The Resurrection

1 Corinthians 15  •  9 min. read  •  grade level: 7
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The following arrangement of 1 Cor. 15 is given, accompanied by an annotation or two, with the hope that the order thereof, may help to throw it into stronger and clearer relief, than that in which it is commonly seen. Here we discover a chain of reasoning, so exquisitely framed, and linked together with such wonderful skill, that it is impossible that it can be the work of any but one hand alone. It naturally divides itself, as will be seen, into eight leading subjects, each comprising a series of parallelisms and contrasts, all bearing on the main point-the doctrine of the resurrection; and as the believer, having proceeded, step after step, through the argument, reaches at last the close of the chapter, he will, in reviewing all the power, the goodness, the love here displayed, gladly echo the words of the apostle, and exclaim, " Thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!"
1 Cor. 15; "the Gospel." (Verses 1-4).
CO 15:1-15:4Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.
Christ's Apostles and Messengers (Αγγελοι) of Whom He Was Seen When Risen (Verses 5-11).
CO 15:5-15:11And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after 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. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time (see 1 Cor. 9:11Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? (1 Corinthians 9:1)). For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed - ("preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world"-1 Tim. 3:1616And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (1 Timothy 3:16)).
The Resurrection Denied. Answer.-a Chain of Hypotheses and Consequences (Verses 12-19).
CO 15:12-15:19Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you, that there is no resurrection of the dead?
Hyp.-But if there be no resurrection of the dead,
Con.-Then is Christ not risen:
Hyp.-And if Christ be not risen,
Con.-Then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ:
Con.-Whom he raised not up,
Hyp.-If so be that the dead rise not:
Hyp.-For if the dead rise not,
Con.-Then is not Christ raised:
Hyp.-And if Christ be not raised,
Con.-Your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
Hyp.-If in this life only we have hope in Christ,
Cox.-We are of all men most miserable.
Christ's Resurrection. Its Results in the Kingdom, and Forever, Etc. (Verses 20-34).
CO 15:20-15:34But now is Christ risen from the dead,
And become the firstfruits of them that slept.
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.
But every man in his own order:
1. Christ the firstfruits;-
2. Afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.-
3. 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 (see Rev. 20:13,1413And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (Revelation 20:13‑14)). For 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.) 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 (see Rev. 21:3-53And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. (Revelation 21:3‑5)).
Else what shall they do which are Baptized for the dead (or "over the dead," ὑπερ των νεκρων), if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?
And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If 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.
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of god (see Matt. 22:2929Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. (Matthew 22:29)): I speak this to your shame.
Two Questions, and Answers (Verses 35-44).
CO 15:35-15:44But some man will say,
(1st Question).-How are the dead raised up? (answered in verses 36-38; 42-44).
and
(2nd Question).-With what body do they come? (answered in the parenthesis, verses 39-41).
First Answer (Verses 36-38).
CO 15:36-15:38Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: and 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: but God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. This shows whether the human body or wheat be considered, that while a wonderful change is effected, identity nevertheless is maintained-that, in both cases, the original germ is preserved).
Second Answer -a Parenthesis (Verses 39-41). CO 15:39-15:41
Second Answer—A Parenthesis (Verses 39-41).
Flesh or Bodies.
All 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.
Illustration of the following fact.
(So)
There are (or will be) also celestial bodies, (i.e. spiritual bodies in heaven), And bodies terrestrial: i.e. (natural bodies on earth).
Fact Illustrated above by the varieties of flesh amongst men and animals.
Glories.
But
The glory of the celestial (spiritual body) is one, And the glory of the terrestrial (body) is another.
Fact afterward illustrated by the gradations of glory in the planetary system.
(Just as)
There 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.
Illustration of the above fact.
First Answer Resumed After The Parenthesis (Verses 42-44).
CO 15:42-15:44He also is the resurrection of the dead.
It is sown in corruption; It is raised in incorruption:
It is sown in dishonor; 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.
There is a natural body, And there is a spiritual body (see verses 39-41).
Christ the Second Adam (Verses 45-50).
CO 15:45-15:50
The first man Adam was made a living soul: The last Adam was made a quickening Spirit.
Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; And afterward that which is spiritual.
The first man is of the earth, earthy: The second man is the Lord from heaven.
As is the earthy, Such are they also that are earthy:
And as is the heavenly, Such are they also that are heavenly.
And as we have borne the image of the earthy, We shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
Now this I say, brethren,
That flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; Neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
The Rapture Of The Saints; Their Bodies Being Changed And Fitted For Heaven (Verses 51-54).
CO 15:51-15:54
Behold, I Show You A Mystery;
We shall not all sleep,
But we shall all be changed (i.e. the living, and the dead), in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump:
For The Trumpet Shall Sound,
And the dead shall be raised incorruptible,
For this corruptible must put on incorruption (i.e. the dead), And this mortal must put on immortality (i.e. the living).
The Song Of Victory, Etc. (Verses 55-58).
CO 15:55-15:58O Death, where is thy sting?
O Grave (or Hades, ἁδη), where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; And the strength of sin is the law (see Rom. 4:1515Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. (Romans 4:15)).
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
E.D.
The Present Testimony: What is it?
Not so much the testimony of good entrusted to man's responsibility (like seed in sowing-time); nor so much the testimony (consequent thereupon) of exhortation, encouragement, and warning (as in the time of growing, or while men slept, and an enemy was sowing tares); nor again the testimony against evil in man as failed: but rather the testimony for God-the living God; as to what is true of and in Him, spite of all that Satan has done, by man's flesh, in this world,-the salvation of the lost and ruined who own Him; the destruction (when the acceptable time has passed, being despised) of all that know Him not.
It is the testimony, as I take it, of the interval between the entire failure in principle, and the judgment consequent upon the development in action of that failure. And this present testimony of what God is in Christ, it is which, I conceive, the, Spirit will use to right the people of God, and to make the wrong of the world exceedingly wrongful.
"But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the lire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."