BIBLE GREEK WORD STUDY
Ergon — Meaning & Usage in the Bible
Ergon (ἔργον) denotes toil as effort or occupation, and by implication any deed or act performed.
Meaning of the word
Ergon is a common Greek noun rendered "work," "deed," or "labor." At its root it refers to toil or effort expended in activity, then extends naturally to the product of that effort — the act itself. This dual sense (the doing and the deed done) is visible throughout the New Testament.
The word covers a wide spectrum: the labor one undertakes as a task or occupation, the visible acts that flow from a person's character, and the broader category of deeds that can be evaluated as good or evil. Because ergon describes what someone actually does, it readily becomes a category by which that person is judged.
Usage in Scripture
In the Gospels ergon frequently describes the deeds of Jesus and of His followers. Matthew 5:16 speaks of "good works" that glorify the Father, while John 14:12 promises that believers will do the works of Christ and even greater works. John 3:20–21 contrasts evil works, which flee the light, with works wrought in God, which come into the light.
In Romans ergon becomes a theological centerpiece. Romans 2:7 speaks of "well-doing" (literally good work) seeking eternal life, and 2:15 refers to "the work of the law" written on the heart. Yet Romans 3:20 and 3:28 sharply insist that no flesh is justified before God by "the works of the law" — justification is by faith apart from works. Thus ergon in Paul is both the arena in which faith is lived out and the category that cannot itself secure righteousness.
The word in detail
- G2041 Ergon (ἔργον) primarily denotes toil or effort as an occupation, then by implication the act or deed that results. It is the standard New Testament term for "work" in the sense of deeds, both human and divine.
Example verses
- Matthew 5:16 "Good works" are visible deeds that flow from inner light and exist to direct glory to the Father, not to the doer.
- John 14:12 The works Christ does are the model and source for the greater works believers will perform through His departure to the Father.
- Romans 3:20 "Works of the law" cannot justify any person; their role is to bring the knowledge of sin, not righteousness.
- Romans 3:28 Justification is by faith apart from works of the law — a foundational Pauline conclusion about how a person is declared righteous.
Common questions
What does ergon mean in simple terms?
Ergon means work in the sense of toil or effort, and by extension any deed or act that results from that effort.
Is ergon always positive in the New Testament?
No. It is modified by adjectives: "good works" (Matthew 5:16), "evil works" (John 3:19), and "works of the law" (Romans 3:20). The word itself is neutral; context determines moral quality.
How does Paul use ergon in Romans?
Paul uses ergon both for deeds that demonstrate faith ("well-doing," Romans 2:7) and for "works of the law" that cannot justify (Romans 3:20, 28). The contrast shows that works evidence faith but do not earn righteousness.