κόπος (kopos)
kopos
labor
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 19 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun kopos describes laborious toil that results in fatigue and trouble. Derived from a root meaning to bend or stoop, it emphasizes the weariness produced by hard work rather than the effort itself. In Scripture, it often appears alongside words for sweat or distress, painting a picture of physical exhaustion.
This word highlights the cost of faithful service. Paul uses it to describe his own preaching, noting that he worked night and day so as not to be a burden to others (1 Thessalonians 2:9). He also pairs it with "sweat" to list the hardships he endured for the gospel (2 Corinthians 11:27).
Translators typically render kopos as "labor," "toil," or "hard work." The sources note a subtle distinction from similar words: while others focus on the intensity of the effort, kopos focuses on the resulting fatigue. It serves as a reminder that spiritual service often involves genuine physical and mental strain.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word kopos captures the heavy, exhausting side of work. It is not just effort, but the weariness that follows long hours and difficult tasks. When you feel drained by your daily duties or ministry, this word reminds you that your fatigue is real and seen. God does not ignore the physical toll of faithful service.
Paul often used kopos to describe his own preaching. He worked night and day so he would not burden others, yet he still felt the strain. This shows that serving Jesus can be physically demanding. Your tiredness does not mean you are failing; it often means you are giving your best for the Kingdom.
Even in this exhaustion, there is hope. Scripture promises that your labor in the Lord is never wasted. The rest that follows such work is a gift from God. You can trust that He values every hour you spend serving Him, even when you feel completely spent.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 19 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- labor8×
- trouble4×
- labors,2×
- labors2×
- troubles1×
- toil1×
- labor.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κόπους4×
- κόπον4×
- κόπῳ2×
- κόπου2×
- κόπος2×
- κόποις,2×
- κόπων1×
- κόπον.1×
- κόποις1×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
This verse assures believers that their exhausting toil in the Lord has eternal value and is not wasted.
-
II Thessalonians 3:8
neither did we eat bread from anyone’s hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you.
Paul highlights his own physical exhaustion from working night and day to model self-sufficiency and dedication.
-
Revelation of John 14:13
I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their works follow with them.”
This promise offers comfort that those who die in the Lord will finally rest from their heavy labors.
-
I Thessalonians 2:9
For you remember, brothers, our labor and travail; for working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached to you the Good News of God.
Paul explicitly mentions his labor and travail to show the intense personal cost of preaching the Gospel.