Bible Commentaries
1 Corinthians 15

Verse 1

Moreover = Now.

declare = make known. Greek. gnorizo.

unto = to.

gospel . App-140 .

preached . App-121 .

also ye have received = ye received also.

and wherein, &c . = in (Greek. en. App-104 .) which ye stand also.

Verse 2

By = Through. App-104 . 1 Corinthians 15:1 .

also, &c . = ye are saved also.

if . App-118 .

keep in memory = hold fast. Greek. katecho. See 1 Corinthians 7:30 .

what = with what word. Greek. logos. App-121 . He refers to the substance of his preaching, based as it was on the facts of the Lord's death and resurrection, which last was challenged by some false teachers (1 Corinthians 15:12 ).

unless . See 1 Corinthians 14:5 (except).

have . Omit.

believed . App-150 .

in vain = to no purpose. Greek. eike . See Romans 13:4 .

Verse 3

delivered . Greek. paradidomi. See John 19:30 . Compare 1 Corinthians 11:23 .

first of all = among (Greek. en . App-104 .) the first things.

also received = received also.

Christ . App-98 .

sins . App-128 .

according to . App-104 .

Verse 4

rose again = has been raised. App-178 .

scriptures . Psalms 16:10 . Isaiah 53:9-11 . Jon 1:17 . Compare Matthew 12:39 . Luke 11:29 .

Verse 5

seen . App-133 . In 1 Corinthians 15:5-8 we have the Figure of speech Protimesis. App-6 .

of = by. Dative case.

Cephas . Luke 24:34 .

the twelve . John 20:19 , John 20:24 . The term is used officially.

Verse 6

After that . Greek. epeita.

at once . Greek. ephapax. See Romans 6:10 . There is no mention of this in the Gospels, unless it be Matthew 28:16-20 , where "some doubted" may imply that others than the eleven were present.

unto this present = until now.

some . Greek. tin e s . App-124 .

are fallen asleep . App-171 .

Verse 7

James . See App-182 .

all, &c . Luke 24:50-52 .Acts 1:6-9 .

apostles . App-189

Verse 8

as = as if (it were). Greek. hosperei. Only here.

one born, &c . = an abortion. Greek. ektroma. Only here in NT., but used in Septuagint of Job 3:16 . Ecclesiastes 1:6 , Ecclesiastes 1:3 .

Verse 9

least . Figure of speech Meiosis ( App-6 ).

church . App-186 .

God . App-98 .

Verse 10

grace . App-184 .

which, &c . = Figure of speech Ellipsis. App-6 .

upon . App-104 .

was not = did not become, i.e. prove to be.

in vain . Greek. kenos, empty. Not the same word as in verses: 1Co 15:2 , 1 Corinthians 15:17 .

with . App-104 .

Verse 11

whether, or . App-118 .

preach . App-121 .

Verse 12

from the dead . Greek. ek nekron. App-139 .

among . App-104 .

resurrection . Greek. anastasis. App-178 .

the dead . No art. App-139 .

Verse 13

then, &c . = not even (Greek. oude) has Christ been raised.

Verse 14

be not risen = has not been raised.

preaching . App-121 .

faith . App-150 .

is also = also is .

Verse 15

Yea, and = Moreover.

false witnesses . Greek. pseudomartur. Only here and Matthew 26:60 .

have . Omit.

testified . Greek. murtureo. See p. 1511.

of = against. Gr . kata. App-104 .

if so be that = if ( App-118 .2. a) at least.

Verse 16

not . Greek. oude .

Verse 17

vain = to no purpose. Greek. mataios. See Acts 14:15 . Not the same word as in verses: 1Co 15:2 , 1 Corinthians 15:10 , 1 Corinthians 15:14 , 1 Corinthians 15:58 .

Verse 18

are fallen = fell.

are . Omit.

perished . Greek. apollumi. See 1 Corinthians 1:18 .

Verse 19

life . Greek. zoe. App-170 .

have hope = are having our hope.

of all men, &c. = more to be pitied than all men.

men . Greek. anthropos. App-123 . be

put down is death [Satan].

Verse 20

is, &c . = Christ has been raised. From 1 Corinthians 15:20 to 1 Corinthians 15:28 is a digression. Figure of speech Parembole. App-6 .

and become . All the texts omit.

firstfruits . Greek. aparche. See Romans 8:23 , and compare notes on John 20:1 , John 20:17 .

them, &c . = those who have fallen asleep. See 1 Corinthians 15:6 .

Verse 21

came also = also came.

Verse 22

Adam . Literally the Adam.

all die . By virtue of their relationship to Adam. See Romans 5:12-19 .

even so, &c . = so in Christ also. Christ also has a relationship to the human race. It is that of Lordship (Romans 14:9 ). This is acknowledged by some now (John 13:13 ; John 20:28 ), and brings salvation (Romans 10:9 ). It is the work of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3 ). Hence Judas only said, "Master" (Matthew 26:25 , Matthew 26:49 ). The natural man rebels against such acknowledgment (Exodus 5:2 .Psalms 2:2 , Psalms 2:3 ; Psalms 12:4 .Luke 19:14; Luke 19:14 ). But this Lordship shall one day be asserted and acknowledged by all, including the arch-rebel himself (Psalms 2:6 , Psalms 2:7 . Philippians 1:2 , Philippians 1:9-11 .Revelation 19:16; Revelation 19:16 ). To this end all must be raised.

made alive . Greek. zoopoiea. See Romans 4:17 . Compare John 5:28 , John 5:29 .

Verse 23

every man = each one.

order . Greek. tagma. Only here in NT. It is used in the Septuagint of a body of soldiers. Numbers 2:2 , &c. (rank). 2 Samuel 23:13 (army).

afterward . Greek. epeita. Same as verses: 1 Corinthians 15:6-7 .

at = in. Greek. en . App-104 .

coming . Greek. parousia. See Matthew 24:3 .

Verse 24

end . Greek. telos . Not the same "end" as in 1 Corinthians 1:8 . Christ's coming brings that "end", but this is the end of the millennial age.

shall, &c . The texts read, "delivers up".

kingdom . See App-112 , App-113 , App-114 .

Father . App-98 .

put down = brought to nought. Greek. katargeo. See Romans 3:3 .

rule . Greek. arche. App-172 .

authority . App-172 .

power . App-172 . Compare Ephesians 1:21 . 1 Peter 3:22 .

Verse 25

under . App-104 . It is God Who puts all enemies under Christ's feet. The fifth quotation of Psalms 110:1 . Compare Matthew 22:44 .

Verse 26

The last enemy, &c . Literally, Death, the last enemy, is destroyed. Figure of speech Prolepsis 1. App-6 .

destroyed . Same word as "put down", 1 Corinthians 15:24 .

Verse 27

hath put = subjected. Greek. hupotasso. Contrast the first occurance: Luke 2:51 .

put under Him = subjected. This quotation is from Psalms 8:6 .

He is excepted = it is with the exception of Him.

Verse 28

subdued = subjected, as above.

also Himself = Himself also.

subject = subjected. It is the Father Who puts all enemies as a footstool for the feet of the Son. See Matthew 22:44 . But when this is done, the Son rises up, takes His great power and reigns (Revelation 11:17 ), and putting His feet on the footstool, treads down the nations His enemies, and continues to put down all that exalts itself against God throughout His millennial reign. See Psalms 18:37-50 ; Psalms 60:12 ; Psalms 101:8 (Revised Version); 1Co 145:20 . Isaiah 63:3 , Isaiah 63:6 . Revelation 19:15 .

that = in order that. Greek. hina.

all in all . In verses: 1 Corinthians 15:27-28 , panta Occurs six times, in five of them translated "all things". It must be the same here. There is an ellipsis, and it should read "over all things in all (places)", i.e. everywhere supreme.

Verse 29

baptized, &c . See 1 Corinthians 15:20 . This question follows on from 1 Corinthians 15:19 .

baptized = being baptized.

the dead. App-139 .

why are they, &c . Read, why are they baptized also? (It is) for the dead. It is to remain dead, as Christ remains, if there be no resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15:13 . The argument is, What is the use of being baptized, if it is only to remain dead? No suggestion here of the vicarious baptism which sprang up later among the Marcionites and others.

Verse 30

stand . . . in jeopardy . See Acts 19:27 .

Verse 31

I protest, &c . = I affirm (a Greek particle used in affirmations) by the boasting concerning you. The pronoun "your" corresponds to the genitive, not of possession, but of relation. App-17 .

Christ Jesus . App-98 .

Lord . App-98 . For this full title see Romans 6:23 . daily. Greek. kath ' ( App-104 .) hemeran.

