A crowd gathers in Capernaum after the miracle of the loaves and Jesus walks on water.
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.
John 6:27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
Don't work for the eating, the one destroying itself, but instead for the eating, the one remaining until the life perpetual, which the son of the man will give you because this one here the Father, the Divine sealed
or
Don't earn a self-destroying living but rather the strengthening living of perpetual life, which the son of humanity will give your as the Father has authorized him.
This life is temporary but we have a shot at a continuing life.
The word "meat" and "food" more generally means "eating" and things relating to it, "taste," "flavor,
etc. but it was used to describe what is earned, much like we talk about "bread" as money and "earning bread" as making a living. There is a strong sense here and in an earlier section of John, John 4:34 of referring to earnings.
The word translated as "perisheth/spoils" means to "destroy," demolish, or "lose." It is in the form of a present participle and it is either passive "being destroyed" or the middle voice, "destroying itself," which I like better. "Perish" captures the passive sense, and "spoils," perhaps the sense of "destroying itself."
Similarly, the word translated as "endures" means "to stay" or "to remain" or, my favorite version, "to stand fast in battle," which is its primary use. It too is a participle, but an active one, "remaining" or "staying."
The Greek words translated as "eternal/everlasting life" have more the sense of "a life that continues." See this life eternal article. This is not the word used at the time to mean "eternal" or never dying.
The final section of the verse says that God has "sealed" Jesus. However, the purpose of seals in this era was to authenticate or approve of something. A "seal" was the mark of a person in authority. So the Father has authenticated or approved the Son. However, the last clause it odd, with two separate subjects. "The father" precedes the verb "sealed," but the noun "the God" or "the Divine" follows the verb in the form of a subject. Subjects can come before or after verbs, but this is the only time I've see a subject before and after the verb.
WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "hath" indicates the past perfect tense, but the tense is something that happens at a specific point in time (past, present, or future).
Labour -- "Labor " is a word Christ uses humorously. It means "work," "do," or "make," but it is not the common word Jesus uses frequently, but a more sophisticated word he uses less commonly. This is a verb from the more common noun translated as "deeds" or "works." Jesus uses it to mean "make a living for yourself." The form is either passive, "be worked," of in the middle voice where the subject acts for./by himself, so "work for yourself."
not -- The negative used here is the Greek negative of a subjective opinion, commands, and requests. The sense is that "you don't want" or "think" something, not that it isn't done or thought. With the verb "to be," the sense is "doesn't seem." When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. This is the negative used with commands or requests. Used with an imperative to express a will or wish. Used in negative "when" and "if" clauses.
for -- This completes the idea of the verb.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
meat -- This word means "meat", "pasture", "eating, "taste," and "flavor. It is from a verb meaning "eating" and "eating up." Jesus only uses this word six times, always in the sense of "eating."
which -- (CW) The word translated as "which" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
perisheth, -- (WF) The word translated as "perish" means to destroy or demolish. The form is not an active verb but an participle, "perishing." It is either passive, "being destroyed" or the middle voice, "destroying itself."
but -- The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus often uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, not doing something, with a positive one, "instead do this."
for -- This completes the idea of the verb.
that -- The word translated as "that" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
meat -- This word means "meat", "pasture", "eating, "taste," and "flavor.
which -- (CW) The word translated as "which" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
endureth -- The word translated as "endureth" has more of a sense of to "stay" or "remain," not necessarily dwelling in a place, though the KJV often treats it that way.
unto -- The word translated as "unto" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in regards to" a subject, and "up to" limits in time and measure.
everlasting -- "Everlasting" is an adjective based on the word that means "age" or "eon." It has the sense of "perpetual" or "ageless."
life, -- The word translated as "life" means "living" but it also means "substance," "existence," and "property."Jesus uses it to mean the "existence" of physical life, spirit plus body. To learn more read this article on life eternal, For more on how Christ uses this word with other words about human existence (soul, heart, spirit, body, etc.), read this article.
which -- The word translated as "which" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
Son -- The word translated as "son" more generally means "child" or "descendant." The phrase "the son of man" is the common way Christ refers to himself. It is discussed in detail in this article. Its sense may be "the child of the man."
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that required the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession, but it can also mean "belonging to," "part of," "which is," "than" (in comparisons), or "for," "concerning" or "about" with transitive verbs.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
man - The Greek word for "man" means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples."
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
give -- The verb translated as "given" means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give."
unto -- This word "to" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.
you: -- The "you" here is from the plural, dative, second-person pronoun.
for --The word translated as "for" introduces a reason or explanation so "because" and, in questions, "why." However, since this word always appears in the second position, it is more like an aside remark like, "consequently" or "as a cause."
him -- (CW) The word translated as "him" means "this/that thing/person here/there." Here it is masculine, so
"this person here." It usually comes after the previous noun, emphasizing it. Here, it begins the sentence and stands alone.
hath -- (WT) This helping verb "hath" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past. This is not the tense of the verb here.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
God - (WP) The word translated as "God" means "God" and "deity." It is introduced with an article, so "the God," "the Divine" or "the divine one." Jesus often uses it this way perhaps to indicate the one God as opposed to the pagan gods. This word appears separate from "the Father" by the verb.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
Father -- "Father" is the Greek noun that means "father" or any male ancestor so "forefathers." It is the word that Christ uses to address his own Father.
sealed. - "Sealed" is from a verb that Jesus only uses here that means "to close," "to close with a seal," "to authenticate [a document with a seal]," "to close up [as with a seal]," and "to set a seal of approval upon."
Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
ἐργάζεσθε [8 verses](2nd pl pres imperat mp) "Labour" is ergazomai, which means to "work at," "make," "do," "perform," "work [a material]," "earn by working," work at a trade or business," " traffic," and "trade."
μὴ [447 verses](conj) "Not" is me , which is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." As οὐ (ou) negates fact and statement; μή rejects, οὐ denies; μή is relative, οὐ absolute; μή subjective, οὐ objective. With pres. or aor. subj. used in a warning or statement of fear, "take care" It can be the conjunction "lest" or "for fear that." Used before tis with an imperative to express a will or wish for something in independent sentences and, with subjunctives, to express prohibitions.
τὴν [821 verses](article sg fem acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
βρῶσιν [6 verses](noun sg fem acc) "Meat" is from brosis, which means "meat", "pasture", "eating, "taste," and "flavor."
τὴν [821 verses](article sg fem acc) "Which" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἀπολλυμένην [43 verses](part sg pres mp fem acc) "Which perisheth" is apollymi, which means "to demolish," "to lay waste," "to lose," "to perish," "to die," "to cease to exist," and "to be undone."
ἀλλὰ [154 verses](conj) "But" is alla, which means "otherwise," "but," "still," "at least," "except," "yet," nevertheless," "rather," "moreover," and "nay."
τὴν [821 verses](article sg fem acc) "That" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
βρῶσιν [6 verses](noun sg fem acc) "Meat" is from brosis, which means "meat", "pasture", "eating, "taste," and "flavor."
τὴν [821 verses](article sg fem acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
μένουσαν [27 verses](3rd sg aor ind act) (part sg pres act fem acc) "Which endureth" is meno, which, as a verb, it means "stand fast" (in battle), "stay at home," "stay," "tarry," "remain as one was," "abide," and (transitive) "await."
εἰς [325 verses](prep) "Into" is eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)," "until (of time)," "as much as (of measure or limit)," "as far as (of measure or limit)," "towards (to express relation)," "in regard to (to express relation)," "of an end or limit," and "for (of purpose or object)."
ζωήν,[42 verses] (noun sg fem acc) "Life" is zoe, which means "living," "substance," "property," "existence," and, incidentally, "the scum on milk." It has the sense of how we say "make a living" to mean property. Homer used it more to mean the opposite of death.
αἰώνιον. [23 verses](adj sg neut acc) "Everlasting" is aionios, which means "lasting for an age," "perpetual," and "eternal." From "aion" which is used in the bible to mean an "age."
ἣν [294 verses](pron sg fem acc) "Which" is hos, which means "this," "that," "he," "she," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
υἱὸς [158 verses](noun sg masc nom) "The Son" is huios, which means a "son," and more generally, a "child." It is used generally to refer to any male descendant.
τοῦ [821 verses](article sg masc gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἀνθρώπου [209 verses](noun sg masc gen) "Of man" is from anthropos, which is "man," and, in plural, "mankind." It also means "humanity" and that which is human and opposed to that which is animal or inanimate.
ὑμῖν. [299 verses](pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is hymin (humin), which is the 2nd person plural dative pronoun. Dative is the case which indicates to whom something is given.
δώσει [147 verses](3rd sg fut ind act) "Shall give" is didomi, which means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe."
τοῦτον [93 verses](adj sg masc acc) "Him" is touto, which means "from here," "from there," "this [thing] here," or "that [thing] there."
γὰρ [205 verses](partic) "For" comes from gar which is the introduction of a clause explaining a reason or explanation: "for," "since," and "as." In an abrupt question, it means "why" and "what."
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
πατὴρ [191 verses](noun sg masc nom) "The Father" is pater, which means "father," "grandfather," "author," "parent," and "forefathers."
ἐσφράγισεν [1 verse] (3rd sg aor ind act) "Sealed" is from sphragizo, which means "to close," "to close with a seal," "to authenticate [a document with a seal]," "to close up [as with a seal]," and "to set a seal of approval upon."
ὁ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
θεός [144 verses](noun sg masc nom) "God" is theos, which means "God," "divine," and "Deity." -
A play on the meaning of "earning meat" as having the sense of "earning a living."