Early Christian Views on Work and Employment

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Supporting witness

...offspring. For these alone are lawful according to the Word. Certainly for those who share in God's work in the labor of bringing forth life, seed must not be thrown away, or wronged, or sown as if you were ordering seed to be sown in horns. Therefore Moses himself also forbids intercourse even with one's own wife if she is held by her monthly purifications. For it is not right to pollute generative seed, and that which will soon become a human being, with the body's cleansing discharge, nor to flood and bury it in the dirty flow of matter and in the impurities that are being expelled. For the seed of generation is damaged and made unfit if it is deprived of the furrows of the womb. Nor did any of the ancient Hebrews ever present a man having intercourse with his own wife while she was pregnant. For pleasure alone, even if someone uses it in marriage, is against law, unjust, and contrary to reason. Again, Moses draws men away from pregnant women until they have given birth. For in truth the womb is placed under the bladder and above the intestine called the rectum. It stretches its neck between the shoulders of the bladder, and the mouth of the neck, into which seed comes, is cl

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

28. Oh, what a mockery of a deceived brotherhood! Oh, what a useless deception of miserable and senseless mourners! Oh, what an ineffective and profitless tradition of heretical teaching! They urge our brothers to the repentance that makes atonement, and then take away the healing that comes from that atonement. They say to our brothers, "Mourn and shed tears, and groan day and night, and work greatly and often for the washing away and cleansing of your sin." But after all these things, they say, you shall die outside the bounds of the Church. You shall do whatever things are necessary for peace, but you shall receive none of the peace that you seek. Who would not perish at once? Who would not fall away out of complete despair? Who would not turn his mind away from every purpose of mourning? Do you think a farmer could keep working if you said, "Till the field with all the skill of farming. Persevere diligently in cultivating it. But you shall reap no harvest. You shall press no grapes for wine. You shall receive no fruit from your olive yard. You shall gather no apples from the trees"? Or if you urged someone to own and use ships, and said, "Buy, my brother, timber from the best w

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

... ought not to be too curious about those who live wickedly, but should be focused on our own proper work.

Unknown, Unknown Work Supporting witness

neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needs.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 Direct teaching

For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

2 Thessalonians 3:12 Supporting witness

Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

1 Thessalonians 2:9 Direct teaching

For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

Ignatius, Epistles of Ignatius Supporting witness

...ectful fear. Masters, give orders to your servants with kindness. Let no one among you be idle; for idleness leads to need. I do not command these things as a person of any importance, though I am in bonds for Christ; but as a brother, I remind you of them. The Lord be with you!

Ignatius, Epistles of Ignatius Supporting witness

No one who is addicted to idleness should eat, so they don't become a wanderer and a whoremonger. Let drunkenness, anger, envy, reviling, clamor, and blasphemy "not even be mentioned among you." Widows should not live a life of pleasure, or they may turn against the word. Be subject to Caesar in everything that poses no spiritual danger. Do not provoke those who rule over you to anger, so that you do not give an opportunity to those who are looking for one. It is unnecessary to write to you about practices like magic, impure love of boys, or murder, as such vices are forbidden even by the Gentiles. I am not issuing commands on these points as if I were an apostle; rather, as your fellow servant, I remind you of them.

Ignatius, Epistles of Ignatius Supporting witness

Let no one among you be idle; for idleness is the mother of want.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

For certainly idleness is the mother of famine.

Didache, Connection to 2 Thessalonians 3:10 Direct teaching

But if he willeth to abide with you, being an artisan, let him work and eat; but if he hath no trade, according to your understanding see to it that, as a Christian, he shall not live with you idle. But if he willeth not to do, he is a Christ-monger. Watch that ye keep aloof from such.

Tertullian, On Idolatry Direct teaching

Again, they say the same apostle has left a precept, according to his own example, That each one work with his own hands for a living.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

but rather let him labour, working that which is good (and to work is to labour in seeking the truth;

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

But by minding your own trade and employment, endeavour to do what is acceptable to God.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

For we ourselves, besides our attention to the word of the Gospel, do not neglect our inferior employments.

