ἔργον ergon (G2041) is defined as any product or thing accomplished by hand, art, industry, or mind in the undertaking of business or employment; that which any one is occupied and undertakes to do for economic activity in trade, industry, or the creation of wealth (cf. Genesis 39:11; Exodus 20:9).
- Matthew 5:16 Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
- Matthew 23:5 But they do all their works to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the fringes of their garments
- John 3:19-21 This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light, for their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in Elohim.”
- Romans 2:5 But according to your hardness and unrepentant heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath, revelation, and of the righteous judgment of Elohim, 6 who “will pay back to everyone according to their works:” (cf. Psalms 62:12; Proverbs 24:12)
ἔργον ergon is equivalent to two Hebrew words: מְלָאכָה melachah (H4399) and מַעֲשֶׂה ma’aseh (H4639). This can make it difficult to know which Hebrew word or thought the Jewish apostles started with without seeking to understand the context. מְלָאכָה melachah (H4399) literally means “to walk for another” in the sense that occupation, work, and business is done in the obligatory service, or requirement, of another for its economic or social benefits or rewards of oneself, but mainly another in trade, industry, or the creation of wealth. מַעֲשֶׂה ma’aseh (H4639) literally means “to do” and is used as a generic verb in the sense of the making or doing of anything. Thus, מַעֲשֶׂה ma’aseh is translated as work over 180 times in the Bible and also translated as deed, thing done, act, business, pursuit, etc. מַעֲשֶׂה ma’aseh is more closely related to the Greek word πρᾶξις praxis (G4234) which is a doing, a mode of acting, a deal, a transaction as in the “acts of the apostles”; in a negative sense πρᾶξις praxis is a wicked deed, crime, or wicked doings. πρᾶξις praxis can also refer to a thing to be done as in business or economic activity.
- Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will render to everyone according to his deeds.
- Luke 23:50-51 Behold, there was a man named Joseph, who was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51 he had not consented to their counsel and deed, from Arimathaea, a city of the Judeans, who was also waiting for the Kingdom of Elohim.
- Acts 19:18 Many also of those who had believed came, confessing and declaring their deeds.
- Romans 8:13 For if you live after the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
- Romans 12:4 For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don’t have the same function
- Colossians 3:9 Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings