In writing about the Gospel recently I referred to the first few verse of 1st Corinthians 15 where Paul outlined the gospel which “I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved”, and his focus on the centrality of Jesus death, burial and resurrection in that gospel: “of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,”
Because of his emphasis on the resurrection in the gospel he preached, and the verses following in the 1st Corinthians 15 where he gives an outstanding apologetics defense of the truth and importance of the resurrection of Jesus (vs.12-26, 35-57), this chapter of the New Testament automatically comes to mind, for those that have studied it, as the go to passage regarding resurrection. It is quite powerful.
It has always been interesting to me that Paul, as he nears the end of this letter, and in such a great defense of the resurrection, begins the passage with defining the gospel he preached. But, I find it even more so interesting, that after that defense, and just before giving instructions for these gentiles to take up a gift collection to go to Jews in Jerusalem, that he is inspired to write what our translations record as verse 58:
[1Corinthians 15:58 NASB95] 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not [in] vain in the Lord.
This strong exhortation to stand, and encouragement to labor and toil in the purpose of the Lord, seems almost out of place. It is short in its stroke and very direct, much like many of his exhortations and admonishments to Timothy as his son in the faith. Is it tied to the gospel and the defense of the resurrection he has just covered? I think perhaps so. Or, is it a set up for the direction he is about to give regarding the collection for Jerusalem and their treatment and reception of several others that labor with him, that he is about to mention in the letter (chapter 16)? That is a possibility too, I think.
We may not completely understand his motivation and intent beyond eisegetical speculation. But, as it is inspired by the Spirit as the word of God, we may certainly take to heart the exhortation to stand, and the encouragement to be given to work in the Lord, under His direction, that will not be fruitless or empty.
I’m not sure what it is about this one verse that has stood out to me when I have read it and noted where it is placed, but that it is so short and direct. It is like a mentor, teacher, father placing his arm around a disciple or son and giving them direct instruction from what they have wisdom to know by experience, have walked in, and now want to pass along as foundational under wavering feet and doubting thought. Although direct, it is coming from love and the deep desire to give understanding and build confidence that the disciple/son has been equipped and are able. He does that in one short “punch in the arm” sentence to inspire us in His (the LORD’s) purpose and as His laborers.
Look briefly at this scripture:
Therefore…What is it there for? Because you have been reached by that gospel he preached and have a faith fixed in the fact of the glorious resurrection of Jesus, and the resurrection of the dead, you can and will do what I am about to instruct you. Because you embrace this great understanding of the seemingly impossible, the resurrection of the dead; A belief founded in the death of Jesus for sin and His glorious resurrection for life, you can do and face what is before you. It brings to mind that John, the apostle, said that “because He lives, you will live also”. So, I/we are empowered and enabled.
[John 14:18-20 NASB95] 18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 “After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you [will] see Me; because I live, you will live also. 20 “In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
Next, my beloved brethren… Paul makes us his brother, and places us into the same family he considers himself part of. We are God’s children and those that Jesus is not ashamed to call brothers.
be steadfast, immovable,… as Christ Jesus is alive and at the right hand of the Father, our hope is sure, our expectations beyond doubt. As He has been raised incorruptible and immortal, and we have been so raised in Him, and being receptors of eternal life in Him, there is no reason to be shaken by circumstances or conditions. There is no reason to resign, or be afraid to defend the hope that is within us. That hope is solid, built upon the foundation of the power of a risen Jesus, and the covenant of a God who cannot lie nor be unfaithful in covenant. The pressure and circumstances of life, nor the fear of death, should not shake us from that hope. We are enabled and empowered to be steadfast and immovable.
[Hebrew 6:17-20 NASB95] 17 In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a [hope] both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, 20 where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek
Then, always abounding in the work of the Lord, … the exhortation turns from standing firm to encouragement and exhortation to labor in Him, under His direction. This is not an instruction to work “for” the Lord to gain salvation, deliverance, righteousness, improve standing, etc. adnausem. Works righteousness. No! It is not about how much work or the work you dream up to do for Him or stacking up impressive numbers. Chuck Smith once said “The Lord does not pay commissions, only salary. He pays you for the labor you did, not the results” This is, instead, a strong and direct exhortation to work, labor, toil, “in” the Lord.
The term abounding means an overflow as in pressed down, shaken together, overflowing. In other words, the work will abound coming out of His provision and direction of what to do, how to do it, and the strength that He supplies. What is required from us is an ear to hear His voice/direction, and the diligence to obey what we hear, and to persist and persevere in doing whatever the “work”, co-labor, with Him may be. Even if the fruit seems not immediate, or if there is suffering in the labor. Why? Because it befitting those that have such a glorious hope as we have looked at. Can understanding the fullness of His love in Christ and the power of His resurrection do anything but produce an abundance of zeal and diligence in the Lord’s work, or as laborers in His field at His direction. We have Jesus as our example of this kind of service in His Father’s purpose.
[John 6:27-29 NASB95] 27 “Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.” 28 Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”[John 14:10-12 NASB95] 10 “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works. 11 “Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves.
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.Consider what this John 14 passage reveals about Jesus working in the Father, and the Father working through Him. And, how that relates to the works, toil, labor, we may do “in” Him and He thorough us.
knowing that your toil is not [in] vain in the Lord… Good news! No matter what He asks you to do, or co-labor, with Him in, it will never be for not, will not be empty, vain, or of no value. Even if it seems so to everyone else. People may not appreciate your labors in Him, and may reject you or have disdain for you in it. You may get praise and recognition from others in the church, or in the world. But you may not! It does not matter. Your obedience to what He has asked of you, and to that which the Spirit has enabled you to do, requires you put your all and strength into it. All the while knowing it is He that is working, and that you can do nothing of your own strength or initiative. Without Him we can do nothing. However, our most diligent obedience and service, and, yes, even our suffering, if required, will prove profitable in His purpose and His service. You have unshakable proof of that in the resurrected Jesus! Although you may not see full fruition in the moment or in the now, those that move in His purpose and under His direction receive excellent wages. There is joy and completion to be revealed. If you die you rise again. You are sure to receive glory, honor and eternal life in Him.
[Ephesians 3:20-21 NASB95] 20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him [be] the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
[Romans 8:18 NASB95] 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
[Hebrews 6:10 KJV] 10 For God [is] not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
May we encourage one another to stand firm, steadfast and immovable, in our times which are often so challenging. And, may we encourage one another to labor in Him, and often together corporately in Him, in His purpose and be unashamed to embrace, exhibit, and proclaim in word and deed His Kingdom and the gospel which has been delivered to us.