Bible Commentaries
1 Corinthians 15

Verse 1

1 Corinthians 15:1

Problems in the church at Corinth:

# 11 Problem of understanding the Resurrection - ch. 15

Ch. 15 6 sections [See Franklin Camp’s notes]

ch. 15 Paul meets doubt with explanation - not angry denunciation and assertion of important authority.

Moreover -- "de" = transition to a new topic.

Verse 2

1 Corinthians 15:2

Ye are saved -- "Ye are being saved"

Believed in vain -- "became believers" ... without effect, without evidence. (Believed without a change in life and conduct.)

Verse 3

1 Corinthians 15:3

For -- "on behalf of"

Verse 4

1 Corinthians 15:4

Rose again -- Lit. "he had been raised"

The scriptures -- Isaiah 53:5; Isaiah 53:8; Daniel 9:26; Psalms 22:1 ff; Zechariah 12:10; and many types.

Psalms 16:10; Isaiah 53:10; Hosea 6:2; Jonah 2:10; -- Matthew 12:40; Matthew 16:4

RESURRECTION

John 5:28-29 resurrection of the good and bad

1 Corinthians 15:1 ff great entire chapter

1 Corinthians 15:51-53 the living will be changed

1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 18 words of comfort to righteous

Verse 5

1 Corinthians 15:5

The twelve -- Considered as an official group.

Verse 6

1 Corinthians 15:6

Five hundred brethren -- When? Jerusalem or Galilee? Probably on a mountain, Matthew 28:16-17. Jesus’ resurrection was not something done in a corner.

Asleep -- dead, Matthew 27:52; John 11:11; Acts 7:60. "cemetery" = "a sleeping place"

Verse 7

1 Corinthians 15:7

James -- the only one then living and well known was the Lord’s brother, Gal. 2.9; Acts 15.13.

Apostles -- John 12:3-5; Acts 1:3; Luke 24:50;

Verse 8

1 Corinthians 15:8

One born out of due time -- As of a woman normally past the age of child bearing.

Some Various Comings of Christ

*1 Emmanuel, Matthew 1:23; John 1:14; John 6:38; Galatians 4:4 This was the coming of the Lord in the flesh, his birth at Bethlehem.

2 Pentecost, Matthew 16:28 (Mark 9:1) Mark 14:62, Matthew 26:64 In some significant way it could be said that Christ also came on Pentecost representatively when he sent his promise of the Holy Spirit.

3 To Paul at His Conversion __ Acts 26:16, Acts 22:7-9 ; 1 Corinthians 15:8 The Lord came to Paul so he could see him alive after his crucifixion and thus qualify him to be an apostle.

4 In Visions -- To Paul at Jerusalem, Acts 22:17-18 (after conversion); At Corinth, Acts 18:9; again at Jerusalem, Acts 23:11

5 AD 70, His coming in judgment upon the Jews for their rejection. Matthew 24:27, Matthew 24:30, Matthew 24:44, Matthew 24:39; Mark 13:26-30; Luke 21:20-27; Hebrews 10:37; James 5:8

This brought an end to their nation, the temple, the physical priesthood coming from Levi, the end of animal sacrifices, etc. ("Last days"[of the Jewish dispensation] plural)

*6 The Resurrection Day (His Second Coming, -- Cf. "Last Day" singular) 1 Thessalonians 4:13 ff to 1 Thessalonians 5:11; 1 Corinthians 15:23-24 ff; John 14:1-3;

John 5:28; John 11:24; John 6:39; John 6:40; John 6:44;

Verse 9

1 Corinthians 15:9

Least -- thus, "diminutive," "weakly" -- Ephesians 3:8; 1 Timothy 1:13

persecuted the church of God -- The same sad confession is made Galatians 1:13. There is solemnity in the addition of the words “of God”. The identical expression occurs in the Greek version of Nehemiah 13:1. - CBSC

Verse 11

1 Corinthians 15:11

Preach -- kerusso - proclaim, herald (as a public crier).

Verse 12

1 Corinthians 15:12

vs. 12-19 Sermon "Resurrection Implications’

Some -- Jewish converts who considered Christianity a sect, Corinthian Sadducees. Acts 23.6; They apparently spiritualized the resurrection and didn’t accept it literally.

1 Thessalonians 4:14; Romans 8:11;

Verse 13

1 Corinthians 15:13

No resurrection -- ..and that doctrine a lie! 1 Thessalonians 4:14; Romans 8:11;

The resurrection was the central theme of Apostolic preaching, see the book of Acts.

