1 Now I declare to you, brothers, the Good News which I preached to you, which also you received, in which you also stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word which I preached to you - unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all, as to the child born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, who is not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the assembly of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am. His grace which was bestowed on me was not futile, but I worked more than all of them; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 Whether then it is I or they, so we preach, and so you believed. 12 Now if Christ is preached, that he has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ been raised. 14 If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith also is in vain. 15 Yes, we are found false witnesses of God, because we testified about God that he raised up Christ, whom he didn't raise up, if it is so that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead aren't raised, neither has Christ been raised. 17 If Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. 18 Then they also who are fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable. 20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruits of those who are asleep. 21 For since death came by man, the resurrection of the dead also came by man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then those who are Christ's, at his coming. 24 Then the end comes, when he will deliver up the Kingdom to God, even the Father; when he will have abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death. 27 For, "He put all things in subjection under his feet." But when he says, "All things are put in subjection," it is evident that he is excepted who subjected all things to him. 28 When all things have been subjected to him, then the Son will also himself be subjected to him who subjected all things to him, that God may be all in all. 29 Or else what will they do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead aren't raised at all, why then are they baptized for the dead? 30 Why do we also stand in jeopardy every hour? 31 I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32 If I fought with animals at Ephesus for human purposes, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, then "let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." 33 Don't be deceived! "Evil companionships corrupt good morals." 34 Wake up righteously, and don't sin, for some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. 35 But someone will say, "How are the dead raised?" and, "With what kind of body do they come?" 36 You foolish one, that which you yourself sow is not made alive unless it dies. 37 That which you sow, you don't sow the body that will be, but a bare grain, maybe of wheat, or of some other kind. 38 But God gives it a body even as it pleased him, and to each seed a body of its own. 39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds. 40 There are also celestial bodies, and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial differs from that of the terrestrial. 41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is also a spiritual body. 45 So also it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living soul." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However that which is spiritual isn't first, but that which is natural, then that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, made of dust. The second man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As is the one made of dust, such are those who are also made of dust; and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49 As we have borne the image of those made of dust, let's also bear the image of the heavenly. 50 Now I say this, brothers, that flesh and blood can't inherit the Kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 But when this corruptible will have put on incorruption, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then what is written will happen: "Death is swallowed up in victory." 55 "Death, where is your sting? Hades, where is your victory?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord's work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
This important and deeply interesting chapter, I have spoken of as the "third" part of the Epistle. See the introduction. It is more important than any other portion of the Epistle, as it contains a connected, and labored, and unanswerable argument for the main truth of Christianity, and, consequently, of Christianity itself; and it is more interesting to us as mortal beings, and as having an instinctive dread of death, than any other portion of the Epistle. It has always, therefore, been regarded with deep interest by expositors, and it is worthy of the deepest attention of all. If the argument in this chapter is solid, then Christianity is true; and if true, then this chapter unfolds to us the most elevated and glorious prospect which can be exhibited to dying, yet immortal man.
There were, probably, two reasons why the apostle introduced here this discussion about the resurrection:
First, it was desirable to introduce a condensed and connected statement of the main argument for the truth of Christianity. The Corinthians had been perplexed with subtle questions, and torn by sects and parties, and it was possible that in their zeal for sect and party, they would lose their hold on this great and vital argument for the truth of religion itself. It might. be further apprehended, that the enemies of the gospel, from seeing the divisions and strifes which existed there, would take advantage of these contentions, and say that a religion which produced such fruits could not be from God. It was important, therefore, that they should have access to an argument plain, clear, and unanswerable, for the truth of Christianity; and that thus the evil effects of their divisions and strifes might be counteracted.
Secondly. It is evident from 1-Corinthians 15:12, that the important doctrine of the resurrection of the dead had been denied at Corinth, and that this error had obtained a footing in the church itself. On what grounds, or by what portion or party it was denied is unknown. It may have been that the influence of some Sadducean teacher may have led to the rejection of the doctrine; or it may have been the effect of philosophy. From Acts 17:32, we know that among some of the Greeks, the doctrine of the resurrection was regarded as ridiculous; and from 2-Timothy 2:18, we learn that it was held by some that the resurrection was passed already, and, consequently, that there was nothing but a spiritual resurrection. To counteract these errors, and to put the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead on a firm foundation, and thus to furnish a demonstration of the truth of Christianity, was the design of this chapter.
