1 Corinthians 15:58: Your Response to Jesus' Victory

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." 1 Cor. 15:58

If I were to summarize the contents of 1 Corinthians 15 into two words, they would be these: Jesus' Victory. In 1 Corinthians 15, we see a glorious chapter about how Jesus has died and risen again according to the scriptures. Furthermore, we find fleshed out what that means for us as Christ's bride. Paul tackles some big topics here, such as the importance and necessity of the resurrection, our glorified (after-death) state, and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ has both been (past-tense) victorious on the cross and he will be (future tense) victorious when he comes again. But what are we to do with all of these glorious truths? Well, Paul tells us in the last verse of this chapter:

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." 1 Cor. 15:58

In this verse, Paul gives us three actions we must do: we must be steadfast, immovable, and abounding (in the work of the Lord). Why should we do these things? Because, since Jesus Christ is victorious, we know that our labor is not in vain. Nevertheless, let's dive into each of these words this morning. I know I need it to continue through my week, and so do you.

Firstly, Paul commands us here to be steadfast. The Greek term here is edrayos (if you were wondering) and it means "to be firmly or solidly set in place." The idea here is a firm foundation. In case you haven't realized it before, the point of a foundation is that it doesn't move. If you don't have a solid foundation, you don't have a solid house. Paul is stating here to be like a firm foundation, immovable, though the tides and waves of this life may crash up against you. Paul uses the same term in Colossians 1:23: "...if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard..." To be steadfast is to remain in the Gospel; to not give up on your faith and hope or in what you believe, even when "the going gets tough."

Secondly, Paul commands us here to be immovable. The Greek term here is ametakinatos (once again, if you were wondering). This is actually the only time in the entire New Testament that this term is used, so we know little about it. Nevertheless, from other literary sources, we find that this term simply means immovable. In context, Paul seems to be using this as a synonym of steadfast. There is little difference between the two, but Paul really wants to get his point across here: be steadfast, be immovable, don't move, don't give up, hold on--we're gonna get through this together.

Thirdly, Paul commands us here to be abounding. It's worthy to note that the first two terms described above are adjectives and that this term is a participle. This isn't a huge deal, but this could imply that this one flows out of the first two. In other words, out of our steadfast-and-immovableness, we are about to abound in the work of the Lord, knowing that our feet are planted deeply in Gospel truth. Nevertheless, this term simply means to be abundantly rich or overflowing in. Let us pause and think about this for a second because it is important. Scripture doesn't command us here to simply do the work of the Lord but to abound in the work of the Lord. We mustn't bear enough fruit, we must bear an excessive amount of fruit. Thus, the question isn't, "How much do I have to do to do enough?" but "How much can I do for my LORD???" Perhaps you have been asking the first question lately, rather than the latter. I know I have. But true faithfulness is abounding in God's work, not surviving in it. We must not merely pass in the Lord's arena, we must excel.

So, let me ask you this morning: have you planted yourself? Are you standing on a firm foundation that allows you to abound in the work of the Lord, not giving up, no matter what comes your way? If you're feeling weak this morning, let me encourage you to reopen God's Word that you might be strengthened, and so be immovable, steadfast, abounding in the work of the Lord. Perhaps this song might help you out: More Than Conquerors.