Verse 32

after the manner of men = according to ( App-104 ) a man.

have . Omit.

fought with beasts . Greek. theriomacheo. Only here. Figure of speech Metaphor. App-6 . Referring to the riot (Acts 19:28-31 ). Ignatius, in his epistle to the Romans, says, "From Syria even to Rome, I light with beasts . . . being bound to ten leopards, I mean, a band of soldiers, who, even when they receive benefits, show themselves the worse". Clark's Ante-Nicene Library. what, &c. = what is the profit? Greek. ophelos. Only here and James 2:14 , James 2:16 .

me = to me.

let us eat, &c . Many similar expressions of Epicureanism are found in heathen writers. But this is probably cited from Isaiah 22:13 . Compare Wisdom 1 Corinthians 2:5-9 .

Verse 33

deceived . See 1 Corinthians 6:9 .

evil . App-128 .

communications = associations. Greek. homilia. Only here. Compare the verb, Acts 20:11 .

corrupt . See 1 Corinthians 3:17 .

good . App-184 .

manners . Greek. ethos. Only here. In plural = morals. A quotation from the Thais of Menander, an Athenian poet. App-107 .

Verse 34

Awake . Literally Return to sobriety (of mind). Greek. eknepho. Only here in N.T., but in Septuagint Genesis 9:24 . 1 Samuel 25:37 ; &c.

to righteousness = righteously, i.e. as is right. Greek. dikaios, adverb of dikaios. App-191 .

sin . App-128 .

have not, &c. Literally have ignorance. Greek. agnosia. Only here and 1 Peter 2:15 .

to your shame. See 1 Corinthians 6:5 .

Verse 35

some man = some one. App-123 .

what = what kind of.

the dead. App-139 .

Verse 36

fool . See Luke 11:40 . The fourth occurance:

quickened . Same as "made alive", 1 Corinthians 15:22 .

except . Greek. ean ( App-118 ) me ( App-105 ).

Verse 37

bare = naked. Greek. gumnos. Always translated "naked" elsewhere.

it may chance = if ( App-118 . b) it should happen.

of some other = of some one (Greek. tis) of the rest (Greek. loipos. App-124 .)

Verse 38

as it hath, &c . = even as He purposed. App-102 . Compare 1 Corinthians 12:18 .

every seed = each of the seeds. In verses: 1 Corinthians 15:36-38 the apostle shows that as we know not how the seeds come to life and grow up (Mark 4:27 ), much less do we know how the resurrection change is effected.

his = its.

Verse 39

All flesh, ! &c . = Not all flesh is the same flesh.

one . App-124 .

another . Same as "one". Greek. allos.

beasts . See Acts 23:24 .

birds . Greek. ptenon. Only here.

Verse 40

celestial. Greek. epouranios. Occurs twenty times. Translated "heavenly" except in this verse, Ephesians 6:12 , Philippians 2:10 . See John 3:12 .

terrestrial . Greek. epigeios. Occurs seven times. Translated "earthly" except here in this verse and Philippians 2:10 . The same contrast is seen in John 3:12 , Philippians 2:10 .

one . . . another. Greek. heteros. App-124 .

Longer Note on 1 Corinthians 15:40 .

1. The subject of 1 Corinthians 15:35-54 is the manner of the resurrection. And the basis is, as the plant to the seed, so spiritual body to natural body, &c. : "thou sowest not the body that shall be (literally come into existence), but a naked grain, as the case may be, of wheat (John 12:24 ), or some one of the rest" (1 Corinthians 15:37 ).

2. But in 1 Corinthians 15:39 is set forth differentiation as to "flesh" of mundane organized beings; and in 1 Corinthians 15:41 differentiation in glory (beauty) of the heavenly luminaries. Between these two is 1 Corinthians 15:40 , where the differentiation is commonly regarded as merely between "the resurrection body" and the body that now is. But is the contrast not rather between a . resurrection bodies fitted for life and activities "in the heavenlies", and b . resurrection bodies fitted for life and activities on earth? (e.g. Matthew 19:28 ; compare Ezekiel 34:23 ; Ezekiel 37:24 , &c.)

