Immovable (277) (ametakinetos from a = conveys negation + metakineo = move away, from kineo - to move - root of our English word kinetic as in kinetic energy) means literally not moved away from one place to another, and in the present passage expresses Paul's desire that they prove themselves to be saints who could not be moved away from the truth concerning the resurrection.
In other words, the Corinthian saints were not to be moved from their spiritual "moorings" (Webster's 1828 dictionary says "moorings" are "the anchors, chains and bridles laid athwart the bottom of a river or harbor to confine a ship." Interesting picture!)
John Butler associates immovable with faithfulness in times of troubles noting that...
Troubles, persecution, difficulties, etc. often cause one to compromise and move away from the right position. (Analytical Bible Expositor: I & II Corinthians)
Piper adds that...
Immovable means don’t get knocked over by sudden blows. Keep your balance. Stand strong and unshaken when the rains come down and the floods come up and the winds blow and beat against your house. Be like a boulder that can’t get washed away. Be like a tree that can’t get blown down. (Sermon)
Thomas Edwards writes that...
The word "unmoved" denotes resistance to the special attempt to overthrow their faith in the doctrine of the resurrection. It is implied that an attempt of the kind has been intentionally made in the Corinthian church, cf 1Co 15:32, 33, 34. (1Corinthians 15 Commentary - 1886)
Paul uses hedraios and metakineo in the closely related passage Col 1:23 (see above), where metakineo is preceded by a negative particle ("me"), which conveys in essence the same meaning as the adjective ametakinetos used in the passage we are studying.
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)
Clarke...
let nothing move you away from this hope of the Gospel (Ed: Your future resurrection and glorification) which is given unto you. What I tell you I receive from God; your false teachers cannot say so: in a declaration of God you may unshakingly confide. (Ref)
Robertson comments that Paul says
unmoveable (here only), not akinetoi, 'unmoved': they must not allow themselves to be loosed from their moorings. (A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the First Epistle to the Corinthians - online) (Bolding and italics added)
Marvin Vincent comments on...
Steadfast, unmovable. The former refers to their firm establishment in the faith; the latter to that establishment as related to assault from temptation or persecution. Fixedness is a condition of abounding in work. All activity has its center in rest (1 Corinthians 15 Commentary)
The call to be immovable is reminiscent of Paul's exhortation in Ephesians...
As a result (Ep 4:11-note, Ep 4:12, 13-note), we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ (Eph 4:14, 15-note).
Jamieson sums up Paul's command to be...
steadfast—not turning aside from the faith of the resurrection of yourselves.
unmovable—not turned aside by others
A W Pink says that "unmovable"...
is a word implying testing and opposition. Suffer not the allurements of the world nor the baits of Satan to unsettle you. Be not shaken by the trials of this life. Be patient and persevering whatever your lot. Seek grace to say of all troubles and afflictions, what Paul said of bonds and imprisonments—"none of these things move me." And why should they? None of them impugn God’s faithfulness. Moreover, they work for us "a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory while we look not at the things which are seen." Then be unwavering in your expectations and "be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel," no matter what opposition you encounter. Notwithstanding your discouraging failures, the backslidings of fellow Christians, the hypocrisy of graceless professors, "hold fast the confidence and rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end" (Heb 3:6).
(Read his full discussion regarding "The Work of the Lord")
False teaching (and/or false belief) whether it is in regard to the resurrection (cf 1Co 15:12) or some other Biblical doctrine, has the potential to "shake the faith" of believers. And so in his second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul's goal is to teach the truth regarding the Day of the Lord so that the saints at Thessalonica would...
not be quickly shaken (literally of an earthquake in Ac 16:26; of a ship at anchor slipping its mooring in the midst of a heavy wind; figuratively in one's mind to be moved to and fro, agitated, disturbed) from (their) composure or be disturbed (in a state of fear associated with surprise, startled) either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. (2Th 2:2)
BE FIRMLY ROOTED...
