We find this verse in the first letter from Paul to the church in Corinth. It appears near the end of the letter, it’s the last verse of the penultimate chapter. Is has the following structure: In the light of what I just said (a), do certain things (b), because you know something (c). So in order to understand the verse, we should know the things Paul wrote earlier (a), the things he tells the Corinthians (and by extension, us) to do (b), and the thing that they (we) should know (c). So let’s look at each of these three elements.
First, what are the things about which Paul wrote earlier? This could be the previous sentence, or paragraph, or chapter, or the whole letter. Throughout the letter, we see Paul explaining difficult concepts, and then he gives instructions that follow from these concepts. The last instructions (before our verse) are in chapter 15:33-34. What then follows is the explanation (in verses 35-57) about the glorious bodies we will get after our resurrection. Paul explains how these resurrected bodies will be glorious, powerful, incorruptible, and spiritual. He also explains that there will be different degrees of glory, just like the stars have different degrees of brightness. Jesus is like the sun; He will have the most glory. People like Paul, Moses, and Daniel will be like very bright stars (see also Daniel 12:2-3). People who serve God less will have lower degrees of glory. Our future glory will depend on our works.
This is consistent what Paul taught earlier in the same letter:
1 Cor 3:10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
Our glory, our reward, seems to depend on the quality of our works. Interesting.
Second, what are the things that Paul wants us to do? He tells us to be steadfast (Greek: hedraios - be firm, do not move of course) and immovable (Greek: ametakinetos - do not move from where you are). We should not be swayed to and from, but stay the course on the narrow and difficult path that leads to life.
The next verb phrase, ‘always abounding in the work of the Lord’ is not an imperative but a participle. So it describes the manner in which we should be steadfast and immovable. As we are standing firm, we should abound in the work of the Lord. Not do just a little bit, but do it abudantly. Clearly doing the work of the Lord is not just for pastors or other ordained people, it’s for all of us. So what is this ‘work of the Lord’? Probably the ‘good works which God prepared beforehand for us to do’ (Ephesians 2:10).
Third, what is that we should know? Paul tells us that our toil, our labor, is not futile, empty, or worthless ‘in the Lord’. This is again consistent with the passage quoted above. Our works will become clear and they will be tested. If they are the good works of God, we will be rewarded, but if they are worthless, we will suffer loss. Revelations 20:12 talks about our works being written in books, and that we will be judged according to the works in these books. In Revelation 22:12 Jesus says that he will reward everyone according to their works. This is what Paul talks about in his 2nd letter to the Corinthians:
2 Cor 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
All this emphasis on our works does not mean that we earn our way into heaven. Paul specifically wrote:
Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Our salvation, as in the forgiveness of our sins (so that we will not end up in the lake of fire) is a free gift, by grace, through faith. But it is our works (or lack thereof) that will determine our reward in heaven. What is the status of your treasure in heaven? Is it gold, silver, or straw? Godspeed!
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