The chapter may be regarded as divided into four parts, and four questions in regard to the resurrection are solved:
1. Whether there is any resurrection of the dead? 1Co. 15:1-34.
2. With what body will the dead rise? 1Co. 15:35-51.
3. What will become of those who shall be alive when the Lord Jesus shall come to judge the world? 1-Corinthians 15:51-54.
4. What are the practical bearings of this doctrine? 1-Corinthians 15:55-58.
I. The dead will be raised; 1Co. 15:1-34. This Paul proves by the following arguments, and illustrates in the following manner:
(1) By adducing reasons to show that Christ rose from the dead; 1-Corinthians 15:1-11;
(a) From the Scripture; 1-Corinthians 15:1-4.
(b) From the testimony of eyewitnesses; 1-Corinthians 15:5-11.
(2) by showing the absurdity of the contrary doctrine; 1Co. 15:12-34:
(a) If the dead do not rise, it would follow that Christ has not risen; 1-Corinthians 15:13.
(b) If Christ is not risen, he is preached in vain, and faith is reposed in him for nothing; 1-Corinthians 15:14.
(c) It would follow that the apostles would be false witnesses and wicked people; whereas, the Corinthians had abundant reason to know the contrary;
(d) The faith of the Corinthians must be vain if he was not risen, and they must regard themselves as still unpardoned sinners, since all their hope of pardon must arise from the fact that his work was accepted, and that he was raised up; 1-Corinthians 15:16-17.
(e) If Christ was not risen, then all their pious friends who had believed in him must be regarded as lost; 1-Corinthians 15:18.
(f) It would follow that believers in Christ would be in a more miserable condition than any others, if there was no resurrection; 1-Corinthians 15:19.
(g) Baptism for the resurrection of the dead would be absurd and in vain, unless the dead arose; it would be vain to be baptized with the belief, and on the ground of the belief that Christ rose, and on the ground of the hope that they would rise; 1-Corinthians 15:29.
(h) It would be in vain that the apostles and others had suffered so many toils and persecutions, unless the dead should rise; 1-Corinthians 15:30-32.
In the course of this part of his argument 1-Corinthians 15:20-28 Paul introduces an "illustration" of the doctrine, or a statement of an important fact in regard to it, thus "separating" the argument in 1-Corinthians 15:19 from the next, which occurs in 1-Corinthians 15:29. Such interruptions of a train of thinking are not uncommon in the writings of Paul, and indicate the "fullness" and "richness" of his conceptions, when some striking thought occurs, or some plausible objection is to be met, and when he suspends his argument in order to state it. This interjected portion consists of the following items:
(1) A triumphant and joyful assurance that Christ "had in fact risen;" as if his mind was full, and he was impatient of the delay caused by the necessity of slow argumentation; 1-Corinthians 15:19-20.
(2) he "illustrates" the doctrine, or shows that it is "reasonable" that the certainty of the resurrection should be demonstrated by one in human nature, since death had been introduced by man; 1-Corinthians 15:21-22. This is an argument from "analogy," drawn from the obvious propriety of the doctrine that man should be raised up in a manner somewhat similar to the mode in which he had been involved in ruin.
(3) he states the "order" in which all this should be done; 1-Corinthians 15:23-28. It is possible that some may have held that the resurrection must have been already passed, since it depended so entirely and so closely on the resurrection of Christ; compare 2-Timothy 2:18. Paul, therefore, meets this objection; and shows that it must take place in a regular order; that Christ rose first, and that they who were his friends should rise at his coming. He then states what would take place at that time, when the work of redemption should have been consummated by the resurrection of the dead, and the entire recovery of all the redeemed to God, and the subjection of every foe.
II. What will be the nature of the bodies that shall be raised up? 1Co. 15:35-51.
This inquiry is illustrated:
(1) By a reference to grain that is sown; -1-Corinthians 15:36-38.
(2) by a reference to the fact that there are different kinds of flesh; 1-Corinthians 15:39.
(3) by a reference to the fact that there are celestial bodies and earthly bodies; 1-Corinthians 15:40.
(4) by the fact that there is a difference between the sun, and moon, and stars; 1-Corinthians 15:41,
(5) By a "direct statement," for which the mind is prepared by these illustrations, of the important changes which the body of man must undergo, and of the nature of that body which he will have in heaven; -1-Corinthians 15:42-50. It is:
(a) Incorruptible; 1-Corinthians 15:42.
(b) Glorious; 1-Corinthians 15:43,
(c) Powerful; 1-Corinthians 15:43.
(d) A spiritual body; 1-Corinthians 15:44.
