📖 Biblical Definition
Paul's closing pastoral encouragement in the resurrection chapter: "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 Cor 15:58). The because-clause is the resurrection: because Christ is risen and we shall rise, our work matters eternally. Labor done in the Lord is preserved through the resurrection into the new creation.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
1 Cor 15:58: labor in the Lord preserved through resurrection; eternally meaningful.
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Paul's closing pastoral application in the resurrection chapter (1 Cor 15:58): "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." The because-clause is the entire chapter's resurrection-theology. Because Christ is risen and we shall rise, our work in the Lord is preserved through the resurrection into the new creation. The implication: nothing done in the Lord is wasted, even when results are not visible. The encouragement is sturdier than positivity-pep-talk — it is grounded in the empty tomb.
📖 Key Scripture
1 Corinthians 15:58 — "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."
Galatians 6:9 — "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
Hebrews 6:10 — "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern despair ("my work doesn't matter") and prosperity-driven discouragement ("my work doesn't pay off") both forget the resurrection-grounding.
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When ministry feels fruitless, when years of faithful service produce little visible result, when the pulpit is small and the work hard, the temptation to despair is real. Paul's answer is not "keep your chin up" but "the resurrection." Because Christ rose and we shall rise, every Lord-directed labor is preserved into eternity.
Recover the grounding: this is resurrection-theology, not motivational-poster theology. Your labor in the Lord is not in vain because the tomb is empty. The empty tomb is what makes the labor permanent.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek ho kopos hymōn ouk estin kenos en kyriō.
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['Greek', 'G2873', 'kopos', 'labor, toil']
['Greek', 'G2756', 'kenos', 'vain, empty']
['Greek', 'G1722', 'en', 'in']
Usage
"Your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
"Resurrection-grounded, not pep-talk."
"Empty tomb makes the labor permanent."