Discover the Best Abound Scripture. 1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” This verse is often used by Gospel preachers to encourage brethren to abound in faithful work and service to the cause of Christ. A Christian’s life must be a life of abounding work. A Christian must be a faithful follower of the Master, a “steadfast, unmovable, always-abounding” servant who is firmly grounded in the Bible’s revealed truths. Unfortunately, some brethren are not “steadfast and unmoveable;” rather, they are like “children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness” (Ephesians 4:14). Such are those who lack the qualities associated with “always abounding in the work of the Lord.”
According to W.E. Vine, the Greek word rendered “abounding” (perisseuo, Ok) in this passage is defined as “to be abundantly furnished, to abound in a thing…the work of the Lord.” Likewise, Strong defined this word as From G4053; “to super-abound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also (trans.) to cause to super-abound or excel: (make, more) abound, (have, have more) abundance, (be more) abundant, be the better, enough and to spare, exceed, excel, increase, be left, redound, remain (over and above)” (Strong’s, 04502). Therefore, one who abounds has an overflowing abundance. Note the account (Luke 4:5-10) of Jesus’ instructions to Simon Peter. He said, “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.” When Peter obeyed and let down the nets as Christ directed, they caught enough fish than their nets could carry, and the ship began to sink. This is ABUNDANCE!
Abound Scripture
The phrase “in the work of the Lord” applies to all things that God commanded man to do. Regarding this phrase, commentator Albert E. Barnes said, “Always engaged in doing the will of God; in promoting His glory, and advancing His kingdom. This phrase means not only to be engaged in this, but to be engaged diligently, laboriously; excelling in this. The ‘work of the Lord’ here means that which the Lord requires; all the appropriate duties of Christians. Paul exhorts them to practice every Christian virtue, and to do all they could do to further the gospel among men.“ (Barnes Notes, Vol. 8, p. 324).
What The Scriptures Say About Abounding
Upon revealing the different definitions and comments, let’s now look at the Scriptures that teach us how we are to bound “in the work of the Lord.” In order to abound in the Lord’s work, we must carry out the following:
1) Abound in faithful service, coupled with thanksgiving – Colossians 2:5-7
Apostle Paul says in Colossians 2:5-7 that “For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joy and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: Rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”
2) Abound in hope – Romans 15:13,14
Apostle Paul says in Romans 15:13,14 that “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.” Fundamentally, hope is a desire with expectation. Therefore, the Christian should hope to receive an “inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away” (1 Peter 1:4; 5:4). Our hope for heaven should be based on the truths revealed in the Scriptures, not on some false hope created by false teachers.
It is rather unfortunate that many have laid down the sword of truth and have not finished the race, resulting in a “faith” that is made shipwreck (1 Timothy 1:19). In Apostle Paul’s letter to young Timothy, he expressed confidence that he, based on his own steadfastness in the faith, would receive the eternal crown: “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).
3) Abound in suffering for the cause of Christ – 2 Corinthians 1:5-7
Regarding this, Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 1:5-7 that “For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.”
Here, it is worth pointing to the fact that Apostle Paul clearly made mention of steadfastness. Therefore, as workers for the Lord God Almighty, we must be steadfast, even though severe persecutions may arise. Remember that Christ warned His disciples that they would have to endure persecutions and that they would come to those who do the Lord’s work (Matthew 10:16-28). Likewise, Apostle Paul himself suffered persecutions and warned in his writings of persecutions that would come to the faithful (2 Corinthians 11:24-28; 12:10; 2 Timothy 3:11,12). Having read and understood this, we must be willing to suffer and should not find it strange when we are called upon to suffer persecutions for righteousness’ sake (Matthew 5:10-12; 1 Peter 4:12-16; Revelation 2:10).
4) Abound in love – 1 Thessalonians 3:12,13
Apostle Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 3:12,13 that “And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: to the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.” The love that Apostle Paul mentioned in these verses is the agape type of love.