(e) It is like the body of the second man, the Lord from heaven; 1-Corinthians 15:45-50.
III. What will become of those who shall be alive when the Lord Jesus shall return to raise the dead?
Answer: They shall be changed instantly, and suited for heaven, and made like the glorified saints that shall be raised from the dead; 1-Corinthians 15:51-54.
IV. The practical consequences or influences of this doctrine; 1-Corinthians 15:55-58;
(1) The doctrine is glorious and triumphant; it overcame all the evils of sin, and should fill the mind with joy; 1-Corinthians 15:55-57.
(2) It should lead Christians to diligence, and firmness of faith, and patience, since their labor was not to be in vain; 1-Corinthians 15:58.
The Gospel which the apostle preached to the Corinthians; viz. that Christ died for our sins, and rose again the third day, 1-Corinthians 15:1-4. The witnesses of his resurrection, Peter, James, and more than five hundred brethren, 1-Corinthians 15:5-7. Lastly, Paul himself saw him, and was called by him to the apostleship, 1-Corinthians 15:8-11. Objections against the resurrection of the dead answered, vv. 12-34. The manner in which this great work shall be performed, 1-Corinthians 15:35-49. The astonishing events that shall take place in the last day, 1-Corinthians 15:50-57. The use we should make of this doctrine, 1-Corinthians 15:58.
It appears from this chapter that there were some false apostles at Corinth, who denied the resurrection, see 1-Corinthians 15:12; in consequence of which St. Paul discusses three questions in this chapter: -
1. Whether there be a resurrection of the dead? 1-Corinthians 15:1-35.
2. What will be the nature of the resurrection bodies? 1-Corinthians 15:35-51.
3. What should become of those who should be found alive in the day of judgment? 1-Corinthians 15:51-57.
I. The resurrection he proves,
1. From Scripture, 1-Corinthians 15:1-4.
2. From eye witnesses, 1-Corinthians 15:5-12.
II. He proves the resurrection by showing the absurdity of the contrary doctrine: -
1. If the dead rise not, Christ is not risen, 1-Corinthians 15:13.
2. It would be absurd to have faith in Him, according to the preaching of the Gospel, if he be not risen, 1-Corinthians 15:14.
3. The apostles must be false witnesses who attest this resurrection, 1-Corinthians 15:15.
4. The faith of the Corinthians must be vain who believe it, 1-Corinthians 15:16, 1-Corinthians 15:17.
5. All the believers who have died in the faith of Christ have perished, if Christ be not risen, 1-Corinthians 15:18.
6. Believers in Christ are in a more miserable state than any others, if there be no resurrection, 1-Corinthians 15:19.
7. Those who were baptized in the faith that Christ died for them and rose again, are deceived, 1-Corinthians 15:29.
8. The apostles, and Christians in general, who suffer persecution on the ground that, after suffering awhile here they shall have a glorious resurrection, are acting a foolish and unprofitable part, 1-Corinthians 15:30-32.
INTRODUCTION TO 1 CORINTHIANS 15
The apostle, in this chapter, recommends the Gospel, and gives a summary of it, proves the resurrection of Christ, and by various arguments establishes the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, and answers objections made unto it. He also sets forth the glory there will be upon the bodies of risen saints, and the change that will be made on living ones; and concludes with an exhortation to perseverance in faith and holiness. As his chief view is the doctrine of the resurrection, he introduces this by recommending the Gospel in general, or by observing that this is a principal doctrine which should be remembered and retained, because it was the Gospel which he had preached, and they had received, and had hitherto persevered in, 1-Corinthians 15:1 and besides was essential to salvation, and the means of it, by which they would be saved, if they retained it, except their faith in it was in vain, as it would be should they drop it, 1-Corinthians 15:2. And moreover, the apostle had received it by divine revelation, and had faithfully delivered it to them, and therefore it became them to hold it fast; the sum of which were the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, agreeably to the Scriptures of the Old Testament, 1-Corinthians 15:3 and then he reckons up the eyewitnesses of the latter, as first Peter, then the twelve disciples, then five hundred brethren at one time; next James, and all the apostles; and last of all himself, 1-Corinthians 15:5 of whom he speaks in a very diminishing style, describing himself as an abortive, affirming himself to be the least of the apostles, and unworthy to be in that office, or bear that name, giving this as a reason for it, because he had been a persecutor of the church of Christ, 1-Corinthians 15:9 wherefore he ascribes the dignity he was raised to entirely to the free grace of God; and yet he magnifies his office, and observes, that the gifts of grace bestowed upon him were not in vain, and that he was a more abundant labourer than the rest of the apostles, and had more success; but then he freely declares that all he had, and all he