1 Thessalonians 4:11 Direct teaching

And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

1 Corinthians 4:12 Supporting witness

and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure;

2 Thessalonians 3:8 Supporting witness

nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you.

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Supporting witness

...onomy 5. And so on. These things must be kept, along with whatever else is commanded in reading the Bible. And by Isaiah He commands us: "Wash yourselves, and make yourselves clean. Put away wickedness from your souls before my eyes. Learn to do good. Seek judgment. Rescue the wronged. Judge for the orphan, and justify the widow. And come, and let us reason together," says the Lord. And we will find many examples in other places also. For example, about prayer, Scripture says, "Good works are an acceptable prayer to the Lord." And the manner of prayer is described: "If you see the naked, cover him, and do not overlook those who belong to your own seed. Then your light shall break forth early, and your healing shall spring up quickly; and your righteousness shall go before you, and the glory of God shall surround you." What, then, is the fruit of such prayer? "Then you shall call, and God will hear you; while you are still speaking, He will say, 'I am here.'"

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

...n charity rather to the latter woman. But if anyone is in need because of gluttony, drunkenness, or idleness, he does not deserve any help, or to be considered a member of the Church of God. For Scripture, speaking about such people, says, "The slothful hides his hand in his bosom, and is not able to bring it to his mouth again," Proverbs 19:24. And again, "The sluggard folds up his hands, and eats his own flesh," Ecclesiastes 4:5. "For every drunkard and whoremonger shall come to poverty, and every drowsy person shall be clothed with tatters and rags." And in another passage, "If you give your eyes to drinking and cups, you shall afterward walk more naked than a pestle." For certainly idleness is the mother of famine.

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

For although there seem to be tares in the Church, our faith and our love ought not to be hindered by that. We should not withdraw from the Church because we see that there are tares in the Church. We ought only to work so that we may be wheat, so that when the wheat begins to be gathered into the Lord's barns, we may receive fruit for our labor and work. The apostle says in his epistle, "In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and earth, and some for honor and some for dishonor." 2 Timothy 2:20 Let us strive, dearest brothers, and work as much as we possibly can, so that we may be vessels of gold or silver. But it is given to the Lord alone to break the vessels of earth, and to Him also the rod of iron is given. The servant cannot be greater than his lord, nor may anyone claim for himself what the Father has given to the Son alone, so as to think that he can take up the winnowing fan and cleanse the threshing floor, or separate all the tares from the wheat by human judgment. That is a proud stubbornness and a sacrilegious presumption that corrupt madness claims for itself. And while some are always claiming for themselves more authority tha

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

...top her whoredom, or else let her be rejected. If a maker of idols comes, let him either leave that work, or let him be rejected. If anyone connected with the theater comes, whether man or woman, or a charioteer, or dueler, or racer, or one who competes for prizes, or an Olympic contestant, or one who plays the pipe, the lute, or the harp at those games, or a dancing-master, or a huckster, let them either leave those occupations, or let them be rejected. If a soldier comes, let him be taught to do no injustice, to accuse no one falsely, and to be content with his assigned wages, Luke 3:14. If he submits to those rules, let him be received. But if he refuses them, let him be rejected. He who is guilty of sins not to be named, a sodomite, an effeminate person, a magician, an enchanter, an astrologer, a diviner, a user of magic verses, a juggler, a mountebank, one who makes amulets, a charmer, a soothsayer, a fortune-teller, or an observer of palmistry; and he who, when he meets you, watches defects in the eyes or feet of birds or cats, or listens to noises or symbolic sounds: let these be tested for some time, because this kind of wickedness is hard to wash away. If they leave tho

Ephesians 4:28 Direct teaching

Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

Wisdom of Sirach 16:14 Supporting witness

Make way for every work of mercy: For every man shall find according to his works.

