[Greek] κοπιάω (kopiaō), [Latin] laborare, [Latin] fatigare: to work hard, to be weary, to toil, to tire, to be tired, to weary; Mt.6:28, Mt.11:28, Lk.5:5, Jn.4:6,38, Acts 20:35, Rom.16:6,12, 1Cor.4:12, 1Cor.15:10, 1Cor.16:16, Gal.4:11, Eph.4:28, Php.2:16, Col.1:29, 1Thess.5:12, 1Tim.4:10, 1Tim.5:17, 2Tim.2:6, Rev.2:3
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to grow weary, to make a great exertion (mental or physical), to suffer, to strike, and to work (toil). Aristophanes’ Thesmophoriazusae 795 states “If we fall asleep at friends’ homes from the fatigue of playing and sporting, each you (wives) come prowling around the bed to contemplate the features of this pest (husband). Aristophanes’ Birds 735 states “That you will be weary and cloyed with enjoyment.” Euripides’ Phoenissae 852 states “But first collect your strength and regain your breath, shaking off the fatigue from your journey.” Euripides’ The Trojan Woman 794 states “For you I strike upon my head and beat my breast, my only gift.”
The Wisdom of Ben Sira: This book follows Wisdom in the Old Testament. Sirach comes from the Greek form of the author’s name. Ben Sira was a wise and experienced observer of life. This book Liber Ecclesiasticus (Church Book) addressed wisdom tradition, the law, the priesthood, divine worship, the individual, and the family. This book, written in the early 2nd century B.C., provided maxims in integrating faith and family issues in various subject matters. The Wisdom of Ben Sira has been recognized by the Catholic Church as inspired and canonized. The notion of taking a yoke upon one’s neck and seeking rest comes from Sir.51:23-30.
“Come aside to me, you untutored, and take up lodging in the house of instruction; how long will you deprive yourself of wisdom’s food, and how long endure such bitter thirst? I open my mouth and speak of her: gain wisdom for yourselves at not cost. Take her yoke upon your neck; that your mind may receive her teaching. For she is close to those who seek her, and the one who is in earnest finds her. See for yourselves! I have labored only a little, but have found much.” Sir 51:23-27
What is this house of instruction? This is essentially a metaphor for Ben Sira’s teaching.
Who are those who come this house (school) of instruction? The naïve, untutored, and foolish people come here.
What are these students seeking? Wisdom (praise of the Lord).
Why is wisdom personified as female? Finding wisdom was like finding a wife. Like a wife, wisdom provides wealth, blessings, and righteousness.
What is a yoke? A yoke is a harness used by oxen and other animals to ease the work of hauling a load. A yoke also means a designation of servitude and carrying a burden of a task or mission.
What does “acquire a little instruction and you will win silver and gold though her” mean? With a little hard work, one may attain great blessings.
New Testament: This term means to work (labor), to grow weary, and to be discouraged. Jesus calls upon those who labor and those who are burdened. He offers a light yoke and provides us with rest. Work goes hand in hand with faith in one’s efforts to follow the gospel. It is by work that we must help the weak (less unfortunate). Paul states he, along with other followers of Christ, may sometimes toil with persecution, imprisonment, abandonment, wandering, ridicule, endurance, hunger and thirst, or even martyrdom. This toil comes in contrast to the promised eschatological hope and salvation. Paul implores his congregations to follow the gospel message so that his efforts (work) are not in vain. Paul states one must support presbyters who faithfully toil in preaching and teaching and yet also must hold them accountable. A good soldier (follower) of Christ is expected to have a single-mindedness in his efforts.
Scripture:
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” Mt.11:28
Jesus offers rest and help for those who experience heavy burdens in life. Jesus does not promise a life free of burdens.
“And we toil, working with our own hands. When ridiculed, we bless, when persecuted, we endure.” 1Cor.4:12
A follower of Christ may be expected to face struggles, difficulties, or persecution. This is in contrast to the promised hope of salvation.
“Presbyters who preside well deserve double honor, especially those who toil in preaching and teaching. 1Tim.5:17
The presbyters have the responsibility for preaching and teaching. Presbyters must be praised for their faithful efforts. Presbyters must be supported when they are falsely accused of wrongdoing (sinful behavior). Sinful presbyters must also be held to account for their behavior.
Conclusion:
Labor, labored, fatigue, fatigued, cope, laboratories, deficient, deficit
In Greek Hellenism this term pertains to making a physical or mental exertion. This term can also refer to suffering from a medical condition. Being cloyed with enjoyment means being ‘wearied’ by enjoyment, (which is a puzzling notion). Perhaps being cloyed (sickened) from eating too much candy provides a better picture to work with.
In the Old Testament, toil in the present time is contrasted to the hope of salvation. Jesus draws upon Old Testament Wisdom imagery in talking about a yoke. Sirach offers a yoke of wisdom for the ignorant (untutored). With a little instruction, they gain wisdom. Jesus offers a light yoke in providing refreshment to those who are weary. In contrast, the scribes and Pharisees impose heavy burdens on others.
It is also interesting to note that the Hebrew term for wisdom is a feminine noun. The goddess of wisdom is Sophia.
Etymology: It is interesting to note that the Latin verb deficere consists of the preposition (de-), meaning not, and the verb facere, meaning to make. The Latin deficere can mean to withdraw, to fail, to fall short, to let down, to be weary, and to faint. The Latin defectus (defect) is the past participle of deficere. Essentially, this inability to produce, make, or work can make one weary, ineffective, or deficient.
Work is essentially intertwined with faith in carrying out the gospel message. We all often can reap (receive) from what others have previously produced (worked). Paul reminds us that in following Christ, some may or will experience difficulties, struggles, imprisonment, or martyrdom. Paul recognizes that he must toil harder as an apostle of Christ. It is interesting to note that the early presbyters were both rightfully (and sometimes wrongfully) accused of sinful behavior. (Does this sound familiar today?) Two are three witnesses were needed to make a valid accusation. As with today, we must hold these leaders to be good examples.
WARNING – USELESS WORD ALERT –
Acopic: Relieving weariness or unable to cope.
Current events: I don’t need to belabor the point that many of us have been fatigued, weary, discouraged, or unemployed by the lockdown, pandemic, politics, and the news.
In spite of this, I wish you the best on this Labor Day.
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