ἐργάζομαι
ergazomai
I work
middle voice from ἔργον; to toil (as a task, occupation, etc.), (by implication) effect, be engaged in or with, etc.:--commit, do, labor for, minister about, trade (by), work.
Acts 13:41 · Word #10
Lexicon G2038
| Lemma | ἐργάζομαι |
| Transliteration | ergázomai |
| Strong's | G2038 |
| In-context | I work |
| Literal | I-work-present |
Morphology V PRS MID IND 1P SG
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | V — Verb — An action or state of being |
| Tense | PRS — Present — Ongoing or repeated action |
| Voice | MID — Middle — The subject acts on itself or in its own interest |
| Mood | IND — Indicative — States a fact or reality |
| Person | 1P — 1st person — The speaker ("I" / "we") |
| Number | SG — Singular — One |
Lexical Info
| Lemma | ἐργάζομαι |
| Strong's | G2038 |
SIBI-P1 G2038-10
I am laboring for myself
| Root | ἐργάζομαι (ergazomai) |
| Core Meanings | to work, to labor, to accomplish, to effect, to engage in task or occupation |
| Semantic Range | to work, to labor, to carry out, to accomplish, to produce, to practice, to commit, to earn by trade, to perform a deed |
| Conceptual Significance | In biblical usage, ἐργάζομαι emphasizes active, purposeful engagement in deeds—whether righteous works, sinful acts, or vocational labor. The middle voice often underscores personal responsibility and involvement, highlighting the moral and spiritual weight of one's actions before Elohim. |
| Morphological Notes | Verb, present middle indicative, 1st person singular (Gr,V,IPM1,,S,): ongoing action performed with personal involvement or self-interest by the speaker. |
| Rendering Rationale | The rendering preserves the root sense derived from ἔργον (work, deed) by expressing active engagement in labor. The present tense reflects ongoing action ("am laboring"), and the middle voice is conveyed by "for myself," indicating personal involvement or self-interest in the action. The first-person singular indicative is represented by "I am." |
AI-generated (openai/gpt-5.2-chat-latest)
Word Usage (41 occurrences of G2038)
| Location | Form | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew 7:23 | ἐργαζόμενοι | ergazomenoi | |
| Matthew 21:28 | ἐργάζου | ergazou | |
| Matthew 25:16 | ἠργάσατο | ergasato |