Bible Dictionaries
Work, Wrought

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

denotes (I) "work, employment, task," e.g., Mark 13:34; John 4:34; 17:4; Acts 13:2; Philippians 2:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:13; in Acts 5:38 with the idea of enterprise; (II) "a deed, act," (a) of God, e.g., John 6:28,29; 9:3; 10:37; 14:10; Acts 13:41; Romans 14:20; Hebrews 1:10; 2:7; 3:9; 4:3,4,10; Revelation 15:3; (b) of Christ, e.g., Matthew 11:2; especially in John, 5:36; 7:3,21; 10:25,32,33,38; 14:11,12; 15:24; Revelation 2:26; (c) of believers, e.g., Matthew 5:16; Mark 14:6; Acts 9:36; Romans 13:3; Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:3 , "work of faith," here the initial act of faith at conversion (turning to God, 1 Thessalonians 1:9 ); in 2 Thessalonians 1:11 , "every work of faith," RV, denotes every activity undertaken for Christ's sake; 2:17; 1 Timothy 2:10; 5:18; 2 Timothy 2:21; 3:17; Titus 2:7,14; 3:1,8,14; Hebrews 10:24; 13:21; frequent in James, as the effect of faith [in James 1:25 , AV, "(a doer) of the work," RV, "(a doer) that worketh"]; 1 Peter 2:12; Revelation 2:2 and in several other places in chs. 2 and 3; Revelation 14:13; (d) of unbelievers, e.g., Matthew 23:3,5; John 7:7; Acts 7:41 (for idols); Romans 13:12; Ephesians 5:11; Colossians 1:21; Titus 1:16 (1st part); 1 John 3:12; Jude 1:15 , RV; Revelation 2:6 , RV; of those who seek justification by works, e.g., Romans 9:32; Galatians 3:10; Ephesians 2:9; described as the works of the law, e.g., Galatians 2:16; 3:2,5; dead works, Hebrews 6:1; 9:14; (e) of Babylon, Revelation 18:6; (f) of the Devil, John 8:41; 1 John 3:8 . See DEED.

denotes "a work" or "business," also "a working, performance," Ephesians 4:19 , where preceded by eis, "to," it is rendered "to work" (marg., "to make a trade of"). See DILIGENCE , GAIN.

Notes: (1) In Romans 9:28 , AV, logos, "a word" (RV), is rendered "work." (2) For progma, James 3:16 , rendered "work" in AV, the RV has "deed." (3) For praxis, "a doing," Matthew 16:27 , RV marg., AV, "works," see DEED. (4) For the AV, "much work," Acts 27:16 , see DIFFICULTY. (5) For "workfellow," Romans 16:21 , AV, see WORKER , No. 2. (6) In Matthew 14:2; Mark 6:14 , AV, dunameis, "powers," RV, is translated "mighty works;" in Acts 2:22 , RV, "mighty works," AV, "miracles." (7) For "wonderful works" see WONDERFUL , Note (2).

is used (I) intransitively, e.g., Matthew 21:28; John 5:17; 9:4 (2nd part); Romans 4:4,5; 1 Corinthians 4:12; 9:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 4:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:8,10-12 (for the play upon words in ver. 11 see BUSYBODY , A); (II) transitively, (a) "to work something, produce, perform," e.g., Matthew 26:10 , "she hath wrought;" John 6:28,30; 9:4 (1st part); Acts 10:35; 13:41; Romans 2:10; 13:10; 1 Corinthians 16:10; 2 Corinthians 7:10 , in the best texts, some have No. 2; Galatians 6:10 , RV, "let us work;" Ephesians 4:28; Hebrews 11:33; 2 John 1:8; (b) "to earn by working, work for," John 6:27 , RV, "work" (AV, "labor"). See COMMIT , DO , LABOR , MINISTER , TRADE.

an emphatic form of No. 1, signifies "to work out, achieve, effect by toil," rendered "to work" (past tense, "wrought") in Romans 1:27; 2:9 , RV; 4:15 (the Law brings men under condemnation and so renders them subject to Divine wrath); 5:3; 7:8,13; 15:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17; 5:5; 7:10 (see No. 1),11; 12:12; Philippians 2:12 , where "your own salvation" refers especially to freedom from strife and vainglory; James 1:3,20; 1 Peter 4:3 . See DO , No. 5.

lit., "to work in" (en, and A, No. 1), "to be active, operative," is used of "(a) God, 1 Corinthians 12:6; Galatians 2:8; 3:5; Ephesians 1:11,20; 3:20; Philippians 2:13; Colossians 1:29; (b) the Holy Spirit, 1Cor, 12:11; (c) the Word of God. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (Middle Voice; AV, 'effectually worketh'); (d) supernatural power, undefined, Matthew 14:2; Mark 6:14; (e) faith, as the energizer of love, Galatians 5:6; (f) the example of patience in suffering, 2 Corinthians 1:6; (g) death (physical) and life (spiritual), 2 Corinthians 4:12; (h) sinful passions, Romans 7:5; (i) the spirit of the Evil One, Ephesians 2:2; (j) the mystery of iniquity, 2 Thessalonians 2:7 ." * [* From Notes on Galatians, by Hogg and Vine, pp. 114,115.]

To these may be added (k) the active response of believers to the inworking of God, Philippians 2:13 (2nd part), RV, "to work (for)," AV, "to do (of);" (l) the supplication of the righteous, James 5:16 , RV, "in its working" (AV, "effectual fervent").

"to do," is rendered "to work" in Matthew 20:12 , AV (RV, "spent"); Acts 15:12 , "had wrought;" Acts 19:11; 21:19; Hebrews 13:21; Revelation 16:14; 19:20; 21:27 , AV (RV, "maketh;" marg., "doeth"). See DO.

"to work with or together" (sun), occurs in Mark 16:20; Romans 8:28 , "work together;" 1 Corinthians 16:16 , "helpeth with;" 2 Corinthians 6:1 , "workers together," present participle, "working together;" the "with Him" represents nothing in the Greek; James 2:22 , "wrought with." See HELP.

"to become, take place," is rendered "wrought" in Mark 6:2; Acts 5:12 , "were ... wrought."