A STUDY OF FIRST CORINTHIANS

Chapter 15

Introduction: The main point of this to argue the fact that there is a general resurrection of the dead. Why did Paul have to argue this point? It is not because the Corinthians did not believe in the resurrection of Christ. Some among them simply did not believe in a bodily resurrection of everyone else. When Paul initially brought the message of the resurrection to that region, it was met with skepticism and even some mocking (Acts 17:32). Corinth was just 50 miles south of Athens. As we have noticed earlier, the Corinthians had been influenced by some of the philosophers that may have come down from Athens. Greek thought at the time considered the body to be sinful and only a house to the spirit of man. Death set the spirit free from the body. Thus, a bodily resurrection would have been anathema to Greek thought. However, Paul told the Corinthians earlier, that their “faith should not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Cor. 2:5). As we will see, we can find the power of God revealed in the gospel (Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:18).

Facts of the Resurrection 

Verses 1-2. Paul is now dealing with another subject not tied to anything he had mentioned previously. It seems that none of the Corinthians asked any questions about this subject. However, some in the Corinthian church may have informed Paul as to what some of them were thinking about the resurrection. Paul is reemphasizing the gospel that he had already preached to them. They had received it, believed it and obeyed it. There were being saved by it as long as they held fast to the message that Paul had delivered to them (Acts 18:8). Paul adds “unless you believed in vain.” Their faith in Christ was not in question, I believe. What would that faith accomplish for them? What would be the end of that faith? Their faith is futile or vain, if there was nothing real to which they looked forward. They were saying that there was no resurrection of the dead (v 12). If there was no resurrection, then the preaching would be empty, their faith would be empty and unprofitable (v. 14, 17). In addition, their stand, perseverance and work in the Lord would be empty (v. 58).

Verses 3-4. Paul delivered to the Corinthians nothing less than what was delivered to him. This he did as a matter of priority. Christ died for man’s sins according to the Scriptures. Jesus’ suffering and death was a matter of biblical prophecy (Psa. 22; Isa. 53). To be put to death necessitated a body (Heb. 10:5-10). The fact that Jesus was buried indicates that something was put into the tomb. According to the Scriptures, the body of Jesus would not see corruption, but would be raised (Psa. 16:9-10). To argue against a bodily resurrection would be to deny that Jesus was raised, for His body was raised up as we will consider later in the chapter. 

Verse 5. Before Jesus’ death, He told Peter that Peter would deny Him. Jesus also told Peter that he would be restored and that he would strengthen his brethren (Luke 24:31-34). Jesus’ appearance to Peter after His resurrection was for that very purpose. Paul seems to give a chronological account of the appearances of Jesus after His resurrection. However, Paul does not mention every appearance Jesus made. He does not mention the women nor does he mention the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35). The disciples did attest to the fact that Jesus appeared to Peter (Luke 24:33-34). The reason, I believe Paul mentions Peter first is that among the Corinthians there were those that were influenced by and had allegiance toward Peter (1 Cor. 1:12). Jesus appearing in the flesh to Peter may have impressed at least these of the fact that there is a bodily resurrection. Jesus also appeared to the twelve. I believe that this a reference to the appearance recorded in John 20:19-24. Thomas was not present at this appearance, yet they were still considered to be the “twelve.” Judas was dead at this time. There actually would have been ten of them. However, the number seems to be symbolic as a reference to the apostles. Jesus appearance to them left no doubt that he was in bodily form (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:27; 1 John 1:1).

Verse 6. Over five hundred of Jesus disciples saw Jesus at the same time. This probably refers to the meeting in Galilee after Jesus’ resurrection (Matt. 28:7, 10). The fact that the greater part of those were still living indicates that the Corinthians could receive first hand testimony to the fact of Jesus’ bodily resurrection.

Verse 7. Jesus was seen by James. This James seems to be distinguished from any of the apostles of Jesus. I believe this James is none other that Jesus’ brother (Gal. 1:19). Prior to the death and resurrection of Jesus, Jesus’ brothers did not believe on Him (John 7:1-5). Somehow, Jesus appearance to James may have been the spark needed to ignite his passions for the Lord. James went on to be a pillar in the church (Acts 12:17; 15:13-21). He was seen by all of the apostles. This may be a reference to the time of the ascension (Luke 24:50-53; Mark 16:14-20).

Verses 8-10. Paul says that He saw a resurrected Jesus. Paul considers Jesus’ appearance to him as an untimely birth. Unlike the other apostles who walked with Jesus from the beginning of His ministry, Paul was taken from a course of life and placed upon another by the Lord. Paul is humble in his estimation of himself as an apostle. He understands and appreciates the grace of God that the Lord bestowed upon Him. For this reason, Paul did not lag behind in diligence, but excelled in his labors for the Lord.

Verse 11. Paul’s conclusion to this section is that the Corinthians believed in the bodily resurrection of Jesus regardless who preached it to them. The heart of the gospel was Christ’s bodily resurrection. Since they believed in and embraced the bodily resurrection of Jesus, they are in a very contemptible position by claiming there is no bodily resurrection.

Verse 12. Paul questions the Corinthians in a way that reveals his own disbelief concerning the position they are taking on the bodily resurrection. Their position is blatantly contradictory. On the one hand, they believed that Jesus was raised in bodily form. On the other hand, they said that there is no bodily resurrection. They embraced the idea that the physical body was sinful and susceptible to corruption and thus rejected the notion of a bodily resurrection. Yet, why was this position not anathema concerning Jesus’ bodily resurrection? Paul will make five arguments proving that there will be a bodily resurrection.

Verses 13-14. The first argument that Paul makes is one from consequence. He is saying that the resurrection of the dead is a matter of consequence. If there is no resurrection of the dead, the consequence is that Christ has not risen. Moreover, if Christ has not risen, the consequence is that the preaching of the gospel is vain or empty. It is a lie or fabrication. It is a gross deception. Not only is the preaching of the gospel vanity, but so is their faith. It is built on a deception.

Verse 15. Another consequence is that by preaching the gospel, the preachers bore false witness against God. One of the commandments was that a person could not bear false witness against his neighbor (Rom. 13:9). Every sin and transgression brought with it a suitable punishment (Heb. 2:2). How much worse do you suppose a person to be who bears false witness against God? If there is no resurrection of the dead, and Christ is not raised, then those preachers would have said that God did something he really did not do.

Verses 16-19. Paul appears to be repeating what he said in verse 13-14. However, he uses another word for vain in the Greek. The word here means “futile, useless, and unprofitable, of no result.” If there is no resurrection, then Jesus is not raised and men are still in sin. If Jesus had no power over death, that He might rise triumphant over it, then we are still under the penalty of sin ergo still in sin. In addition, those who have died up until now have all perished. If all this time men hoped for the blessedness to come after death only to find themselves in torment as a consequence of no resurrection of the dead, they should be pitied.

Order of the Resurrection 

Verse 20. This section begins Paul’s logical argument about the resurrection of the body. Paul attests to the certainly of a bodily resurrection when He says that Jesus is the firstfruits of those that were dead. Jesus was not the first to rise from the dead. However, he is the first to rise from the dead, never to die again (Rev. 1:17-18). The firstfruits in the Old Testament were given to the Lord as an earnest that more of the crop would follow. Jesus is the earnest that God provides in demonstration of the fact that others will be raised from the dead in bodily form.

Verses 21-22. First, I need to point out that these verses refer to what takes place physically, not spiritually. We are considering physical death in antithesis of physical life. Because of Adam’s sin, men die physically. No one is excluded from this general rule. Jesus had to become a man to reverse the consequence of man’s sin. Because of Jesus death, burial and resurrection, Jesus was able to bring about the resurrection of the body of all who die. Paul expounds upon this point by saying that just as all die because of Adam, all will be made alive because of Christ. The all includes all men whether righteous or unrighteous. This correlates with what Jesus taught in John 5:28-29 and what Revelation says in 20:11-13. The all that die in Adam is the same all made alive. Some believe that the unrighteous will not be raised with a body.

Verse 23-24. Paul reveals that the resurrection will be an orderly sequence of events. The first event that has taken place is Christ’s resurrection from the dead. The next event is the resurrection of those that are His at his coming (2^nd Coming). Paul is not considering the resurrection of the wicked here, although they are raised at the same time. After the general resurrection takes place, then comes the end (last part, conclusion). In the end, Jesus will deliver up the kingdom (saints, church) to God (1 The. 4:13-17). These are sequential events that take place in an instant (1 Cor. 15:52). All these things will take place as Jesus ends the rule and power of all that was in opposition to God (Eph. 6:12).

Verses 25-26. The purpose for which the Father has given Jesus dominion, sovereignty and authority Jesus will have completed. Once Jesus casts down all of the enemies of God, He will be able to give up His rule. The last enemy that Jesus will destroy is death (Rev. 20:14). In the sequence of events, please notice that Jesus does not come to rapture the church, then have a battle of Armageddon, followed by a return to the earth to set up a thousand year kingdom. Paul does not mention these other events because they will not happen.

Verses 27-28. Paul quotes from Psalm 8:6. This psalm speaks about man in general concerning the purpose that God intended for Adam. However, if this psalm in the strictest sense does not refer to Christ, then it will be left unfulfilled (Heb. 2:6-9). Why does Paul mention this? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then all things had not been subject to Christ. For even death is to be placed under Jesus feet. The fact that all things are made subject Christ is a part of the divine plan to bring men to God. If there is no bodily resurrection, then, not only are all things not subject to Christ, but also how will He be able to deliver up the kingdom to God. Because all things are subject to Christ does not mean that the Father is subject to Christ. He, who makes things subject to the son, implies that He is one who has all things subject to Himself even the son.

Verses 29-30. This section begins Paul’s argument from motivation. If there is no resurrection of the dead and Christ is not raised, why would anyone be baptized, suffer, and put his life on the line? The phrase “baptized for the dead” has been the subject of much controversy and interpretation. Rather than go through a list of various interpretations, I will simply state what I believe the passage to say. The interpretation however, must be able to answer certain questions. One, does it fit the context of what Paul is saying concerning the resurrection? Does the interpretation advance Paul’s argument for a bodily resurrection? Does the interpretation parallel what Paul said in verse 30? How would this convince those who denied the resurrection that still worshipped among the saints in Corinth (v. 12). I believe the only interpretation that answers these important questions is that the baptism is that in water for the remission of sins. All who obeyed the gospel submitted to this practice. Paul is asking those who were making the inquiry, “What will they do who are baptized? Is it to be numbered among the dead who God will never raise? If there is no resurrection of the dead, why be baptized? Is it for the dead? Paul refers to “they.” “They” antecedes back to the “some” in verse 12.  Even those who deny the resurrection of the dead obeyed the gospel by submitting to baptism. However, why, if there is no resurrection of the dead? Also, why would Paul and those who preached the gospel be willing to put their lives on the line for something that was never to happen?

Verses 31-32. Paul affirmed that because of his accomplishments among the Corinthians he had a reward (1 Cor. 3:12-15). To deny the resurrection was to deny Paul his reward. He put his life on the line each day through preaching the gospel. He was happy to die for the cause of Christ because of the hope that he had (Phi. 1:19-23). He fought even wild beasts at Ephesus as an ordinary man (2 Tim. 4:17-18). Paul suggests that living righteously in this life is of no consequence, if there is no resurrection of the dead. We might as well live as we would like, doing what makes us feel good for the moment. Because of the hope that we have there are moral safeguards. Only those who are faithful in life realize the hope (2 Tim. 4:6-8; Rev. 2:10).

Verses 33-34. Paul warns those brethren to stop their association with bad company. Such would lead to corrupt moral or habits. The consequence of the Corinthians subjection to such influence may be that since there is no resurrection of the dead, why deny themselves earthly pleasures? They needed to do what was right and listen to right or sound teaching. For people who had prided themselves on being knowledgeable and wise (1 Cor. 4:10), they we behaving ignorantly. This Paul said this to make them feel ashamed. This far, Paul’s arguments were strong and weighty. They would be hard pressed to refute what he had said thus far. Nevertheless, Paul is not finished. He will provide more arguments. To counter any questions they might have. 

Verse 35. The one that would ask such a question would be among those that were saying that there was not going to be a bodily resurrection. This led to Paul’s transitional argument concerning the resurrected body. The querist’s question seems intended to pose a problem for Paul. However, the questioner appeared to believe that Paul was teaching that the body which is placed in the grave is the same body which will be raised. To this Paul will counter with a new argument.

Verses 36-37. Nature is a great teacher of principle. Paul uses this asset to make his argument. The seed that is deposited in the ground is not what comes out of it. The seed must die to effect the life to come. Moreover, that life is physically different from the form which was initially planted. Jesus used this same argument concerning His death, burial and resurrection (John 12:24).

Verses 38-41. God has determined the bodies of different things that he gave them. This He did in accordance with the environment that they would inhabit. Fish have bodies adapted to their environment. Humans have bodies adapted to their environment. Birds have the same. Celestial beings (angels) have bodies that are fitted for their environment. Terrestrial bodies are those which are fitted for the earth. It is reasonable to believe that the resurrected body will be one that is fitted for eternity. Thus, it will be different from the physical body one had while on the earth. This is true of the body’s glory and intended purpose. Not all bodies are the same. God has made bodies that are different to adapt to their environments. So shall it be in the resurrection concerning the resurrected body.

Verses 42-45. Paul contrasts the physical bodies that men have now with the bodies that they will have in the resurrection. The bodies men possess now are subject to decay and corruption. This is not so with the resurrected body. The point of this contrast is to show that what men possess in the material world is not the same as they will possess in the spiritual world. The body that goes into the grave is not the same body that men will possess in the resurrection. Paul says that the body that he will have in the resurrection is one that will originate in heaven (see 2 Cor. 5:1-2).

Verse 46-47. Paul said that there is an order that God follows. The natural is first and then the spiritual. In Genesis 2, God had made the physical habitation for the spirit of man before He breathed that life in it. The earthly Adam came first, and then the heavenly Adam followed. 

Verses 48-49. Paul continues to expound upon the divine arrangement when he says that as all who have born the image of the earthly man that returns back to the dust, so shall all bear the image of the heavenly man who possesses a new body. 

Mystery of the Resurrection 

Verse 50. Paul previously addressed two objections to his previous arguments. Some took issue with how the dead are raised and the kind of body they will have. Now he will deal with the objection based upon the question as to what will become of those who are alive when Christ comes. Paul reiterates the point that the bodies that go into the grave are not the same bodies that come out. In addition, we will not be given another physical, earthly body. He does this by giving the reason for the change of bodies. The physical, earthly body cannot come into the heavenly kingdom. It is not suitable for eternity. As a physical body, it will not last throughout eternity. In the resurrection, all must be changed from an earthly body to one that is suitable for eternity.

Verses 51-52. Paul makes a strong argument to counter the objection to the bodily resurrection. This is an argument from practicality. Since flesh and blood cannot inherit the heavenly kingdom, it is only reasonable to believe that all will be changed. Even those who are alive when Jesus comes must put off their flesh and put on what is necessary to inherit eternity. This will take place in a just a moment. What God took six days to create; He will destroy in just a twinkling of an eye.

Verse 53-56. The corruptible and mortal body will give way to the immortal, incorruptible body. Thus, the two bodies are different. In the resurrection, on the last day, death will be destroyed (v. 26; Rev. 20:11-14). Sin is what led to death (Rom. 6:23). Until there was law, there was no sin (Rom. 7:8).

Verses 57-58. Because of the work of Jesus Christ we can have victory over death and the grave. Having made those arguments, Paul can now conclude that because of the assurance we have in the resurrection, all that we do toward that end will be realized.