What does labored selflessly mean?

Answer 1

To labor:

To perform labor; exert one's powers of body or mind; work; toil.

To strive, as toward a goal; work hard.

Selfless:

Having little or no concern for oneself, especially with regard to fame, position, money, etc.; unselfish.

Devoted to others' welfare or interest and not one's own.

Therefore, to labor selflessly would be to work hard for the benefit of others, not for the benefit of yourself.

Since this question is posed in the category of Religion & Spirituality, I would add this: Jesus is the best example we have of one who truly labored selflessly. His entire life was spent in hard work (physical, emotional, mental and spiritual) for our benefit. This culminated in his work on the cross.

I think it could be said of all the Disciples and Apostles that they too spent their lives in selfless labor for the Gospel. Consider these words from the Apostle Paul in particular;

2 Corinthians 11:24-28

"Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. " Throughout his writings, Paul makes it clear that he willingly suffered these things because of his love for Christ and his love for people.