Occasionally, some liberal-minded brethren accuse preachers who boldly teach the truth of not “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15), or of being caustic, unloving, abusive, or abrasive. Likewise, some brethren accuse other preachers who boldly “reprove, rebuke, and exhort” of knowing only how to preach on divisive issues, of blasting the denominations, or of nailing or clobbering church members for their shortcomings. Sadly, brethren who make such charges really don’t know the true Bible meaning of love. Remember and reflect on Apostle Paul’s words: “speaking the TRUTH in LOVE” (Ephesians 4:15).
Understanding agape love
Agape love is the type of love that “does not always run with natural inclinations, nor does it spend itself upon those for whom a natural affinity is discovered – love seeks the welfare of all” (Vine).
We can portray agape love by considering the words of Jesus when he commanded: “But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:44-48).
More on agape love
Some people say that “Faults are thick where love is thin.” Read 1 Corinthians 13 and John 13:34-35 and determine how true this statement is. Behold, Godly love (agape love) has to do with abounding in love for:
- God. Keeping His commands, maintaining the right attitude towards His word, and service to Him.
- Christ. Submission to, and appreciation for, the Sacrifice He made for us. Diligent service and respect for His authority, His name, His church, and His doctrine.
- The Holy Spirit. Utmost respect for the revealed word, as well as diligently studying it, living it, teaching it, earnestly contending for it, and defending it when it is under attack.
- Alien sinners. Being “an example of the believers” (1 Timothy 4:12), working to teach and save those who are willing to hear the gospel of Christ.
- Faithful brethren. Encouraging, commending, edifying, and helping them accomplish the Lord’s work.
- Unfaithful brethren. Warning, rebuking, exhorting, restoring, and withdrawing fellowship from the impenitent.
- Enemies. Praying for, doing good to, blessing, feeding the hungry, and giving drink to the thirsty.
5) Abound in knowledge and judgment – Philippians 1:9,10
Apostle Paul says in Philippians 1:9,10 that “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.” Behold, Christians are to abound and grow in the knowledge of God’s word. Have in mind that the Bible commands and exhorts us to study God’s word (2 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 5:12-14; Ephesians 3:3,4; 5:17; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:17,18). In order for us to remain steadfast in our faith in Christ, we must possess knowledge about His word, will, and way.
Our judgment must always be based on the revealed word. As Christians, we are to “Judge righteous judgment.” Jesus Christ Himself commanded us to “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24). That is, our judgment must not be passed on our own personal standards, but on Bible principles of Truth (Matthew 7:1-5). Therefore, righteous judgment requires the correct application of Bible truths. Apostle James taught that we are to be “doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 2:22-25).
6) Abound in giving as we have been prospered – 1 Corinthians 16:1,2
Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 16:1,2 that “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” Note that the Macedonians mentioned by Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 are examples of cheerful/abundant givers. According to the Apostle, they “first gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us by the will of God” (verse 5). Those who find it difficult to give on the “first day of the week” (which means every week) have not first given themselves to the Lord. That is, they are not willing givers.
Apostle Paul encouraged and exhorted the Corinthians to be of such a mind as the Macedonians, to abound in giving, to sow bountifully. He wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 saying, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always, having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.”
7) Abound in every good work – John 9:4
John 9:4 says, “I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” Likewise, it is expected of us Christians to do good works. We are to do “the work of the Lord.” That is, we are to do all that He has commanded us to do. Jesus Christ, during His earthly ministry, openly did His Father’s work. Just as Christ was obedient to His Father, we must be obedient to all things (godly works) commanded by Christ.
In the same light, Apostle Paul in his letter to the Colossian brethren said, “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.” (Colossians 1:9,10; cf. Mark 14:6-9; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Philippians 1:6; 1 Timothy 3:1; 5:10; 2 Timothy 2:21; Hebrews 13:21).
