The phrase ‘Labour of Love’ gained popularity in the mid to late 80’s when UB40 released their reggae album entitled ‘Labour of Love’ featuring hits like Neil Diamond’s Red, Red Wine and Please Don’t Make Me Cry, but the etymology of this phrase has its roots in the Bible.
Twice in the King James Version of the Bible does the phrase ‘Labour of Love’ appear; once in 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 and Hebrews 6:10. Interestingly in both instances, it is used in conjunction with ‘work’ and with ‘remembrance’. In Thessalonians, Apostle Paul writes that the he and his fellow workers (Timothy and Silvanus) thank God for the church in Thessalonica by remembering their work of faith and labour of love. In Hebrews, the writer reminds all that God is not unrighteous to forget the work and labour of love, shown in God’s name.
So what is the labour of love? The meaning to the phrase ‘labour of love’ is work that is undertaken for the pleasure of it or for the benefit of a loved one. So what kind of work is this? The best example who has demonstrated the labour of love is none other than Jesus Christ. Christ’s labour of love was that He endured the cross for the joy (pleasure) that was set before Him (Hebrews 12:2) for the benefit of the ones He loved – you and me (1 Peter 3:18).
Likewise our labour of love must be the same, wherein we must endure the cross (Jesus said pick up our cross and follow him – Matthew 16:24) for the joy (pleasure) of the reward of being called Faithful set before us, for the benefit of the one we love (God and his people). And we can be sure of one thing that, our labour of love a.k.a. our work for the Lord that is undertaken for the pleasure of it or for the benefit of Him, whom we love, will not be forgotten by THE RIGHTEOUS GOD.
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 (KJV)
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
Hebrews 6:10 (KJV)
10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
