"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."
— 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
1 Corinthians 15:58 is the "your labor in the Lord is not in vain" verse, the last line of Paul's long chapter on the resurrection. This page gives the verse, where it sits in 1 Corinthians 15, and a plain reading. For more on the theme, see Bible verses about perseverance, Bible verses about work, and Bible verses about the resurrection.
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The verse
The King James reads: "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."
"Stand firm" (KJV "stedfast") is hedraios (G1476), seated or settled. "Let nothing move you" (KJV "unmoveable") is ametakinetos (G277), not able to be shifted. "Give yourselves fully" (KJV "abounding") is perisseuo (G4052), to overflow. "Work" is ergon (G2041); "labor" is kopos (G2873), toil to the point of weariness; and "in vain" is kenos (G2756), empty.
Where it sits in 1 Corinthians 15
1 Corinthians 15 is Paul's chapter on the resurrection: Christ's resurrection, and the future resurrection of those who belong to him. It builds to a song of victory over death: "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" (1 Corinthians 15:55), and "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Verse 58 begins with "Therefore." Because death does not have the last word, the work done for the Lord now does not end up empty.
What the verse is saying
Paul ties everyday faithfulness to the resurrection. If death were the end, a lifetime of serving could feel wasted. Because Christ is raised, it is not. So Paul gives three instructions (stand firm, let nothing move you, keep giving yourself fully to the Lord's work) and one reason: you know your labor is not in vain.
The word for labor is the tiring kind. Paul is speaking to people who are worn out, the same encouragement he gives in Galatians 6:9: "let us not become weary in doing good." For strength along the way, see Isaiah 40:31.
Questions people ask
What does 1 Corinthians 15:58 say?
In the NIV it says, "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." The KJV begins, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable."
What does 1 Corinthians 15:58 mean?
It means that because Christ has risen and death is defeated, believers should stay steady and keep serving the Lord, confident that nothing done for him is wasted. It is the practical conclusion of the resurrection chapter.
What does "your labor is not in vain" mean?
"In vain" translates the Greek kenos, empty. Paul is saying that toil for the Lord, even when it is tiring and results are hard to see, is not empty, because the resurrection gives it lasting worth.
What comes before 1 Corinthians 15:58?
Verse 57: "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." Verse 58's "Therefore" builds on that victory over death.
What other verses are like 1 Corinthians 15:58?
Galatians 6:9 (let us not become weary in doing good), Colossians 3:23 (whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord), and Philippians 4:13 are close companions.
