1 Corinthians 15:58 Meaning of Your Labor in the Lord Is Not in Vain

1 Corinthians 15:58
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Explanation and Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:58

Always firmly believe that living a Christian life will result in your immortality in Heaven with Jesus forever.

In this last verse of 1 Corinthians 15, Paul implored the Corinthian church to believe what he had been telling them in this chapter about the resurrection of Jesus and of Christians. It was important that they understand that they had a strong motivation for leading a truly Christian life, in spite of the hardships and danger it brought. Christians have one life to show that we love God, after which they will be judged.

Breaking Down the Key Parts of 1 Corinthians 15:58

#1: “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters…”
Paul is addressing his brothers and sisters in Christ, or fellow Christians.

#2: “…stand firm…”
Remain fixed and confident in the faith of the Scriptures which Paul had taught to them, principally the death of Jesus for our sins, His resurrection from the dead on the third day, the coming resurrection of Christians from the dead with their ascent into Heaven, and the passing of the living Christians directly into Heaven. Be steadfast in your belief of these important facts.

#3: “…Let nothing move you…”
Maintain your expectation of the coming resurrection and ascent into Heaven.

#4: “…Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord…”
Always strive to improve your obedience to Scripture, evidenced by what you do and how you act in your life so that you may become more and more like Christ.

#5: “…because you know…
The Corinthians had heard Paul tell them about the resurrection of Jesus and all mankind, some of which (true Christians) will go to Heaven and others of which will go to Hell. Because they heard him preach about this, they now know about the reward that will come to Christians.

#6: “…that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Christians shall be rewarded with the prize of eternal life with Jesus in Heaven for living a Christlike life. All the effort, perseverance, and suffering will not be for nothing. Jesus was resurrected, and people witnessed it. It is true. So the Scriptures are true, and Christians will inherit eternal life in Heaven with Jesus.

Expert Overview of 1 Corinthians

Biblical Translations of 1 Corinthians 15:58

NIV
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

NLT
So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

ESV
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.

KJV
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.

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