3. The contrast (differentiation) in 1 Corinthians 15:39 concerns one thing only, i.e. "flesh". That in 1 Corinthians 15:41 also concerns one thing only. Therefore, it is suggested, the contrast in 1 Corinthians 15:40 is between resurrection bodies only , and not between resurrection (flesh and bones) bodies and natural (flesh and blood) bodies. If the glory ( doxa ) spoken of here is to be applied to the body that now is, where, alas! is the evidence of it?

4. As the resurrection is still future, the ellipses may be supplied and the verse rendered, thus: "And heavenly bodies (there will be) and earthly bodies; but of one kind indeed (will be) the glory of the heavenly, and another kind that of the earthly".

Verse 41

one, another, another . Greek. alios. App-124 .

one, another . Omit.

Verse 42

also, &c . = is the resurrection of the dead also, i.e. with a different body.

corruption . Greek. phthora. See Romans 8:21 . The four contrasts in verses: 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 give the Figure of speech Symploke. App-6 .

incorruption . Greek. aphtharsia. See Romans 2:7 .

Verse 43

power . App-172 .

Verse 44

natural . Greek. psuchikos. See 1 Corinthians 2:14 .

spiritual . Greek. pneumatikos. See 1 Corinthians 12:1 .

and there is = there is also.

Verse 45

And so, &c . = So it has been written also. We have the proofs from nature and analogy of the variety and resources in the Divine working, and the testimony of the Word besides.

was made . Literally became into. Greek. egeneto eis. The exact expression used in Genesis 2:7 (Septuagint)

soul . Greek. psuche. App-110 .

a quickening spirit = into ( eis ) a quickening spirit. See John 5:21 .

spirit . App-101 .

Verse 46

Howbeit, &c . Read "But not first the spiritual, but the natural".

and . Omit.

that which is = the.

Verse 47

earth . App-129 .

earthy . Greek. choikos. Only here and in verses: 1 Corinthians 15:48-49 . The noun chous, dust, is found in the Septuagint Genesis 2:7 . Psalms 22:15 ; Psalms 104:29 . Ecclesiastes 3:20 .

the Lord . All the texts omit.

from . App-104 . Same as "of", previous line.

heaven . Singular. See Matthew 6:10 .

Verse 48

heavenly . Greek. epotiranios. Same as "celestial", 1 Corinthians 15:40 .

Verse 49

image . Greek. eikon. See Romans 1:23 .

also bear, &c . = bear the image also.

Verse 50

flesh and blood . See Matthew 16:17 .

cannot = are not (Greek. ou, as in 1 Corinthians 15:9 ) able to.

kingdom of God . App-114 .

neither . Greek. oude.

Verse 51

Behold . App-133 .:2.

shew = tell.

mystery = secret. App-193 .

sleep = be sleeping. App-171 .

be changed . Greek. allasao. See Acts 6:14 .

Verse 52

moment . Greek. atomos, literally that which cannot be out or divided. Hence "atom". Only here.

twinkling . Greek. ripe. Only here.

incorruptible . Greek. aphthartos. See Romans 1:23 .

Verse 53

corruptible . Greek. phthart o s . See Romans 1:23 .

mortal . Greek. thnetos. See Romans 6:12 .

immortality . Greek. athanasia. Only here, 1 Corinthians 15:54 , and 1 Timothy 6:16 . In Romans 2:7 and 2 Timothy 1:10 aphtharsia is translated immortality.

Verse 54

saying = word. App-121 .

swallowed up . Greek. katapino. Elsewhere Matthew 23:24 . 2Co 2:7 ; 2 Corinthians 5:4 .Hebrews 11:29 . 1 Peter 5:8 . Revelation 12:16 .

in = unto. App-104 .

victory . Greek. nikos. Only here, verses: 1 Corinthians 15:55 , 1 Corinthians 15:57 , and Matthew 12:20 . The quotation is from Isaiah 25:8 , and the following verse from Hosea 13:14 . App-107 .

Verse 55

sting . Greek. kentron. See Acts 26:14 .

grave . Greek. hades. App-131 . The texts read "death" (Greek. thanatos) .

Verse 56

strength = power, as in verses: 1 Corinthians 15:24 , 1 Corinthians 15:43 .

Verse 57

thanks . App-184 .

Jesus Christ . App-98 .

Verse 58

Therefore = So then.

beloved . App-135 .

stedfast . Greek. hedraios. See 1 Corinthians 7:37 .

unmoveable . Greek. ametakinetos. Only here.

forasmuch as ye know = knowing. App-132 .

Lord . App-98 .