.
Whether in a marketplace or a moral struggle, ergasia highlights the tangible energy behind human action. For instance, Ephesians 4:19 uses it to describe giving oneself over to sensuality, framing moral failure as a deliberate engagement. This reminds us that our efforts have direction and consequence.
In Acts 16:16, we see how this work brought profit to masters through fortune telling, showing the economic reality of livelihoods. Understanding ergasia helps us reflect on where we invest our energy. It invites us to consider if our daily labors align with faithfulness and purpose in Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- business2×
- profit1×
- gain1×
- earnestness1×
- [the] working1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐργασίαν3×
- ἐργασίας2×
- ἐργασίαν,1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 16:16
As we were going to prayer, a certain girl having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by fortune telling.
This verse uses ergasia to describe a profitable but spiritually harmful business venture, highlighting how economic gain can conflict with spiritual integrity.
-
Ephesians 4:19
They, having become callous, gave themselves up to lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Here the word frames moral failure as an active, deliberate engagement in uncleanness, showing that sin involves purposeful effort rather than passive occurrence.
-
Acts 19:25
whom he gathered together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, “Sirs, you know that by this business we have our wealth.
Demetrius identifies this trade as the source of their wealth, emphasizing how ergasia represents the concrete livelihood and economic stability of skilled craftsmen.