A good exhortation

Hopefully, you love good exhortations, and 1 Corinthians 15:58 is one of the best. In it, Paul wrote, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” This is a fantastic exhortation with which to end a glorious chapter.

Being “steadfast” means “firmly established in one’s position or opinions.” They were to be strong. “Unmoveable” means “not being readily shaken in one’s opinions or beliefs.” He wanted the Corinthians to be unmoved by the denials of false teachers. “Abounding” means “to be or exist in abundance, with the implication of being considerably more than what would be expected.” Nominal growth and service just wouldn’t do for them.

If you can keep this good exhortation, then you can know that your labor will not be in vain in the Lord -- your deep conviction can be that your labor will be rewarded. This certainty provided an impetus to faithful service. Paul further wrote, “Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour” (1 Corinthians 3:8). Also, Galatians 6:9 says, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

I once met a preacher that quoted this verse every time he finished a meeting preaching the gospel. It’s a great one to remember occasionally, for it produces a remarkable hope for the future through hard work for the Lord.

Kyle Campbell