BE FRUITFUL
Paul now adds two participial clauses (abounding...knowing) to specify what should accompany steadfastness and immovability. The point is that the saints were not only to be firm and immovable in regard to the doctrinal truths regarding the resurrection, but were also to be fruitful in the field in which the Lord had placed them. As Keith Krell points out below "This grammar leads to a simple three point conclusion: what we should be, what we should do, and what we should know." (note).
Always (3842) (pantote from pas = all + tote = then) means at all times. Paul does not allow for exceptions to his charge that readers prove themselves steadfast and immovable. In essence, Paul is saying there is no room for slackers! A "lazy Christian" is in Paul's theology an oxymoron (combination of contradictory or incongruous words, like "cruel kindness"). Better stated, lazy Christians are in fact disobedient Christians. However, be careful, lest you allow this statement to place you under a legalistic yoke. Yes, Christians are called into active service for their Lord (cf 2Ti 2:3,4-note, 2Ti 2:6-note), but such service is only possible in the Lord (in the sphere of His enabling Spirit and always adequate grace).
Kistemaker adds that...
To express constancy and emphasis he adds the word always which, in the original, he places last in the clause for emphasis. (Exposition of the First Epistle to the Corinthians. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House)
John Butler adds that always...
allows for no deviation from our tasks. We must be faithful at all times or it is not faithfulness. (Analytical Bible Expositor: I & II Corinthians)
He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep
to gain what he cannot lose.
Jim Elliot (1927-1956)
John Piper writing of David Brainerd (Missionary to American Indians) in a section subtitled "A Passion to Finish Well" observed that Brainerd always...
strove to be, as Paul says, “abounding in the work of the Lord” (1Co 15:58). April 17, 1747
“O I longed to fill the remaining moments all for God! Though my body was so feeble, and wearied with preaching and much private conversation, yet I wanted to sit up all night to do something for God. To God the giver of these refreshments, be glory forever and ever; Amen” (p. 246).
February 21, 1746:
“My soul was refreshed and comforted, and I could not but bless God, who had enabled me in some good measure to be faithful in the day past. Oh, how sweet it is to be spent and worn out for God!” (p. 366).
(Download -- Piper, J. The Hidden Smile of God: The Fruit of Affliction in the Lives of John Bunyan, William Cowper, and David Brainerd. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books) (Also recommended - Read and/or listen to Piper's discussion of Brainerd's life entitled Oh, That I May Never Loiter On My Heavenly Journey!)
Mark Hitchcock comments that...
So many (followers of Christ) today are unstable and unsettled in Christian work. Knowing about Christ's coming and future events should cure that problem. Realizing that Christ could return at any time should make us enthusiastic about serving the Lord. The Bible is clear:
WAITERS ARE
WORKERS!
When Christ comes we are to be "dressed in readiness" with our "lamps lit" (Luke 12:35). (101 Answers to the Most Asked Questions About the End Times)
Illustration - Dr. H. A. Ironside was to preach a prophetic message in a certain church. A godless man entered the service late and took a seat near the front. After the meeting this man approached Dr. Ironside and said,
"I'm glad you agree with me."
"Oh, you hold to the Second Coming, do you?" asked the preacher.
"Oh, yes," was the quick reply.
'Well, does it hold you?"
The man was clearly taken aback. "What do you mean?" he asked.
"I mean has it gripped you-has it made a difference in your life?" explained Dr. Ironside.
The man shot back a retort, "Who has been telling you about me?"
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Greek Word Studies ( - )
Read freely Greek Word Studies from the Austin Precept text commentary of the Bible in text and pdf format. Precept Austin is an online free dynamic bible commentary similar to wikipedia with updated content and many links to excellent biblical resources around the world. You can browse the entire collection of Commentaries by Verse on the Precept Austin website.We have been "bought with a price" to be "ambassadors for Christ" and our "salvation is nearer to us than when we believed" so let us "cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" "so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming." (1Cor 6:20, 2Cor 5:20, Ro 13:11, 2Cor 7:1, 1Jn 2:28)