1 Coríntios 15
Charles Ellicott · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Coríntios 15:58
Ellicott commenting on "be ye firm (stable), unmovable" notes that "the second epithet (immovable) presenting on the negative side, the idea of stability… implied in the first (be ye firm) (St. Paul's First epistle to the Corinthians)
1 Coríntios 15:58
Ellicott comments that "the sphere in which (cf Php 1:26, Col 2:7, et al) the abounding was to be displayed was… the work belonging to Him (possessive genitive) and which He has, as it were, ever at hand for His servants (to carry out) What the work (ergon) is will, in each case, be more nearly defined by the context (cf 1Co 16:10, Php 2:30): here it is general and inclusive… ") (St. Paul's First epistle to the Corinthians) John Angell James in his sermon on Christian Activity writes that the work of the Lord - refers to Christian zeal. It is an exhortation to activity in the cause of Christ at large, an injunction requiring us to advance the glory of the Redeemer, by promoting the spread and the influence of his gospel in the earth. In the very next chapter the phrase is undoubtedly employed to express this idea, "Now if Timothy comes unto you, see that he may be with you without fear, for he works the work of the Lord as I also do." (1Co 16:10KJV+) Let no one, however, imagine that he can do anything acceptable unto the Lord in the way of zeal, except his zeal be the offspring of true faith. (INITIATED AND EMPOWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT! Jn 6:63 - “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.") Thomas Edwards sees this work even as a stewardship bestowed on believers writing that of the Lord means "doing the work which the Lord Jesus Christ entrusts to them (cf Eph 2:10+), and which, therefore, is rendered to Him. They must give an account of their stewardship. Resurrection involves judgment. (1Corinthians 15 Commentary - 1886) W E Vine offers an important word of warning that the busy modern church needs to soberly ponder "The work of the Lord is to be distinguished from work for the Lord. The Lord’s work is that which He gives us to do (cf Eph 2:10+, Jn 15:5). Much may be done for Him which we imagine to be service rendered to Him, but which is not conformed to His will and therefore is not His work in reality (cp 1Co 3:10, 11+ [the foundation] with the future evaluation of our work = 1Co 3:14,15+) The motive may be sincere and the activity constant, but we need to be sure that what is done is according to the Scriptures of truth, for only that can be work given by Him to be wrought. The fulfillment of our daily occupation as that to which the Lord has called us, is as much the Lord’s work as that of a spiritual character in which we also engage (Ed: Beloved, does this not encourage your heart? When you do your daily work with a Col 3:23+ mindset, "knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve." Col 3:24+) . Only as we realize that (truth) can we be “always abounding” in it. Work He gives us to do is not merely preaching, teaching, etc. What is called “the trivial round, the common task” takes on a much higher aspect if it is given us by Him. The exhortation was given to every member of the assembly in Corinth and is for every child of God. Moreover, the command is given in view of the Lord’s return. It is that coming day of review and reward which we need to keep before us, directing our energies to fulfill all as from Him as well as for Him (cp 2Co 5:9-note, 2Co 5:10-note, 1Ti 4:7-note, 1Ti 4:8-note). (Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson) Ray Stedman echoes Vine's comments on the work of the Lord reminding each of us that "When you go back to your work do not see it as simply a way by which you earn your living. It has been given to you as an opportunity for you to have a ministry in which you witness, you demonstrate a changed life, a heart at peace, the radiant joy of fellowship with a living Lord on your face, and love pouring out of your heart to those who, like you, have struggled and lost frequently in the rat race of life (See Mt 5:14, 15, 5:16+). That is what God sends us out to do as Christians. He has given us a work, not that we might make notable achievements which men applaud, and in which we make a name for ourselves. What God looks for is how are we behaving towards others? How do we show a loving spirit, a gracious, forgiving attitude, a willingness to return good for evil, an ability to speak a word of release to those who are prisoners of their own habits, to set free those who are oppressed by wrong, hateful attitudes, to bind up the brokenhearted, and to open the eyes of the blind? That is the work of the Lord. That is why God gives us contact with others. That is why God has given us our work. (The Victory of the Mystery) Thomas Brooks has an interesting discussion on rewards in heaven and relates it to Paul's exhortation in 1Cor 15:58… If this were not a truth that I have been all this while asserting (rewards in heaven), why then, when men meet with this exhortation (1Co 15:58), they may say, "Why, it is no great matter whether we are steadfast, unmoveable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord or not; for if we are, we shall never advance our reward in heaven, we shall never add pearls to our glorious crown, we shall never add one mite to our happiness and blessedness; and if we are not, we shall be as high in heaven, and our reward as great, and our crown as weighty, as theirs shall be who are steadfast, unmoveable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord." [2Cor. 7:1-note, and 2Co 9:6; 2Pe 3:18-note; Jn 15:8; 2Pe 1:5, 6, 7-note.] And so the denial of degrees of glory in heaven will take off also the edge of all those other exhortations of perfecting holiness, of sowing liberally, of growing in grace, of bringing forth much fruit, and of adding virtue to virtue, etc. Yes, this will cut the throat of all divine endeavors; for who will labor to be rich in grace, and to be much in service, and to abound in all the fruits of righteousness and holiness, when none of all this will turn to a man's advantage in the eternal world? If he who sows little shall have as great a harvest as