did, were by the grace of God, 1-Corinthians 15:10. But however, not to insist upon the difference between him and other apostles; he observes, that the subject matter of their ministry was the same, namely, a suffering and risen Saviour, and who was also the object of the faith of the believing Corinthians, 1-Corinthians 15:11 wherefore the apostle proceeds to blame some among them for denying the doctrine of the resurrection from the dead, seeing it was a principal part of the ministry of the Gospel, that Christ was risen from the dead, 1-Corinthians 15:12 whereas that would not be true, if there is no resurrection of the dead, 1-Corinthians 15:13 but that Christ is risen, is not only evident from the testimonies of eyewitnesses before produced, but from the absurdities that follow upon a denial of it, as that the preaching of the Gospel was a vain thing, and faith in it also, 1-Corinthians 15:14 yea, the apostles would be no other than false witnesses of God, testifying that he raised up Christ, when he is not risen, if the dead rise not, 1-Corinthians 15:15 which argument is repeated, 1-Corinthians 15:16 and other absurdities following such an hypothesis are added; as besides what was before mentioned, that faith becomes hereby a vain thing, such as have believed in him must be in an unregenerate state, and both under the power and guilt of sin, 1-Corinthians 15:17 nay, not only so, but such who are dead in Christ, or for his sake are lost and perished, 1-Corinthians 15:18 and even those of the saints who are alive must be the most unhappy and miserable of all mortals, 1-Corinthians 15:19. But inasmuch as it is a certain point that Christ is risen, it is as clear a case that the saints will rise, which is argued from Christ being the firstfruits of those that are fallen asleep in him, which secures their resurrection to them, 1-Corinthians 15:20 and from his being their covenant head, as Adam was to his posterity; so that as all his offspring died in him, all the saints will be quickened by Christ, death coming by the one, and the resurrection by the other, 1-Corinthians 15:21. And whereas it might be objected, if this is the case, why did not the saints, who were dead before the resurrection of Christ, rise from the dead when he did, or quickly after? To which it is answered, there is an order observed agreeable to the firstfruits and lump: Christ, the firstfruits, is first, and then they that believe in him, 1-Corinthians 15:23 and this will not be until the second coming of Christ, and the end of all things, when all the elect of God shall be gathered in; and then they will be raised and presented to the Father complete in soul and body, and all rule and authority among men will cease, 1-Corinthians 15:24. But in the mean while Christ must reign until all enemies are subject to him, and the last of all that will be destroyed by him is death; which is another argument proving the resurrection of the dead; for if death is destroyed, the dead must rise, and never die more, 1-Corinthians 15:25 That all things will be put under the feet of Christ, every enemy, and so death, is proved from a testimony out of Psalm 8:6. But to prevent a cavil, and secure the honour of God the Father, he is excepted from being subject to him, 1-Corinthians 15:27 so far is he from being so, that the Son shall be subject to him, and appear to be so as Mediator, by giving up the account of things to him; the end of which is, that God, Father, Son, and Spirit, may be all in all, 1-Corinthians 15:28. The resurrection of the dead is further argued from the sufferings of the saints and martyrs of Jesus, for the sake of him and his Gospel, and particularly this doctrine of it, which are first figuratively expressed under the notion of a baptism, 1-Corinthians 15:29 and then more literally and clearly signified by being in jeopardy, and exposed to danger of life continually, 1-Corinthians 15:30 and which is exemplified in the case of the apostle himself, who was liable to death daily, 1-Corinthians 15:31 of which he gives a particular instance in his fighting with beasts at Ephesus. Moreover, another absurdity would follow upon this, should this doctrine not be true; and that is, that a loose and licentious life, such an one as the Epicureans live, would be encouraged hereby, 1-Corinthians 15:32 from which the apostle dissuades; partly from the pernicious effect of it, which he shows by a passage cited out of one of the Heathens, 1-Corinthians 15:33 and partly from its being contrary to a righteous conversation, and from the stupidity, sinfulness, and ignorance, which such a course of life, upon such principles, declares, 1-Corinthians 15:34. And then the apostle proceeds to answer questions, and remove objections relating to the resurrection of the dead; which questions and objections are put, 1-Corinthians 15:35 which suppose the thing to be impossible and absurd, and to which answers are returned, first by observing, that grain which is sown in the earth first dies before it is quickened, and that it does not rise up bare grain as it was sown, but in a different form and shape, with additional circumstances greatly to its advantage; and has a body given by the power, and according to the pleasure of God, and suitable to the nature of the seed; by which is suggested, that in like manner the body first dies, and then is raised;, and though the same body, yet it is raised in a different form with different qualities, by the power, and according to the will of God; and therefore seeing there are every year such innumerable instances in nature, of dead and putrefied grain being revived, it need not be thought incredible, impracticable, and absurd, that God should raise the dead, 1-Corinthians 15:36 and that the body, though the same shall rise different from what it was when laid in the grave, is illustrated by the difference of flesh in men, beasts, fishes, and birds; which, though all of it flesh, differs from each other; and so will the flesh of the body, in the resurrection, differ from the flesh it is now clothed with, 1-Corinthians 15:39. And the same is further illustrated by the difference there is in the heavenly and earthly bodies, in the sun, and moon, and stars, and in one star from another; all which have respect to the same, showing not any difference there will be in risen bodies among themselves, but in risen bodies from what they now are, 1-Corinthians 15:40 as appears by the accommodation of these similes to the resurrection of the dead; and which differences are clearly expressed, the present bodies being corrupt, dishonourable, weak, and natural, the risen ones being incorruptible, glorious, powerful, and spiritual, 1-Corinthians 15:42. And that the risen bodies will be spiritual, the apostle proves, by comparing Adam and Christ together; the one had a natural body, the other had a spiritual body after his resurrection, 1-Corinthians 15:45 the order of which is given, the natural body of Adam was before the spiritual body of Christ, 1-Corinthians 15:46. Their original is also taken notice of, the one being of the earth, the other front heaven, 1-Corinthians 15:47 and so accordingly the offspring of the one, and of the other, are different; the offspring of the first Adam are earthly like him, and have a natural body, as he had; the offspring of the second Adam are heavenly, as he was, and will have a body like to his; for as they bear the image of the first man, from whom they naturally descend, by having a natural body like to his, so they must bear the image of the second man, the Lord from heaven, by having a spiritual body fashioned like to his glorious body, 1-Corinthians 15:48. And there is an absolute necessity for this, seeing bodies, in their present state, and case, as natural, mortal, and sinful, cannot be admitted into the possession of the kingdom and glory of the Lord, 1-Corinthians 15:50 but inasmuch as all will not die, and so be raised again, but some will be alive at the coming of Christ and the resurrection of the dead, a difficulty arises how the living saints will come by spiritual bodies, in order to inherit the kingdom of God, without which they cannot inherit it: this difficulty the apostle removes, by making known a secret never divulged before, that at the same time the dead will be raised, which will be at the sounding of a trumpet; in a moment, at once the living saints will be changed, and become immortal and incorruptible, as the raised ones, 1-Corinthians 15:51 for so it must be that these corruptible and mortal bodies be clothed with incorruption and immortality, either by the resurrection of them, or a change upon them, when either way they will become spiritual, 1-Corinthians 15:53. And hereby some prophecies in Isaiah and Hoses will have their accomplishment, 1-Corinthians 15:54 on the mention of which, some things in them are explained, as that sin is the sting of death, and the law is the strength of sin, which regard the prophecy in Hosea, 1-Corinthians 15:56 and the victory obtained over death, which is mentioned in the prophecy of Isaiah, is ascribed to God, who gives it through Christ, to whom thanks are returned for it, 1-Corinthians 15:57. And the chapter is concluded with an exhortation steadfastly to abide by the cause of Christ, and in his service; to which the saints are encouraged from this consideration, that they will find their account in it, 1-Corinthians 15:58.
(1-Corinthians 15:1-11) The apostle proves the resurrection of Christ from the dead.
(1-Corinthians 15:12-19) Those answered who deny the resurrection of the body.
(1-Corinthians 15:20-34) The resurrection of believers to eternal life.
(v. 35-50) Objections against it answered.
(1-Corinthians 15:51-54) The mystery of the change that will be made on those living at Christ's second coming.
(1-Corinthians 15:55-58) The believer's triumph over death and the grave, An exhortation to diligence.
SUMMARY.--The Essential Facts of the Gospel. The Resurrection of Christ a Central Fact. The Witnesses of the Resurrection. Those at Corinth Who Denied the Resurrection. The Apostles Then False Witnesses. Our Faith Vain. Death in Adam, but Life in Christ. The Resurrection Body. The Victory Over Death.
*More commentary available by clicking individual verses.