‏ 1 Corinthians 15

The Resurrection of Christ

In this section, Paul explains and defends the truth that the dead will rise again. Some people in Corinth were denying this important teaching. Paul shows that belief in Jesus’ death and resurrection is the foundation of Christianity. He reminds the believers that the gospel he preached is based on eyewitness accounts and fulfills Old Testament prophecies. He also shares his own experience with Jesus to prove the truth of the resurrection.

v. 1–2: Paul reminds the Corinthians about the gospel he preached to them. He says, “I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which you also received, and in which you stand” (1 Corinthians 15:1 ^a). This gospel is the foundation of their faith and hope of salvation. If they do not hold firmly to these truths, their faith will be empty. Believing in Jesus’ death and resurrection is necessary for salvation. Without it, Christianity has no meaning or hope (1 Corinthians 15:2 ^b).

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v. 3–4: Paul explains what the gospel is. He delivered to them the most important message: “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4 ^c). Jesus’ death and resurrection were predicted in the Old Testament, and they are the core of the Christian faith (Romans 4:25 ^d).

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v. 5–7: Paul lists people who saw Jesus alive after his resurrection. Jesus appeared to Peter (Cephas), then to the twelve apostles, then to more than five hundred believers at once—many of whom were still alive at the time Paul wrote this letter (Matthew 28:10 ^e). He also appeared to James and to all the apostles again when he was taken up to heaven (Luke 24:50; Acts 1:2, 5–7 ^f).

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v. 8–9: Paul says that Jesus appeared to him last of all, “as to one born out of due time” (1 Corinthians 15:8 ^g). Paul feels humble about his calling because he was not one of the original apostles and had even persecuted the church. He says, “I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God” (1 Corinthians 15:9 ^h). Yet, by God’s grace, Paul was changed and called to serve Jesus (Acts 9:17 ⁱ).

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v. 10: Paul gives credit for everything he has become to God’s grace. He says, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect” (1 Corinthians 15:10 ^j). Even though he worked harder than the other apostles, Paul knows it was God’s grace working in him. He encourages all believers to remember that anything good in them comes from God’s kindness.

v. 11: Paul finishes by saying that all the apostles preached the same gospel, and the Corinthians believed it. “Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed” (1 Corinthians 15:11 ^k). All true Christian faith is based on the message of Jesus’ death and resurrection. This is the heart of the gospel, and it is what all Christians believe and trust for salvation.

The Resurrection of Saints

In this section, Paul answers some people in Corinth who said there is no resurrection of the dead. He shows that this idea is not only wrong but also dangerous for Christian faith. Paul explains that if there is no resurrection, then even Christ did not rise, and everything Christians believe and hope for would be useless. He points out the serious problems that come from denying the resurrection, both for faith and for life.

v. 12: Paul challenges the Corinthians by asking, “If Christ is preached that he rose from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?” (1 Corinthians 15:12 ^l). He is surprised that some Christians would deny something so important, especially since Christ’s resurrection is a proven fact.

v. 13: He argues, “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised” (1 Corinthians 15:13 ^m). If it is impossible for anyone to rise from the dead, then Jesus could not have risen either. But this goes against the prophecies and the many witnesses who saw Jesus alive after his death.

v. 14: Paul says, “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith” (1 Corinthians 15:14 ⁿ). If Jesus did not rise, then the whole message of Christianity falls apart. The apostles would be false witnesses, and their work would be pointless.

v. 15–16: He continues, if Christ did not rise, then the apostles are lying about God, because they have said that God raised Jesus from the dead. “If the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either” (1 Corinthians 15:16 ^o). This would make their testimony false and their ministry empty.

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v. 17: Paul explains, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17 ^p). Without Jesus’ resurrection, there is no forgiveness. We would still be guilty before God, because only his death and resurrection bring us salvation (Ephesians 1:7 ^q).

v. 18: He adds, “Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost” . If there is no resurrection, then believers who have died have no hope. They are gone forever, and faith in Christ would not help them.

v. 19: Paul finishes this part by saying, “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied” . Christians often suffer and give up many things in this world because of their faith. If there is no resurrection and no life after death, then their sacrifices are for nothing, and their situation is worse than anyone else’s.

The Resurrection of Christ; The Resurrection of Saints

In this passage, Paul teaches that the resurrection of Jesus is the foundation and guarantee of the resurrection for all believers. He explains that just as death came through Adam, life and resurrection come through Christ. Paul also describes the order of resurrection and the final victory over death that Christ will accomplish.

v. 20: Paul declares that Christ has truly risen from the dead. He calls Jesus “the first-fruits of those that slept,” meaning that Christ’s resurrection is the first example and a promise that all believers who have died will also be raised. Just as the first-fruits in the Old Testament were an offering that promised a future harvest, Jesus’ resurrection is a pledge that God will raise all who belong to Him (But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept; 1 Corinthians 15:20 ^r).

v. 21–22: Paul explains that since death came into the world through a man (Adam), resurrection from the dead also comes through a man (Jesus Christ). Just as everyone dies because they are connected to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be made alive through Him (For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 ^s).

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v. 23: Paul says there is an order to the resurrection. Christ was raised first, and then, when He returns, all who belong to Him will be raised from the dead (But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming; 1 Corinthians 15:23 ^t).

v. 24–26: Paul teaches that after Jesus returns and raises His people, the end will come. At that time, Christ will defeat all opposing powers and authorities and will destroy the last enemy—death itself. Jesus must rule until everything is under His authority, and then He will give the kingdom to God the Father (Then 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. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death; 1 Corinthians 15:24-26 ^u).