2 Chronicles 15:7 Supporting witness

But be ye strong, and let not your hands be weakened: for there is a reward for your work.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book II Direct teaching

When they further assert that they must experience every type of work and behavior, so that, if possible, by doing everything in this life they might immediately reach perfection, they are never found striving to do those things that accompany virtue, which are laborious, glorious, and skillful, and which are universally accepted as good. For if it is necessary to go through every work and kind of operation, they should, first of all, learn all the arts: all of them, whether theoretical or practical, whether acquired through self-denial or mastered by labor, exercise, and perseverance; for example, every kind of music, arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and all intellectual pursuits. Then, again, they should engage in the whole study of medicine and the knowledge of plants to understand those prepared for human health; the art of painting and sculpture, working with brass and marble, and related arts. Moreover, they should study every kind of agriculture, veterinary art, pastoral tasks, and the various forms of skilled labor that are said to encompass the entirety of human effort; also those associated with seafaring, gymnastics, hunting, military and royal pursuits, and as many othe

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

...ineyard. She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms. She tastes that it is good to labour. Her lamp goes not out all the whole night. She stretches out her arms for useful work, and lays her hands to the spindle. She opens her hands to the needy. Yes, she reaches forth her hands to the poor. Her husband takes no care of the affairs of his house, for all that are with her are clothed with double garments. She makes coats for her husband, clothings of silk and purple. Her husband is eminent in the gates, when he sits with the elders of the land. She makes fine linen, and sells it to the Phoenicians, and girdles to the Canaanites. She is clothed with glory and beauty, and she rejoices in the last days. She opens her mouth with wisdom and discretion, and puts her words in order. The ways of her household are strict. She eats not the bread of idleness. She will open her mouth with wisdom and caution, and upon her tongue are the laws of mercy. Her children arise up and praise her for her riches, and her husband joins in her praises. Many daughters have obtained wealth and done worthily, but you surpass and excel them all. May lying flatteries and the vain beauty of a

Dionysius of Alexandria, Miscellaneous Fragments Supporting witness

So, then, we have the ministry of the hands, by which all kinds of works are wrought, and all skilful professions practised, and which have all their various faculties furnished them, with a view to the discharge of one common function;

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book II Supporting witness

the art of painting and sculpture, brass and marble work, and the kindred arts: moreover, [they have to study] every kind of country labour, the veterinary art, pastoral occupations, the various kinds of skilled labour, which are said to pervade the whole circle of [human] exertion;

Theophilus of Antioch, To Autolycus Supporting witness

Theophilus to Autolycus, greetings: Since writers like to produce many books for empty glory—some about gods, wars, and chronology, and some also about useless legends, and other such work done in vain—and you too have been accustomed to spend your time on these things until now, and have not minded enduring that labor; yet even though you have talked with me, you still think that the word of truth is an idle tale, and suppose that our writings are recent and modern. For this reason, I also will not refuse the labor of briefly setting before you, with God's help, the antiquity of our books. I will remind you of it in a few words, so that you may not refuse the labor of reading it, but may recognize the folly of the other authors.

Ignatius, Epistle to the Philadelphians (Long Version) Supporting witness

... of the Lord,” and teach them the holy Scriptures, and also trades, so that they may not indulge in idleness. Now the Scripture says, “A righteous father educates his children well; his heart shall rejoice in a wise son.” Masters, be gentle towards your servants, as holy Job has taught you; for there is one nature, and one family of mankind. For “in Christ there is neither bond nor free.” Let governors be obedient to Caesar; soldiers to those that command them; deacons to the presbyters, as to high priests; the presbyters, deacons, and the rest of the clergy, together with all the people, soldiers, governors, and Caesar himself, to the bishop; the bishop to Christ, just as Christ to the Father. And thus unity is preserved throughout. Let not the widows be wanderers, nor fond of dainties, nor going from house to house, but let them be like Judith, noted for her seriousness; and like Anna, known for her sobriety. I do not ordain these things as an apostle: for “who am I, or what is my father’s house,” that I should pretend to be equal in honor to them? But as your “fellow-soldier,” I hold the position of one who simply admonishes you.

