1 Corinthians 15

Commentary

The Resurrection of Christ

1Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.

The Resurrection of the Dead

12Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

The Order of Resurrection

20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 24Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

29Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? 30And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? 31I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. 33Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 34Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

The Resurrection Body

35But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? 36Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: 37And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: 38But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. 39All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. 40There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

42So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

Where O Death is Your Victory?

(Isaiah 57:1-2)

50Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Resurrection of Christ

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.

The Resurrection of the Dead

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.

The Order of Resurrection

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.

The Resurrection Body

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.

Where, O Death, Is Your Victory?
(Hosea 13:9–14)

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.

The Resurrection of Christ

1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, and in which you stand firm. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: 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 a and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 And last of all He appeared to me also, as to one of untimely birth.

9 For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 11 Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.

The Resurrection of the Dead

12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is worthless, and so is your faith. 15 In that case, we are also exposed as false witnesses about God. For we have testified about God that He raised Christ from the dead, but He did not raise Him if in fact the dead are not raised.

16 For if the dead are not raised, then not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If our hope in Christ is for this life alone, we are to be pitied more than all men.

The Order of Resurrection

20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own turn: Christ the firstfruits; then at His coming, those who belong to Him.

24 Then the end will come, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father after He has destroyed all dominion, authority, and power. 25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put everything under His feet.” b Now when it says that everything has been put under Him, this clearly does not include the One who put everything under Him. 28 And when all things have been subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will be made subject to Him who put all things under Him, so that God may be all in all.

29 If these things are not so, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? 30 And why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31 I face death every day, brothers, as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for human motives, what did I gain? If the dead are not raised,

“Let us eat and drink,

for tomorrow we die.” c

33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.” d 34 Sober up as you ought, and stop sinning; for some of you are ignorant of God. I say this to your shame.

The Resurrection Body

35 But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” 36 You fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37 And what you sow is not the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or something else. 38 But God gives it a body as He has designed, and to each kind of seed He gives its own body.

39 Not all flesh is the same: Men have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another, and fish another. 40 There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies. But the splendor of the heavenly bodies is of one degree, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is of another. 41 The sun has one degree of splendor, the moon another, and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.

42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. 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. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being;” e the last Adam a life-giving spirit.

46 The spiritual, however, was not first, but the natural, and then the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. 48 As was the earthly man, so also are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so also shall we bear the likeness of the heavenly man.

Where, O Death, Is Your Victory?
(Hosea 13:9–14)

50 Now I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must be clothed f with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.

54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, g then the saying that is written will come to pass: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” h

55 “Where, O Death, is your victory?

Where, O Death, is your sting?” i

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 and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

 

Footnotes:

5 a That is, Peter
27 b Psalm 8:6
32 c Isaiah 22:13
33 d Probably a quote from the Greek comedy Thais  by Menander
45 e Genesis 2:7
53 f Or clothe itself
54 g WH does not include and the mortal with immortality .
54 h Isaiah 25:8
55 i Hosea 13:14 (see also LXX); BYZ and TR “Where, O Death, is your sting? Where, O Hades, is your victory?”

The Resurrection of Christ

1And I make known to you, brethren, the good news that I proclaimed to you, which also ye did receive, in which also ye have stood, 2through which also ye are being saved, in what words I proclaimed good news to you, if ye hold fast, except ye did believe in vain,

3for I delivered to you first, what also I did receive, that Christ died for our sins, according to the Writings, 4and that he was buried, and that he hath risen on the third day, according to the Writings, 5and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve, 6afterwards he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain till now, and certain also did fall asleep; 7afterwards he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8And last of all -- as to the untimely birth -- he appeared also to me, 9for I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I did persecute the assembly of God, 10and by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace that is towards me came not in vain, but more abundantly than they all did I labour, yet not I, but the grace of God that is with me; 11whether, then, I or they, so we preach, and so ye did believe.

The Resurrection of the Dead

12And if Christ is preached, that out of the dead he hath risen, how say certain among you, that there is no rising again of dead persons? 13and if there be no rising again of dead persons, neither hath Christ risen; 14and if Christ hath not risen, then void is our preaching, and void also your faith, 15and we also are found false witnesses of God, because we did testify of God that He raised up the Christ, whom He did not raise if then dead persons do not rise; 16for if dead persons do not rise, neither hath Christ risen, 17and if Christ hath not risen, vain is your faith, ye are yet in your sins; 18then, also, those having fallen asleep in Christ did perish; 19if in this life we have hope in Christ only, of all men we are most to be pitied.

The Order of Resurrection

20And now, Christ hath risen out of the dead -- the first-fruits of those sleeping he became, 21for since through man is the death, also through man is a rising again of the dead, 22for even as in Adam all die, so also in the Christ all shall be made alive, 23and each in his proper order, a first-fruit Christ, afterwards those who are the Christ's, in his presence, 24then -- the end, when he may deliver up the reign to God, even the Father, when he may have made useless all rule, and all authority and power -- 25for it behoveth him to reign till he may have put all the enemies under his feet -- 26the last enemy is done away -- death; 27for all things He did put under his feet, and, when one may say that all things have been subjected, it is evident that He is excepted who did subject the all things to him, 28and when the all things may be subjected to him, then the Son also himself shall be subject to Him, who did subject to him the all things, that God may be the all in all.

29Seeing what shall they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? why also are they baptized for the dead? 30why also do we stand in peril every hour? 31Every day do I die, by the glorying of you that I have in Christ Jesus our Lord: 32if after the manner of a man with wild beasts I fought in Ephesus, what the advantage to me if the dead do not rise? let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die! 33Be not led astray; evil communications corrupt good manners; 34awake up, as is right, and sin not; for certain have an ignorance of God; for shame to you I say it.

The Resurrection Body

35But some one will say, 'How do the dead rise? 36unwise! thou -- what thou dost sow is not quickened except it may die; 37and that which thou dost sow, not the body that shall be dost thou sow, but bare grain, it may be of wheat, or of some one of the others, 38and God doth give to it a body according as He willed, and to each of the seeds its proper body. 39All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another of fishes, and another of birds; 40and there are heavenly bodies, and earthly bodies; but one is the glory of the heavenly, and another that of the earthly; 41one glory of sun, and another glory of moon, and another glory of stars, for star from star doth differ in glory.

42So also is the rising again of the dead: it is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption; 43it is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body; there is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body; 45so also it hath been written, 'The first man Adam became a living creature,' the last Adam is for a life-giving spirit, 46but that which is spiritual is not first, but that which was natural, afterwards that which is spiritual. 47The first man is out of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord out of heaven; 48as is the earthy, such are also the earthy; and as is the heavenly, such are also the heavenly; 49and, according as we did bear the image of the earthy, we shall bear also the image of the heavenly.

Where O Death is Your Victory?

(Isaiah 57:1-2)

50And this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood the reign of God is not able to inherit, nor doth the corruption inherit the incorruption; 51lo, I tell you a secret; we indeed shall not all sleep, and we all shall be changed; 52in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, in the last trumpet, for it shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we -- we shall be changed: 53for it behoveth this corruptible to put on incorruption, and this mortal to put on immortality; 54and when this corruptible may have put on incorruption, and this mortal may have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the word that hath been written, 'The Death was swallowed up -- to victory; 55where, O Death, thy sting? where, O Hades, thy victory?' 56and the sting of the death is the sin, and the power of the sin the law; 57and to God -- thanks, to Him who is giving us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ;

58so that, my brethren beloved, become ye stedfast, unmovable, abounding in the work of the Lord at all times, knowing that your labour is not vain in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15: The Resurrection of Christ

The Gospel of Resurrection

¹ Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. ² By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. ³ For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: 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, and then to the Twelve.

Eyewitness Accounts

⁶ After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. ⁷ Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, ⁸ and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

The Importance of Resurrection

⁹ For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. ¹⁰ But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. ¹¹ Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.

The Resurrection of the Dead

¹² But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. ¹⁴ And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. ¹⁵ More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. ¹⁶ For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.

¹⁷ And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. ¹⁸ Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. ¹⁹ If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

Christ’s Resurrection and Ours

²⁰ But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. ²² For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. ²³ But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.

The Final Victory

²⁴ Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority, and power. ²⁵ For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. ²⁶ The last enemy to be destroyed is death. ²⁷ For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. ²⁸ When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.

The Resurrection Body

²⁹ Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? ³⁰ And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? ³¹ I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. ³² If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”

³³ Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” ³⁴ Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God. I say this to your shame.

The Resurrection Body Explained

³⁵ But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” ³⁶ How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. ³⁷ When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or something else. ³⁸ But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body.

³⁹ Not all flesh is the same: People have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another, and fish another. ⁴⁰ There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. ⁴¹ The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another, and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.

The Resurrection Body

⁴² So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 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. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

⁴⁵ So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. ⁴⁶ The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. ⁴⁷ The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. ⁴⁸ As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. ⁴⁹ And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.

The Victory Over Death

⁵⁰ I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. ⁵¹ Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— ⁵² in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. ⁵³ For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. ⁵⁴ When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” ⁵⁵ “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”

The Power of Grace

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Exhortation to Remain Steadfast

⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm! Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Footnotes

15:1: Highlights the importance of reminding the believers about the foundational aspects of the Gospel.

15:3: Emphasizes the core message of the Christian faith regarding Christ’s death and resurrection.

15:12: Introduces the argument about the necessity of resurrection for Christian belief.

15:22: Compares the consequences of Adam’s sin with the redemptive work of Christ.

15:26: Indicates the ultimate defeat of death, the last enemy.

15:51: Introduces the mystery of transformation at the resurrection.

15:57: Celebrates the victory over death through Christ, reinforcing the theme of hope.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 15?
2Introduction to 1 Corinthians 15
3Context of 1 Corinthians 15
4Ancient Key Word Study
5Compare & Contrast
61 Corinthians 15 Unique Insights
71 Corinthians 15 Connections to Yeshua
81 Corinthians 15 Scriptural Echoes
91 Corinthians 15 Devotional
10Did You Know

What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 15?

Introduction to 1 Corinthians 15

The resurrection chapter of 1 Corinthians stands as one of the most profound theological dissertations in the New Testament. Here, Paul presents the cornerstone of our faith – the resurrection of the Messiah Yeshua and its implications for believers. This masterful exposition addresses the Corinthian church’s doubts about the resurrection while establishing a comprehensive theology of resurrection that spans from the Messiah’s victory over death to the final transformation of believers.

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This chapter serves as the theological pinnacle of Paul’s letter, where he systematically dismantles skepticism about bodily resurrection while painting a magnificent portrait of our future hope. The apostle weaves together eyewitness testimony, theological reasoning, and eschatological hope to present an unshakeable case for the reality and necessity of resurrection in God’s redemptive plan.

Context of 1 Corinthians 15

Within the immediate context of 1 Corinthians, this chapter follows Paul’s correction of various church disorders, including divisions, moral failures, and liturgical confusion. After addressing these practical matters, Paul turns to this foundational doctrinal issue that threatened the very core of the Corinthians’ faith. Some members were influenced by Greek philosophical thoughts that denied bodily resurrection, leading Paul to present this comprehensive defense of this essential doctrine.

The larger biblical context reveals this chapter as a crucial link between Old Testament promises and New Testament fulfillment. Paul’s argument draws from passages like Isaiah 25:8 and Hosea 13:14, showing how the Messiah’s resurrection fulfills prophetic expectations. This chapter also connects to broader themes of creation, fall, and redemption, showing how resurrection is God’s ultimate answer to death’s entrance through Adam’s sin.

The resurrection theology presented here echoes throughout Scripture, from Job’s confession “I know that my Redeemer lives” (Job 19:25) to Daniel’s prophecy of resurrection (Daniel 12:2), culminating in Yeshua’s empty tomb and the promise of our future transformation.

Ancient Key Word Study

  • Anastasis (ἀνάστασις) – The Greek term for resurrection appears 11 times in this chapter. Unlike the Greek concept of immortality of the soul, anastasis emphasizes physical resurrection – literally “standing up again.” This term carries the weight of complete restoration and transformation, not merely resuscitation.
  • Egēgertai (ἐγήγερται) – The perfect passive form of “raised” emphasizes the permanent results of Christ’s resurrection. Used repeatedly in the chapter’s opening, it stresses that the Messiah’s resurrection is a past event with continuing present effects.
  • Aparchē (ἀπαρχή) – Translated as “firstfruits,” this agricultural metaphor carries deep significance in Jewish tradition. Just as the firstfruits offering guaranteed and sanctified the entire harvest, the Messiah’s resurrection guarantees the future resurrection of believers.
  • Katargeitai (καταργεῖται) – “Destroyed” or “rendered powerless” appears in discussing death’s defeat. This term implies complete nullification of authority or power, showing death’s ultimate overthrow through resurrection.
  • Psychikon (ψυχικόν) – The “natural” body contrasted with the spiritual body reflects the Hebrew understanding of nephesh (living being) versus the glorified resurrection state. This isn’t a denial of physicality but a transformation of its quality.
  • Phthora (φθορά) – “Corruption” or “perishability” represents the current state of mortality contrasted with the imperishable resurrection body. The term connects to Genesis’s curse and its ultimate reversal.
  • Eikōn (εἰκών) – “Image” appears in discussing how we bear the image of both the earthly and heavenly man. This recalls Genesis’s creation language and points to restoration of God’s image in resurrection.
  • Mystērion (μυστήριον) – “Mystery” introduces the revelation about final transformation. In biblical usage, this refers not to something incomprehensible but to divine truth previously hidden and now revealed.
  • Nikos (νῖκος) – “Victory” appears in the triumphant conclusion, drawing from prophetic sources to celebrate death’s defeat. The term implies complete and final conquest.

Compare & Contrast

  • Verse 3-4: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures… was buried… was raised.” Paul uses precise language here, employing the aorist tense for died and was buried (single events) but the perfect tense for “was raised” (continuing effects). This grammatical choice emphasizes the enduring impact of the resurrection versus the finished nature of death and burial.
  • Verse 20: The choice of “firstfruits” (aparchē) rather than “first” (prōtos) carries specific theological weight. This agricultural metaphor connects to the Feast of Firstfruits, suggesting not just chronological priority but organic connection between Christ’s resurrection and believers’.
  • Verse 35: The question “How are the dead raised?” uses the present passive indicative, suggesting an ongoing process rather than a single future event. This grammatical choice supports Paul’s agricultural metaphor of continuous resurrection activity.
  • Verse 44: The contrast between “natural body” and “spiritual body” employs soma (body) for both states, deliberately avoiding Greek dualistic terminology that might suggest pure spirituality. This maintains the Jewish understanding of transformed physicality.
  • Verse 45: “The last Adam became a life-giving spirit” uses egeneto (became) rather than ēn (was), emphasizing transformation rather than essential nature, supporting the doctrine of Christ’s two natures.
  • Verse 51: “We shall not all sleep” uses the future passive, indicating divine agency in transformation. The term “sleep” (koimēthēsometha) was chosen over “die” to emphasize the temporary nature of death for believers.
  • Verse 54: The quote from Isaiah employs katepothē (swallowed up) in the aorist, suggesting complete and final victory, while the Hebrew original (בִּלַּע) carries connotations of judgment and destruction.

1 Corinthians 15 Unique Insights

The chapter contains several layers of meaning drawn from Jewish theological traditions. The rabbinical concept of yeḥiyyat ha-metim (resurrection of the dead) was widely debated in the first century, with various schools holding different views about its nature. Paul’s argument aligns with Pharisaic teaching while transforming it through the reality of Messiah’s resurrection.

The sequence of resurrection appearances in verses 5-8 follows a legal pattern recognized in Jewish law, where multiple witnesses establish truth. The specific mention of “more than five hundred at once” exceeds the requirements for legal testimony in both Roman and Jewish contexts, providing an extraordinarily strong historical claim.

Early church father Irenaeus connected this chapter to his doctrine of recapitulation, seeing the resurrection as the ultimate restoration of God’s original creation purposes. The “spiritual body” concept particularly influenced early Christian understanding of the resurrection, avoiding both Greek philosophical dualism and materialistic reductionism.

The chapter’s structure follows an ancient Jewish exegetical pattern: statement of fact (1-11), logical implications (12-34), answering objections (35-49), and practical application (50-58). This rhetorical strategy would have been familiar to Jewish readers while remaining accessible to Gentiles.

1 Corinthians 15 Connections to Yeshua

The Messiah’s resurrection serves as the foundation and prototype for the believer’s future hope. Paul presents Yeshua as the “last Adam,” showing how His resurrection reverses the death brought by the first Adam’s sin. This theological framework demonstrates how the Messiah’s work addresses the fundamental human problem of death and corruption introduced in Genesis 3.

The firstfruits metaphor connects Yeshua’s resurrection to the Feast of Firstfruits, which traditionally fell during Passover week. This timing wasn’t coincidental but demonstrated God’s prophetic planning – just as the firstfruits offering sanctified the entire harvest, so the Messiah’s resurrection guarantees and sanctifies the resurrection of all believers. His resurrection body becomes the template for our future transformation, showing us what we shall be when we see Him as He is (1 John 3:2).

1 Corinthians 15 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter resonates with numerous biblical passages and themes. The victory song over death in verses 54-55 draws from Isaiah 25:8 and Hosea 13:14, showing how the Messiah’s resurrection fulfills prophetic hopes. The Adam-Christ typology connects to Romans 5, while the transformation metaphor echoes 2 Corinthians 3:18.

The agricultural metaphor of seed and plant draws from Yeshua’s teaching in John 12:24. The concept of bearing the image of the heavenly man recalls Genesis 1:26-27 and points forward to complete restoration in Christ. The final trumpet connects to apocalyptic passages like 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and Revelation 11:15.

1 Corinthians 15 Devotional

This magnificent chapter challenges us to live in light of resurrection reality. The certainty of future resurrection should transform how we view present suffering and sacrifice. Paul concludes by urging believers to be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” because we know our labor isn’t in vain.

The resurrection hope affects every aspect of our lives – our view of death, our approach to suffering, our understanding of the body, and our motivation for service. When we grasp that death has been defeated and our bodies will be transformed, it changes how we live now. We can face trials with courage, knowing they’re temporary, and invest in eternal things with confidence.

Did You Know

  • The sequence of resurrection appearances in verses 5-7 follows the Jewish legal requirement for establishing truth through multiple witnesses. The mention of 500 witnesses at once would have been particularly powerful in the ancient world where oral testimony was crucial.
  • The Greek philosophical context of Corinth generally rejected bodily resurrection, preferring the idea of spiritual immortality. Paul’s defense of physical resurrection would have been countercultural and challenging to Greek minds.
  • The term “spiritual body” (soma pneumatikon) was unique to Paul and challenged both Greek dualism (which rejected bodily existence) and Jewish materialism (which sometimes pictured resurrection as merely physical restoration).
  • The reference to baptism for the dead (v.29) remains one of the most debated verses in the New Testament, with over 40 different interpretations proposed by scholars throughout church history.
  • The “mystery” revealed in verse 51 uses terminology common in apocalyptic literature but transforms it to reveal new truth about the resurrection transformation.
  • Paul’s use of “Adam” terminology connects to rabbinical discussions about the effects of Adam’s sin and its ultimate remedy, showing how Yeshua reverses the curse.
  • The victory song in verses 54-55 combines two separate prophetic texts (Isaiah and Hosea) in a way that was common in Jewish exegetical practice called gezerah shavah.
  • The phrase “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” uses the Greek word atomos, meaning an indivisible unit of time – possibly the origin of our word “atomic.”
  • The order of resurrection presented (Christ the firstfruits, then those who belong to Christ at His coming) reflects the pattern of the Hebrew harvest festivals.
  • The reference to being “changed” (allagesometha) in verse 51 uses terminology that in Greek literature often described divine transformations, but Paul applies it to the believer’s resurrection.

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Jean Paul Joseph
Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. Learn more about the F.O.G.

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