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v. 27–28: Paul explains that God the Father has given all authority to Christ, except for Himself. After Christ has defeated every enemy, He will submit Himself to the Father, so that God will be supreme in everything (For he hath put all things under his feet... And 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; 1 Corinthians 15:27-28 ^v).

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v. 29–34: Paul points out that if there is no resurrection, then it would make no sense for people to be baptized on behalf of the dead, or for Christians to risk their lives for the faith. He urges the believers not to be misled by those who deny the resurrection, and he calls them to wake up and stop sinning, because some among them do not truly know God (Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all?...Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame; 1 Corinthians 15:29-34 ^w).

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The Resurrection of Saints

In this section, Paul answers questions and doubts about how the dead will rise again and what kind of bodies they will have. Some people thought resurrection was impossible or were curious about what the risen bodies would be like. Paul shows that the resurrection is possible through God’s power, and that our bodies will be changed and made fit for eternal life with God.

v. 35: Paul brings up the common questions: “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?” (1 Corinthians 15:35 ^x). Some people doubted God’s power to raise the dead, while others were simply curious about what the resurrected body would be like.

v. 36: He answers that it is foolish to doubt God. He uses the example of a seed: “That which you sow is not made alive unless it dies” (1 Corinthians 15:36 ^y). Just as a seed must die before it grows into a new plant, our bodies must die before God gives them new life.

v. 37–38: Paul explains that what is planted is not the final plant, but just a bare seed. God gives it a new body as He wants. In the same way, when we die, our bodies are like seeds, and God will give us new bodies at the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:37-38 ^z).

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v. 39–41: He shows that God already makes many different kinds of bodies—bodies of people, animals, birds, and fish are all different. There are also different kinds of heavenly bodies, like the sun, moon, and stars, each with its own glory (1 Corinthians 15:39-41 ^aa). This shows that God is able to create bodies fit for any purpose, including resurrection.

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v. 42–44: Paul compares the resurrection to planting seeds. He says, “So is the resurrection of the dead: It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body” (1 Corinthians 15:42-44 ^ab). Our earthly bodies are weak, imperfect, and mortal, but our resurrection bodies will be glorious, strong, and made for eternal life.

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v. 45–49: He explains that the first man, Adam, was made a living soul with a natural body. Jesus, the second Adam, gives us spiritual life. The first Adam was from earth, but Jesus is from heaven (John 11:25; John 6:33 ^ac). We first have bodies like Adam—mortal and weak—but one day we will have bodies like Christ—spiritual and glorious (1 Corinthians 15:49 ^ad).

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v. 50: Paul finishes by explaining, “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption” (1 Corinthians 15:50 ^ae). Our present bodies are not fit for heaven, so they must be changed. Our resurrection bodies will be prepared for eternal life with God, made incorruptible and glorious, ready for our heavenly inheritance (1 Peter 1:4 ^af).

The Resurrection of Saints

In this section, Paul explains more about the great change that will happen to believers at the end of time. He reveals a mystery: not all Christians will die, but all will be changed. This change is necessary for everyone to enter God’s kingdom. Paul describes how death will be defeated forever, and how this victory should lead us to thank God through Jesus Christ.

v. 51: Paul says, “Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:51 ^ag). He means that not every believer will die before Jesus returns, but every believer will be changed. This was new information for the Corinthians.

v. 52: He explains that this change will happen “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet” (1 Corinthians 15:52 ^ah). When Jesus comes back, the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised as incorruptible, and the living believers will be changed instantly (1 Thessalonians 4:16 ^ai). Both living and dead Christians will receive new, immortal bodies.

v. 53: Paul gives the reason for this change: “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:53 ^aj). Our present bodies are weak and die, but to live forever with God, we must be given bodies that cannot die or decay.

v. 54: He says, when this happens, “Death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54; Isaiah 25:8 ^ak). Death will be completely defeated, and believers will never face it again. This is the final victory over death for all who trust in Christ.

v. 55: Paul celebrates this victory by quoting, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55 ^al). He is saying that death and the grave have lost all their power over believers.

v. 56: He explains why death was so terrible before: “The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law” (1 Corinthians 15:56 ^am). Sin brings death, and the law gives sin its power. But Jesus has removed sin’s power by dying for us (Romans 5:12 ^an).

v. 57: Paul gives thanks to God for this victory: “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57 ^ao). It is because of Jesus’ death and resurrection that believers can celebrate victory over sin and death. All praise and joy go to God for what He has done for us through Christ.

The Obligations of Christians

This verse is Paul’s conclusion to his teaching about the resurrection. He gives the Corinthians a strong encouragement based on the hope of eternal life. Because Jesus has conquered death, Christians should stay strong in their faith and live with purpose, knowing that their service to God is never wasted.

v. 58: Paul urges believers to be steadfast and firm in their faith. He says, “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58 ^ap). Christians should trust the gospel, especially that Christ died for our sins and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 ^aq). We should not let anyone shake our belief in the resurrection or take away our hope of eternal life. This hope gives us strength to keep serving God with energy and joy, even when life is hard (John 14:19; Colossians 1:23 ^ar; Hebrews 6:19 ^as). Paul reminds us that our work for the Lord will never be in vain. God sees everything we do for Him and will reward us greatly in the future (Hebrews 6:10; Romans 8:18 ^at). Even if we suffer or lose things for God, He will give us much more in heaven. Our service, sacrifice, and faithfulness are never wasted when they are done for the Lord.