"|My| fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life." (Philippians 4:3)
This is the day our country has set aside to honor labor. The so-called "Protestant ethic" has long been a strength of our culture, since honest and diligent work is a clear principle in the Scriptures upon which the "new world" was founded.
The New Testament, however, encourages and exhorts Christians to concentrate on Kingdom labor, using "gold, silver, precious stones" (1 Corinthians 3:12) that will build "treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6:20), insuring that our works will follow us into eternity (Revelation 14:13).
The foundational term is "fellowservants," composed of the Greek preposition sun and the word doulos. The simplest meaning of the word is "one who serves the same master." Epaphras and Tychicus (Colossians 1:7 and 4:7) were "dear" and "faithful" fellowservants with Paul.
The martyrs resting under the altar in heaven were told to wait until their fellowservants and their brethren would join them (Revelation 6:11). Those who love the Lord Jesus are fellowlaborers serving the same Master.
Once, the term "fellowdisciples" is cited (John 11:16) to show the bond that had grown between those who were learning the same things.
Thirteen times the Greek word sunergos is selected by the Holy Spirit in the New Testament to identify work done for the same purpose--fellowlaborer, helper, worker. Here the emphasis is on names--a list of 16 specific people who labored with Paul in the ministry.
Would God that our names be so recognized "that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth" (3 John 8). HMM III