8) Abound in partaking of the “divine nature” – 1 Peter 2:3,4
1 Peter 2:3,4 says, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” Apostle Peter teaches that we can partake in the divine nature by building and maintaining an obedient faith (which is the very foundation of what we believe, teach, and practice according to verse 5 through 7). In doing this, we must add:
- Knowledge (Knowledge of God’s word);
- Virtue (strength, manliness, moral excellence, and courage);
- Brotherly kindness (love [phileo-Gk.] of the brethren); charity (love, [agape-Gk.];
- Temperance (Self-control);
- Godliness (an attitude and actions that result in an acceptable relationship with God); and
- Patience (long-suffering, persistence, endurance, and perseverance).
We can find the result of these additions to our faith in 2 Peter 1:8-10 – “For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.”
Marks of God’s Abounding Grace (1 Timothy 1:12-17)
1 Timothy 1:12-17 says, “I am grateful to the one who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me faithful in putting me into ministry, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I was treated with mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief, and our Lord’s grace was abundant, bringing faith and love in Christ Jesus. This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them! But here is why I was treated with mercy: so that in me as the worst, Christ Jesus could demonstrate his utmost patience, as an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life. Now to the eternal king, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever! Amen.”
It is very important for us to know the marks of God’s abounding grace in the lives of Christians. So, what are the marks of God’s abounding grace in a believer’s life? Behold, each of us has received grace not only for salvation but for many other things. In 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Apostle Paul reflects on God’s abundant grace over his life. In verse 14, he says, “and our Lord’s grace was abundant, bringing faith and love in Christ Jesus.” When Apostle Paul uses the word “abundantly,” it actually means “super-abundantly” or “an exceeding abundant amount.” Note that he added the Greek prefix “huper” to intensify the word “abundant” (pleonazo). Amazingly, the prefix “huper” has made its way into the English Language. It is used of “hypersensitive” people or “hyperactive” children. Below are the marks of God’s abounding grace:
1) God’s Abounding Grace Calls and Equips Us to Serve Him
1 Timothy 1:12 says, “I am grateful to the one who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me faithful in putting me into ministry.” When Apostle Paul considered God’s amazing grace, he recognized how God called and equipped him for ministry. He was appointed into service as an Apostle. When he says that he was “strengthened,” it can as well be translated as he was made “equal to the task.” Note that Paul was not equipped in his own strength to serve as an apostle and to suffer the persecution that came with the apostolic ministry. The Lord God Almighty made him equal to the task, and this is true for us as well. It is worth noting that in whatever way that God has called us to serve, He makes us equal to the task.
Note how God speaks to Jeremiah, who felt unequipped to speak as a prophet. In Jeremiah 1:6-10, he says, I answered, “Oh, Lord God, I really do not know how to speak well enough for that, for I am too young.” The Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ But go to whomever I send you and say whatever I tell you. Do not be afraid of those to whom I send you, for I will be with you to protect you,” says the Lord. Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I will most assuredly give you the words you are to speak for me. Know for certain that I hereby give you the authority to announce to nations and kingdoms that they will be uprooted and torn down, destroyed and demolished, rebuilt and firmly planted.”
2) God’s Abounding Grace Forgives Our Sins
1 Timothy 1:13 says, “even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I was treated with mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief.” In addition to calling and equipping us to serve, God’s grace continually forgives and removes the guilt of our sin. Paul said that despite the fact that he was a blasphemer, persecutor, and violent man, he was given mercy because he acted in ignorance and unbelief. As a blasphemer, Paul blasphemed Christ. As a persecutor, he imprisoned and put Christians to death. And as a violent man, Paul delighted in hurting believers – he was more like a bully or a sadist. Paul’s wickedness had reached its max as he didn’t want to hear anything about believers and was always willing and ready to persecute them in all ways. Though he was so sinful, God’s grace still forgave him.
God’s grace forgives us as it did to Paul. That is, His super-abundant grace and mercy meet us in our failures. It is in this light that 1 John 1:9 says, “But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness.” This Biblical verse makes us understand that when we confess, not only does God forgives the sins we confessed, but he purifies us from “all unrighteousness.” That is, when we confess known sin, God cleanses us even from unknown sin. We call this super-abundant grace. Paul says, “I was treated with mercy ‘because’ I acted ignorantly in unbelief.” Thus, does our ignorance make us less responsible for our sins? Wh