John 6:27
Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
Original Language Analysis
ἐργάζεσθε
Labour
G2038
ἐργάζεσθε
Labour
Strong's:
G2038
Word #:
1 of 28
to toil (as a task, occupation, etc.), (by implication) effect, be engaged in or with, etc
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
2 of 28
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ὁ
which
G3588
ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βρῶσιν
for that meat
G1035
βρῶσιν
for that meat
Strong's:
G1035
Word #:
4 of 28
(abstractly) eating (literally or figuratively); by extension (concretely) food (literally or figuratively)
ὁ
which
G3588
ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπολλυμένην
perisheth
G622
ἀπολλυμένην
perisheth
Strong's:
G622
Word #:
6 of 28
to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
7 of 28
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ὁ
which
G3588
ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βρῶσιν
for that meat
G1035
βρῶσιν
for that meat
Strong's:
G1035
Word #:
9 of 28
(abstractly) eating (literally or figuratively); by extension (concretely) food (literally or figuratively)
ὁ
which
G3588
ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μένουσαν
endureth
G3306
μένουσαν
endureth
Strong's:
G3306
Word #:
11 of 28
to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)
εἰς
unto
G1519
εἰς
unto
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
12 of 28
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
αἰώνιον
everlasting
G166
αἰώνιον
everlasting
Strong's:
G166
Word #:
14 of 28
perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well)
ἣν
which
G3739
ἣν
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
15 of 28
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ὁ
which
G3588
ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
υἱὸς
the Son
G5207
υἱὸς
the Son
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
17 of 28
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
ὁ
which
G3588
ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δώσει·
shall give
G1325
δώσει·
shall give
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
21 of 28
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
23 of 28
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ὁ
which
G3588
ὁ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατὴρ
the Father
G3962
πατὴρ
the Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
25 of 28
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
ἐσφράγισεν
hath
G4972
ἐσφράγισεν
hath
Strong's:
G4972
Word #:
26 of 28
to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation (literally or figuratively); by implication, to keep secret, to attest
Cross References
Colossians 3:2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.Isaiah 55:2Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.John 6:54Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.2 Timothy 2:19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.John 6:40And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.Romans 6:23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.John 10:28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.John 6:51I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.Matthew 6:19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:Acts 10:38How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Historical Context
The Father 'sealing' the Son refers to authentication, perhaps at baptism when the Spirit descended and the Father spoke. This confirms Jesus' authority to give eternal life. The Jewish audience valued hard work for physical provision; Jesus elevates spiritual pursuit above material concerns.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we 'labor' for eternal food when it is a gift?
- What does God the Father sealing the Son mean for our confidence in Christ?
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Analysis & Commentary
'Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.' Jesus redirects priorities—don't work for perishable food but for eternal sustenance. Physical bread satisfies temporarily; spiritual bread satisfies eternally. The Son of Man gives this food; the Father has authenticated (sealed) Him. Pursuing eternal life isn't passive but active—labor is involved, though the food is gift.