Isaiah 44:12 Background

The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint.

Wisdom of Sirach 38:28 Background

The smith also sitting by the anvil, And considering the iron work, The vapor of the fire wasteth his flesh, And he fighteth with the heat of the furnace: The noise of the hammer and the anvil is ever in his ears, And his eyes look still upon the pattern of the thing that he maketh; He setteth his mind to finish his work, And watcheth to polish it perfectly:

Wisdom of Sirach 38:27 Background

So every carpenter and workmaster, That laboreth night and day: And they that cut and grave seals, And are diligent to make great variety, And give themselves to counterfeit imagery, And watch to finish a work:

2 Chronicles 2:13 Background

(his mother was of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a Tyrian), skilled to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in stones and wood; and to weave with purple, and blue, and fine linen, and scarlet; and to engrave, and to understand every device, whatsoever thou shalt give him to do with thy craftsmen, and the craftsmen of my lord David thy father.

1 Kings 7:2 Background

the son of a widow woman; and he was of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a Tyrian; a worker in brass, and accomplished in art and skill and knowledge to work every work in brass: and he was brought in to King Solomon, and he wrought all the works.

Exodus 31:5 Background

And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.

Tertullian, Against Marcion Background

For when it says of the Sabbath day, In it you shall not do any work of yours, Exodus 20:16 by the word yours it restricts the prohibition to human work — which every one performs in his own employment or business — and not to divine work.

Tertullian, Against Marcion Background

...cause He maintains the honor of the Sabbath as a day that is to be free from gloom rather than from work; because He puts David and his companions on the same level with His own disciples in both their fault and their excuse; because He is pleased to approve the Creator's indulgence; because He is Himself good according to His example, is He therefore alien from the Creator? Then the Pharisees watch whether He would heal on the Sabbath day, Luke 6:7, so that they might accuse Him. Surely they meant to accuse Him as a violator of the Sabbath, not as the teacher of a new god. For perhaps I might be content to insist on every occasion on this one point, that another Christ is nowhere proclaimed. The Pharisees, however, were completely mistaken about the law of the Sabbath. They did not observe that its terms were conditional when it commanded rest from labor, making certain distinctions of labor. For when it says of the Sabbath day, "In it you shall not do any work of yours," Exodus 20:16, by the words "of yours" it limits the prohibition to human work, which each person does in his own employment or business, and not to divine work. Now the work of healing or preserving belongs no

Ignatius, Epistle to the Magnesians (Long Version) Background

... save us." Let us therefore no longer keep the Sabbath in the Jewish manner, and rejoice in days of idleness; for "he that does not work, let him not eat." For say the [holy] oracles, "In the sweat of your face shall you eat your bread." But let each of you keep the Sabbath in a spiritual manner, rejoicing in meditation on the law, not in relaxation of the body, admiring the craftsmanship of God, and not eating things prepared the day before, nor using lukewarm drinks, and walking within a prescribed space, nor finding delight in dancing and applause which have no sense in them. And after the observance of the Sabbath, let every friend of Christ keep the Lord’s Day as a festival, the resurrection day, the queen and chief of all the days [of the week]. Looking forward to this, the prophet declared, "To the end, for the eighth day," on which our life both sprang up again, and the victory over death was obtained in Christ, whom the children of perdition, the enemies of the Saviour, deny, "whose god is their belly, who mind earthly things," who are "lovers of pleasure, and not lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." These make merchandise of Christ

Ignatius, Epistle to the Magnesians (Long Version) Background

for “he that does not work, let him not eat.” For say the [holy] oracles, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread.” But let every one of you keep the Sabbath after a spiritual manner, rejoicing in meditation on the law, not in relaxation of the body, admiring the workmanship of God, and not eating things prepared the day before, nor using lukewarm drinks, and walking within a prescribed space, nor finding delight in dancing and plaudits which have no sense in them.

Exodus 34:21 Background

Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: there shall be rest in seedtime and harvest.

Exodus 20:9 Background

Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

Deuteronomy 5:13 Background

Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work: