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| Occupation <ref name="term_56751" />
| | == King James Dictionary <ref name="term_61786" /> == |
| <p> <b> OCCUPATION. </b> —This word is not found in the Gospels. It occurs elsewhere twice in the [[ Authorized]] [[Version]] ( Acts 18:3 [ τέχνη] and Acts 19:25 [ περὶ τὰ τοιαῦτα]). ‘Occupy,’ in the sense of ‘do business,’ ‘traffic,’ ‘trade’ (so [[ Revised]] Version NT 1881, OT 1885 ), is found in Authorized Version of Luke 19:13 as the rendering of πραγματεύομαι. Christ, as well as His reputed father, was Himself an artificer in wood, or a carpenter ( τέκτων). [[Every]] [[Jewish] ] boy, indeed, had to learn a trade ( τέχνη), that it might stand between him and destitution if, other resources failed. And however far removed our Lord might be in later life from <i> quondam </i> fellow-craftsmen, this technical education kept Him in touch with His industrial compatriots. </p> <p> Our Lord’s attitude towards the various occupations in which men are engaged is of more interest than details regarding the occupations themselves. [[Judaism]] in Christ’s day had lost hold of the masses, because its ministers urged a law viewed by themselves in false perspective. [[Christ]] denounced them for tithing mint, anise, and cummin, while omitting the weightier matters, judgment, mercy, and faith ( Matthew 23:23). [[ Hence]] work and worship were largely divorced. People indulged in pagan-like worry over the question, What shall we eat, and what shall we drink, and wherewith shall we be clothed? instead of seeking first the [[ Kingdom]] of God and His righteousness ( Matthew 6:31 ff. ). But Christ’s strenuous example proved the possibility of being diligent in business , fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. ‘I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night Cometh, when no man can work’ ( John 9:4 ). He never allowed danger to interfere with duty—‘Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him’ ( John 11:9-10). Christ poured contempt on that monastic spirit which creates artificial distinctions and exalts religious officials, devoid of religious motives, at the expense of those who, though engaged in less responsible callings, are more devout. He reprobated the [[Pharisee]] who thanked God for his superiority to other men; and justified the [[Publican]] who was a butt for his fellow-worshipper’s sneers ( Luke 18:10 ff.). He rebuked Simon, haughtily hospitable, and commended the kindly woman, whose love exceeded her pride ( Luke 7:44 ff.). He held up the priest and [[Levite]] to perennial scorn; and crowned with approbation that [[Samaritan]] who proved more humane, if he did not profess to be as holy as they ( Luke 10:30 ff.). St. Luke relates with professional delight how [[Jesus]] defended His own act of healing on the [[Sabbath]] day, against the false spirituality that saw in it a breach of the [[Fourth]] [[Commandment]] ( Luke 13:15 f., Luke 14:3 ff.). </ p> <p> A legitimate inference from all this is that our Lord—with His healthy outlook on life—would encourage all the honest occupations which ministered to man’s varied needs. The Apostles’ teaching surely reflected the mind of their [[Master]] on this subject. If eating and drinking could contribute to the glory of God ( 1 Corinthians 10: 31), then all the occupations which provided food and drink could be pursued in the same spirit. St. Paul enjoins on bishops and other teachers of the gospel to inculcate upon [[Christians]] that they should maintain good works for necessary uses ( Titus 3:14) . That means for the support of themselves and families, and relief of the needy. This is a duty as imperative in its own place as the duty of the ministry, and the [[Apostle]] lays great stress on it. ‘This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men’ ( Titus 3:8), <i> i.e. </i> of general benefit and advantage to mankind. Thus a man’s occupation , instead of being a hindrance to religion, is a part of it,—that sphere in which he can prove himself a doer of the word,—and faithfulness is required there as much as anywhere else ( Luke 16:10). See also artt. Business, Carpenter, Trades. </p> <p> Literature. —Besides Lexicons, see articles on ‘Craft,’ ‘Trade,’ and ‘Trades’ in Hasting's [[Dictionary]] of the [[Bible]] ; Tillotson, [[Sermon]] 101 vol. vi.; Delitzsch, < i> Jewish [[Artisan]] Life </ i> . </ p> <p> D. A. Mackinnon. </p> | | <p> [[Occupa'Tion,]] n. [[L.]] occupatio. </p> 1. The act of taking possession. 2. [[Possession]] a holding or keeping tenure use as lands in the occupation of [[Ab.]] 3. That which engages the time and attention employment business. He devotes to study all the time that his other occupations will permit. 4. The principal business of one's life vocation calling trade the business which a man follows to procure a living or obtain wealth. Agriculture, manufactures and commerce furnish the most general occupations of life. Painting, statuary, music, are agreeable occupations. Men not engaged in some useful occupation commonly fall into vicious courses. |
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| | == Webster's Dictionary <ref name="term_149904" /> == |
| | <p> '''(1 ): ''' ''' (''' n.) The act or process of occupying or taking possession; actual possession and control; the state of being occupied; a holding or keeping; tenure; use; as, the occupation of lands by a tenant. </p> <p> '''(2):''' ''' (''' n. ) That which occupies or engages the time and attention; the principal business of one's life; vocation; employment; calling; trade. < /p> |
| | |
| | == Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words <ref name="term_78575" /> == |
| | Acts 18:3 Acts 19:25 |
| | |
| | == Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament <ref name="term_56750" /> == |
| | <p> See Labour, Work. </p> |
| | |
| ==References == | | ==References == |
| <references> | | <references> |
| <ref name="term_56751"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/hastings-dictionary-of-the-new-testament/occupation+(2) Occupation from Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament]</ref> | | |
| | <ref name="term_61786"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/king-james-dictionary/occupation Occupation from King James Dictionary]</ref> |
| | |
| | <ref name="term_149904"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/webster-s-dictionary/occupation Occupation from Webster's Dictionary]</ref> |
| | |
| | <ref name="term_78575"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/vine-s-expository-dictionary-of-nt-words/occupation Occupation from Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words]</ref> |
| | |
| | <ref name="term_56750"> [https://bibleportal.com/dictionary/hastings-dictionary-of-the-new-testament/occupation Occupation from Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament]</ref> |
| | |
| </references> | | </references> |
King James Dictionary [1]
Occupa'Tion, n. L. occupatio.
1. The act of taking possession. 2. Possession a holding or keeping tenure use as lands in the occupation of Ab. 3. That which engages the time and attention employment business. He devotes to study all the time that his other occupations will permit. 4. The principal business of one's life vocation calling trade the business which a man follows to procure a living or obtain wealth. Agriculture, manufactures and commerce furnish the most general occupations of life. Painting, statuary, music, are agreeable occupations. Men not engaged in some useful occupation commonly fall into vicious courses.
Webster's Dictionary [2]
(1): ( n.) The act or process of occupying or taking possession; actual possession and control; the state of being occupied; a holding or keeping; tenure; use; as, the occupation of lands by a tenant.
(2): ( n.) That which occupies or engages the time and attention; the principal business of one's life; vocation; employment; calling; trade.
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words [3]
Acts 18:3 Acts 19:25
Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament [4]
See Labour, Work.
References
