κοπιάω

kopiáō /kop-ee-ah'-o/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom a derivative of κόπος
Meaningto feel fatigue; by implication, to work hard
KJV usage(bestow) labour, toil, be wearied.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word kopiáō, represented by G2872, signifies a deep sense of fatigue that comes from hard work. It appears 28 times across 21 unique verses in the Bible. Its base definition is to feel fatigue; by implication, to work hard, and it is translated as to labour, toil, or be wearied.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, G2872 is used to describe various forms of intense effort. It conveys the physical exhaustion of Jesus, who was wearied with his journey and sat by the well John 4:6. It is also used in Jesus's invitation to "all ye that labour and are heavy laden" to come to him for rest Matthew 11:28. The Apostle Paul uses it to describe his own tireless ministry, stating that by God's grace he laboured more abundantly than all the other apostles 1 Corinthians 15:10. The word can also refer to manual labor, such as when Simon Peter and the disciples toiled all night fishing and caught nothing Luke 5:5.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help define the scope of strenuous effort and its results:

  • G75 agōnízomai (to struggle, labor fervently, strive): This term often appears with G2872 to describe an intense, focused effort. Paul describes his ministry as a form of labour where he is striving according to God's power working in him Colossians 1:29.
  • G2038 ergázomai (to toil, work): This word points to the act of working as a task or occupation. It is used to clarify the nature of the labor, such as when believers are encouraged to labour, working with their own hands Ephesians 4:28.
  • G2577 kámnō (to tire, faint, be wearied): This term describes the point of giving up from exhaustion. It is used in direct connection with G2872 to praise the church in Revelation, which had laboured and had not fainted Revelation 2:3.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G2872 is significant, highlighting the nature of Christian service and endurance.

  • The Cost of Ministry: The word is consistently used to describe the demanding work of apostles and elders. Paul links his labour with suffering reproach 1 Timothy 4:10, and elders who labour in the word and doctrine are considered worthy of double honour 1 Timothy 5:17.
  • Purposeful Exertion vs. Vain Toil: Paul expresses his fear that he might have bestowed labour in vain upon the Galatians Galatians 4:11. Conversely, his goal is to hold forth the word of life so that he has not laboured in vain Philippians 2:16.
  • Invitation to Rest: The concept of toiling is a prerequisite for the rest offered by Christ. The invitation in Matthew 11:28 is specifically for those who labour and are overburdened, promising relief from their weariness.

Summary

In summary, G2872 illustrates a type of work that goes beyond ordinary effort to the point of exhaustion. It captures the physical weariness of human life, the strenuous dedication required for ministry, and the spiritual fatigue that Jesus offers to relieve. This word demonstrates that while the Christian life involves intense labor and striving, its ultimate foundation is not the work itself, but the grace of God that both empowers the labor and provides the final rest.

Grammatical Forms

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 24 occurrences, inflected in 19 grammatical forms.

  • Aorist Active Indicative 1st Singular 2×
  • Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular 2×
  • Perfect Active Indicative 2nd Singular 2×
  • Present Active Indicative 1st Plural 2×
  • Present Active Participle Accusative Plural Masculine 2×
  • Aorist Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
  • Perfect Active Indicative 1st Singular 1×
  • Perfect Active Indicative 2nd Plural 1×
  • Perfect Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
  • Perfect Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
  • Present Active Imperative 3rd Singular 1×
  • Present Active Indicative 1st Singular 1×

+ 7 rarer forms

Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Accusative
The direct object of the verb.
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Aorist
Action viewed as a single whole — usually a simple past event.
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 21 verses across 14 books. Most frequent in 1 Corinthians (3 verses).

2
Matthew
2
Luke
2
John
1
Acts
2
Romans
3
1 Corinthians
1
Galatians
1
Ephesians
1
Philippians
1
Colossians
1
1 Thessalonians
2
1 Timothy
1
2 Timothy
1
Revelation

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