My verse of the day today on my smart phone ap was this:

“ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58, New American Standard Bible, 1995)

I often tell my students, “C.I.E.”  This stands for “Context Is Everything!”  If you don’t pay attention to the surroundings of a verse, you will not really understand that verse.  Or, at the very least, you won’t understand it as well as you could.  So, what is the context of 1 Corinthians 15:58?

This verse, in what we call Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, is the practical conclusion of a very important section of teaching.  The Corinthian Christians were a pretty messed-up group in a whole bunch of ways.  One of those ways was that they did not believe in a real, physical resurrection from the dead.

Paul responds to this is several ways.  There isn’t the time in a blog post to go into all of those in depth, so I’ll summarize.  Paul basically points out that:

• He and all the other apostles and teachers had taught the resurrection.
• The Old Testament (the Scriptures for Christians of that day) taught the resurrection.
• Jesus had been raised from the dead, and he had so closely identified himself with us that our own resurrection was inevitable.
• There are analogies in nature (seeds for example) that only what dies can spring up to new life.

Paul could deal with some pretty deep issues at times.  Although I’ve studied him a great deal, and taught classes on his life and writings, I feel as if I’ve just scratched the surface.

And yet, Paul almost always ends his discussions of abstract matters on a very practical, down-to-earth note.  After discussing the Christian doctrine of physical resurrection, Paul basically says, “So get busy, and stay busy doing what you should!”

What on earth (pun optional) does what we do here and now have to do with resurrection?!

Actually, the resurrection has a great deal to do with what we do here and now.  Think about it: What is it, ultimately, that calls all our efforts in this life into question?  Is it not death?  I have heard it said, “Life is hard, and after that you die.”  This is a common philosophy.

But if, as Paul and the other early Christian cats taught, death is not the final word, then life—and what we do in it—matter a great deal.

Interestingly, the verbs in the original Greek of 1 Corinthians 15:58 are all in the present tense.  This suggests continual or on-going action.  Since the resurrection of the dead is true, the Corinthian believers must continually be steadfast, immovable, continually abounding in the work of the Lord, continually knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.  (If the present tense wasn’t enough, Paul adds the Greek word for “always” just before the bit about abounding in the work of the Lord!  Paul was never bashful about piling on words to make what he was saying clear.)

Today, I begin teaching a course in the regular undergraduate program at the university.  I have always taught in the College of Adult Learning, which was populated with people who were closer to my age.  I am also using a Bible software that I had never used until about ten days ago.  My affirmation, sent to my 12-step sponsor this morning, is as follows:

Today, by God’s grace, I am humble confidence.  This combination will honor God, be helpful to students, and will be true to who I am.

Perhaps, in light of the resurrection, I should actually try believing this.