1 Corinthians 15:58

Butler's Comments

SECTION 4

Its Helpfulness (1 Corinthians 15:58)

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:58 a In Steadfastness: What a helpful, practical, glorious conclusion. Who said Christianity is impractical? Why else would anyone have any desire to be steadfast and immovable in this life? What other philosophy would produce stability in this life? Only the perspective based on the historical resurrection of Jesus Christ will do that! Paul uses the Greek words hedraioi and ametakinetoi; they are translated, steadfast and immovable, respectively. Hedraioi means seated, settled-in, fixed; it is used to form one of our English suffixes e.g. tetrahedron denoting a crystal having a specific number of facets or surfaces. It also forms the second half of the English word cathedral which also means, seated above. Christians have the power of the resurrection to help them live stable, fixed, settled lives. Ametakinetoi means motionless, unexcitable, not given to passion. Part of the word, kinetoi, is the word from which the English words kinetic, kinematics, kinescope come. These English words all have to do with motion. The alpha-privative and the prepositional-prefix, ameta, would cause the word to be translated, absolutely, completely, immovable. The only way to be steadfast and immovable in this world of dissolution and mortality is to believe the resurrection! The resurrection is the key-stone of the arch supporting moral immovability in the storm of temptation.

1 Corinthians 15:58 b In Service: The resurrection is the impetus for abounding in the work of the Lord. Preaching is work! Evangelism is work! Shepherding the flock is work! Teaching the saints is work! Learning God's Word is work! Loving is work! Being a good Samaritan is work! Believing is work (John 6:29); repenting is work (Revelation 2:5). To be a Christian a person must exhaust himself, his talents, his resources, his time, his soul and his body in the work of the Lord, (see Ephesians 4:12; 2 Thessalonians 1:11; 2 Timothy 4:5; John 9:4). Let's face it, there are times when the devil will tempt us to perceive doing the will of God is a chore, or worse, repressive and futile. Even Jesus cried, Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. But Jesus, in his moments of temptation to depression offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him out of death, and he was heard for his godly fear (Hebrews 5:7). Jesus did the work of God through the power of trusting in the resurrection!

1 Corinthians 15:58 c In Security: There is nothing which will bring to the human soul the feeling of security and satisfaction as completely as the knowledge that one's labor is not in vain! So very much of everything written, painted, built, said, done, applauded, acquired, attained in this world is doomed to disappear. Only that which has been done in the name of Christ will be transferable (in different form) into the kingdom of God to come (heaven). Everything else has perished, is perishing, or shall perish. Vanity of vanity, all is vanity (Ecclesiastes 1:2). The Christian whose hope is in the resurrection is the only person in this world who can find true, complete, abiding satisfaction and fulfillment. His labor is not in vain in the Lord. When he passes from this life to the next, his works follow with him (Revelation 14:13). If a man believes in God and his Son, his prayers and alms go up before God as a memorial (Acts 10:4). Every act of kindness in the name of Jesus and for his sake (even a cup of cold water) is remembered and will be rewarded by the Lord (Matthew 25:31-46). So, let us lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21) where they are eternally secure and fulfilling.