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.

1 CORINTHIANS 15:58KJV
Know the Bible

1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 15:58 mean?

1 Corinthians 15:58 encourages believers to remain firm and unwavering in their faith, always giving themselves fully to serving God, because their efforts for the Lord are never wasted. The verse assures readers that any work done for God has lasting value and meaning.

Paul is writing to the Christians in Corinth after explaining the hope of resurrection and victory over death through Jesus. He urges them, as "beloved brethren," to stay committed and enthusiastic in their service, reminding them that their dedication is meaningful because it is grounded in the Lord's promises.

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 15:58

  • στερεοί (stedfast, G1476): This word means firm or steady, suggesting a call to be grounded and not easily shaken in faith or purpose.
  • ἀμετακίνητοι (unmoveable, G277): This term emphasizes not being moved or swayed, highlighting the need for spiritual stability even when facing challenges.
  • περισσεύοντες (abounding, G4052): This word means to overflow or excel, pointing to a sense of doing more than just the minimum in serving God.
  • κενός (vain, G2756): This means empty or without result, so Paul is assuring the Corinthians that their labor for the Lord is never pointless or fruitless.

Why 1 Corinthians 15:58 matters

  • This verse clears up the fear that spiritual effort might be useless or unnoticed, emphasizing that God values every act of service.
  • Paul’s encouragement connects directly to his teaching about resurrection, showing that hope in Christ’s victory gives purpose to daily faithfulness.
  • The verse highlights the importance of perseverance and wholeheartedness, not just passive belief, as a response to the hope believers have in Christ.

Where else these words appear

“stedfast” Greek G1476 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Corinthians 7:37 Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
  • Colossians 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

“vain” Greek G2756 · used in 16 verses

  • Mark 12:3 And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
  • Philippians 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

“labour” Greek G2873 · used in 19 verses

  • Matthew 26:10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
  • 2 Corinthians 6:5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

“abounding” Greek G4052 · used in 35 verses

  • Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
  • John 6:13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
  • 2 Corinthians 8:7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.