What does ἔργον · θεός mean in the Bible?
ἔργον · θεός is a Greek phrase meaning "work of God; what God is building or doing".
Greek · G2041, G2316
ἔργον τοῦ θεοῦ
Toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act · God
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
ἔργονG2041toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
Pronunciationérgon
Work as visible deed or accomplishment, whether human action or divine work, emphasizing observable result over mere intention.
Open lexicon entry →θεόςG2316God
Pronunciationtheós
The definite article marks God as the one true God; anarthrous form emphasizes His divine nature or character.
Open lexicon entry →What does ἔργον τοῦ θεοῦ (ergon tou theou) mean in the Bible?
ἔργον · θεός is a Greek phrase meaning "work of God; what God is building or doing".
Full entry for ἔργον τοῦ θεοῦ (G2041, G2316) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for G2041, G2316?
G2041, G2316 is connected to 169 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Greek phrase. work of God; what God is building or doing
Source Gloss
work of God; what God is building or doing
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
This word appears as a noun across 8 case and number patterns. The form changes show how the word functions in a sentence; they do not change the basic lexical meaning by themselves.
Form patterns8Aligned forms169Case patternAccusative (74)Number patternPlural (113)
Nominative · Plural · NeuterJohn 3:19 · John 3:20 · John 3:21 · John 5:36 · John 7:7 · John 9:3 · John 10:25 · Gal 5:19 · 1 Tim 5:25 · Heb 1:10 · 2 Pet 3:10 · 1 John 3:12 · Rev 14:13 · Rev 15:315×
Nominative · Singular · NeuterJohn 6:29 · Acts 5:38 · 1 Cor 3:13 · 1 Cor 3:14 · 1 Cor 3:15 · 1 Cor 9:1 · Rev 22:127×
Genitive · Plural · NeuterMatt 11:19 · Acts 9:36 · Rom 3:20 · Rom 3:27 · Rom 3:28 · Rom 4:2 · Rom 4:6 · Rom 9:12 · Rom 9:32 · Rom 11:6 · Gal 2:16 · Gal 3:2 · Gal 3:5 · Gal 3:10 · Eph 2:9 · 1 Tim 2:1042×
Genitive · Singular · NeuterJohn 10:33 · Rom 2:7 · Phil 1:22 · 1 Thess 1:3 · 1 Tim 3:1 · 2 Tim 4:18 · Heb 6:10 · Jas 1:258×
Dative · Plural · NeuterLuke 11:48 · John 10:38 · Acts 7:22 · Acts 7:41 · Eph 2:10 · Eph 5:11 · Col 1:21 · 1 Tim 5:10 · 1 Tim 6:18 · Titus 1:16 · Jas 2:22 · 2 Pet 2:8 · 2 John 1:1113×
Dative · Singular · NeuterLuke 24:19 · Rom 13:3 · Rom 15:18 · 1 Cor 15:58 · 2 Cor 10:11 · Col 1:10 · Col 3:17 · 2 Thess 2:17 · 1 Tim 5:10 · 1 John 3:1810×
Accusative · Plural · NeuterMatt 5:16 · Matt 11:2 · Matt 23:3 · Matt 23:5 · John 5:20 · John 6:28 · John 7:3 · John 8:39 · John 8:41 · John 9:4 · John 10:32 · John 10:37 · John 14:10 · John 14:11 · John 14:12 · John 15:2443×
Accusative · Singular · NeuterMatt 26:10 · Mark 13:34 · Mark 14:6 · John 4:34 · John 7:21 · John 10:32 · John 17:4 · Acts 13:2 · Acts 13:41 · Acts 14:26 · Acts 15:38 · Rom 2:15 · Rom 14:20 · 1 Cor 3:13 · 1 Cor 5:2 · 1 Cor 16:1031×
Word Origins
ἔργον τοῦ θεοῦ is from an obsolete root - no further derivation.