Paul’s conduct in Thessalonica had been characterized by “labor and toil” (Greek: κόπος/kopos and μόχθος/mochthos). It is difficult to find a precise distinction between these two words. Labor
(Κόπος/kopos) is the more common of the two, and wherever toil
(μόχθος/mochthos) occurs in the New Testament it is used with labor
(2 Corinthians 11:27; 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:8). Thus it seems as though the combination of the two words formed a stock phrase which should be understood as a unit—something like the combinations trials and tribulations
or hard and fast
in English.
Together these words refer to hard work which involves difficulty and an unusual exertion of energy and effort.
1
9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.