Diligence

The Greek noun that is translated to diligence is ERGASIA which means "a working" such as a work in progress. As in the old days, everyone needed to supply their very best effort to see to the common goal of all the workers. This was in the days before they had cranes, forklifts, trucks and other modern conveniences. The word also means as if to work in a craft. Whereas you would apply yourself more diligently to your craft than what you would a hobby or someone else's work.

The second Greek noun is SPOUDE and carries the meanings of earnestness, zeal, or sometimes haste accompanying this. In a few senses it carries the idea of being careful in what you are doing. If your trade was a pharmist, you would be very careful to read every label and also be very careful to give out ONLY the number that the doctor had prescribed. You would be diligent.

How the word is used most often in the bible is in the form of a verb. A verb is a word describing some action and that is what it is. The Greek verb is SPOUDAZO and you can tell is a derivative of the SPOUDE above. This means that we are to hasten to do a thing (as in getting a job done before quitting time).

SPOUDAZO also means to exert oneself or as I like to describe it "to make every effort". Our service to God is not something that we haphazardly do, but it is a service that we must be dedicated to and towards. Some people leave the impression that we are saved without doing anything on our part. That is as wrong as can be. Just read the Bible and see what it tells us to do. Find the word in the New Testament and see if it does not carry the thought of making our very best effort that we can offer.

Look at some words that are similar: Endeavor, Earnestness, Effort, Zealous, Labour, Making Sure, Study/Studious, Pressing Forward.

The second Greek verb that is translated Diligence is MELETAO. MELETAO signifies to care for, attend carefully. Such as you would provide for a sick relative (i.e. provide their needs, feed them, bathe them, clothe them and get them to their doctor appointments).

Some versions translate this word "meditate" or "imagine". This points to the fact that what we do for God is not something done without thinking. We must purpose in our hearts the kind of service we will give to God.

Read:
Exodous 15:26
Leveticus 10:16
Deuteronomy 4:9
Deuteronomy 6:7,17
Deuteronomy 11:13,22
Deuteronomy 13:14
Deuteronomy 19:18
Deuteronomy 24:8
Deuteronomy 28:1
Joshua 22:5
1 Kings 20:33
Ezra 7:23
Job 13:17
Job 21:2
Psalms 37:10
Psalms 64:6
Psalms 77:6
Psalms 119:4
Proverbs 4:23
Proverbs 10:4
Proverbs 11:27
Proverbs 12:24,27
Proverbs 13:4
Proverbs 21:5
Proverbs 22:29
Proverbs 23:1
Proverbs 27:23
Isaiah 21:7
Isaiah 55:2
Jeremiah 2:10
Jeremiah 12:16
Zechariah 6:15
NT
Matthew 2:7,8,16
Luke 12:58
Luke 15:8
Acts 18:25
2 Corinthians 8:7,22
1 Timothy 5:10
2 Timothy 1:17
2 Timothy 4:9,21
Titus 3:12,13
Hebrews 6:11
Hebrews 11:6
Hebrews 12:15
1 Peter 1:10
2 Peter 1:5,10
2 Peter 3:14

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