he who sows much; if he who is dull and negligent in the work of the Lord shall have as great a reward as he who is active and abundant in the work of the Lord; if those trees of righteousness which bring forth much fruit shall have no greater a recompense than those trees of righteousness which bring forth many leaves of profession but little fruit, etc., who would sow much, and who would be active and abundant in the work of the Lord, and who would bring forth much fruit? truly but few, if any. (Ed: While I would generally agree, remember that all such "willing" to sow, etc, is initially to be the work of Holy Spirit [cp Php 2:13-note] - the "trap" is to do "our" works, not God's works - see Good Deeds) The truth that I have been laboring to make good, namely, that there shall be different degrees of glory in heaven, and that God will proportion men's reward to their work, and that he will measure out happiness and blessedness to them at last, according to the different measures of grace bestowed upon his people, and according to the work, service, and faithfulness of his people in this world; this truth, I say, held forth in its luster and glory, is a marvelous encouragement, and a mighty provocation to all sincere Christians—to labor after the highest pitches in Christianity, and to be very eminent in grace and holiness; for what man is there, who will not reason thus, "the more grace the more glory; the more holiness the more happiness; the more work the more wages; and the greater my service shall be here, the greater shall be my reward hereafter. Therefore, O my soul! grow in grace, perfect holiness, and abound in the work and service of the Lord, knowing that your labor shall not be in vain in the Lord." And thus I have given you the reasons that prove that there shall be degrees of glory in heaven. (Thomas Brooks - The Crown and Glory of Christianity - The Necessity, Excellency, Rarity, and Beauty of Holiness - 1662) (Related Resource: Your Eternal Reward Triumph and Tears at the Judgment Seat of Christ by Erwin W. Lutzer) (Amazon.com Randy Alcorn's = In Light of Eternity Perspectives on Heaven - insights on heaven, rewards and how to live in light of eternity!) As the psalmist aptly affirms… Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Thy name give glory because of Thy lovingkindness, because of Thy truth. (Ps 115:1, cf Is 42:8, Ex 34:14) Lord (2962) (kurios from kuros = might or power) in context most likely refers to Jesus and alludes to His sovereign power and absolute authority. Lord signifies that Jesus is the believer's Owner and Master, the implication being that we are His bondservants. The NT use (especially Paul's use) of bondservant (Greek = doulos) conveys the picture of the slave's inseparable/binding tie with his Master, which in turn emphasizes that the bondservant belongs to Jesus, is obligated to do His will and in the final analysis has his will altogether consumed in the will of His loving Master. In short, the word bondservant pictures one's absolute surrender and total devotion to the Master! THOUGHT - Does "bondservant" describe your relationship with the Master, Jesus? And so we see that the designation "Lord" is not merely a name that composes a title, but signifies a call to action so that every saint should willingly, reverently bow down to Jesus Christ. If Christ is our Lord, we are to live under Him (and in Him, cf Acts 17:28), consciously, continually submitting our wills to His will as His loyal, loving bondservants ("love slaves"), always seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness (Mt 6:33-note). According to this practical working "definition", beloved, we all need to ask ourselves "Is Jesus Christ my Lord?". Do I arise each day, acknowledging that this is the day the Lord hath made? (Ps 118:24-note) Do I surrender my will to His will as I begin the day? (cp Ro 12:1-note, Ro 12:2-note) Beloved, don't misunderstand. None of us have "arrived" in this area of Jesus as Lord of every facet of our lives. And it is precisely for that reason that Peter commands us at the end of his second epistle to continually "grow (present imperative - keep on growing) in the grace (unmerited favor, power to live the supernatural, abundant life in Christ) and knowledge (not just intellectual but transformational) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." (2Pe 3:18-note) So do not be discouraged. Don't "throw in the towel" as they say. Keep on keeping on, pressing (continually = present tense) "on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Php 3:14-note) In his closing prayer in the epistle of Hebrews, the writer prays… Now the God of peace, Who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing (GOD'S SOVEREIGN PROVISION) to do (OUR RESPONSIBILITY) His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20, 21-note) Comment: This prayer illustrates the Biblical balance regarding good works, on one side, the believer working (to do His will = man's responsibility) and, on the other hand, God sovereignly providing all we need (both the "equipment" and the empowerment) for the work He calls us to do (equip you in every good thing… working in us… through Jesus Christ). In 1Cor 15:58, Paul is calling for the believers at Corinth (and by application, all believers) to make the choice to abound in the work of the Lord, but always keeping in mind that it is ultimately the Lord of the work Who makes the abounding of the work possible and productive (not in vain in the Lord). Andrew
1 Coríntios 15:58
Ellicott comments knowing "is a causal participle specifying that which, by the nature of the case, would most quicken the abounding -- the clear knowledge, brought home to each hearer and reader by the teaching of this chapter and all the inferences which it suggests (cf 1Co 15:32) that no toil would be empty and without fruit (cf 1Co 15:10+), in Him in Whom "all shall be made alive" and before Whose judgment-seat all will be made manifest and receive according to what he has done in the body (2Co 5:10+) (St. Paul's First epistle to the Corinthians) Paul is saying that his readers knew intuitively, beyond a shadow of doubt the truth about toil… in the Lord. (See 1Co 3:8+ 2Ch 15:7 Ps 19:11 Ga 6:9-).