Sermon: If Christ Be Not Raised - 1Cor. 15.14

Verse 14

1 Corinthians 15:14

The resurrection was the central theme of Apostolic preaching, see the book of Acts.

Sermon: I. If Christ Be Not Raised - 1 Corinthians 15:14

v.13 1. He’s not the Savior of the world

a. There can be no faith in Him

v.14 2. Our preaching is vain

a. Paul’s challenge to skeptics -- would he give his life to a known lie.

v.14b 3. Our faith is vain (v. 17)

a. Hopes shattered! Deceived in John 14:1 and Matthew 11:28

v.17 4. We are yet in our sins

a. What Jesus taught about redemption is vain.

b. "Forgiveness" is nothing but a false dream.

v.18 5. Death remains

a. Hope of future relations with loved ones is an illusion.

v.20 II. Paul Changes to the Positive

Sunlight bursts out of the gloom, Shouts assurances of a power to help u.

Encouragement to live better lives.

What the Resurrection Means.

1. The world is not a road that leads nowhere.

2. Forgiveness is real! (Sin nailed to the cross)

3. Death is vanquished - v.22 1 Corinthians 15:22

4. Jesus became the "author of eternal salvation to all who obey" Hebrews 5:9

Verse 15

1 Corinthians 15:15

We have testfied -- Acts 2:32; Acts 4:33; Acts 13:30;

Verse 16

1 Corinthians 15:16

cf. 1 Corinthians 15:13

Verse 17

1 Corinthians 15:17

(see sermon note on 1 Corinthians 15:14)

Yet in your sins -- Romans 4:25 "raised for our justification."

Verse 18

1 Corinthians 15:18

Asleep -- dead, and this for nothing, if there is no resurrection!

Verse 19

1 Corinthians 15:19

Most miserable -- A time when Christians were suffering bitter persecution.’

Verse 20

1 Corinthians 15:20

New Paragraph:

But now -- The truth is ...!

Firstfruits -- A pledge of a harvest.

Verse 21

1 Corinthians 15:21

Death -- resurrection -- Romans 5:12; Romans 5:17; Romans 6:21; Romans 6:23;

Verse 22

1 Corinthians 15:22

In Christ -- Because of His resurrection! Physical death comes to all men as a consequence of Adam’s sin but man does not inherit or stand guilty of Adam’s sin ( see notes at Ezekiel 18:20 ). Note that in the Garden of Eden stood also the Tree of Life Genesis 2:9; Genesis 3:22; and apparently man was driven from the garden so he could not continue to eat of this tree and live without dying Genesis 3:24. cf. Revelation 2:7; Revelation 22:2; Revelation 22:14

Verse 23

1 Corinthians 15:23

Order -- rank, order of succession. Christ, first leading the way, then those belonging to Him at His return. 1 Thessalonians 4:16

The Resurrection Day (His Second Coming, -- Cf. "Last Day" singular) 1 Thessalonians 4:13 ff to 1 Thessalonians 5:11; 1 Corinthians 15:23-24 ff; John 14:1-3;

John 5:28; John 11:24; John 6:39; John 6:40; John 6:44;

Verse 24

1 Corinthians 15:24

The end -- Premillennialists say that at the 2nd coming Christ starts reigning, but the Bible says it is the end of his reign, and the kingdom delivered up to God.

Shall have put down -- annulled, or abolished.

Verse 25

1 Corinthians 15:25

All enemied under his feet -- Psalms 2:9; Hebrews 2:14; Revelation 20:14;

2 Timothy 1:10; Hebrews 10:13; Revelation 11:15

Verse 26

1 Corinthians 15:26

Last enemy -- Psalms 2:9; Hebrews 2:14; Revelation 20:14; 2 Timothy 1:10;

Verse 27

1 Corinthians 15:27

He -- God - Psalms 8:7; Ephesians 1:20-22;

Verse 28

1 Corinthians 15:28

Franklin Camp: Christ subject as a man to God eternally.

[A very important theological verse!!!]

Verse 29

1 Corinthians 15:29

New Paragraph

Baptized for the dead -- Paul does not stop to explain; his point here is regarding the resurrection, not baptism.

1) Baptism by proxy for the dead (Mormon position).

2) Baptism is a picture of death (a burial in water) and a resurrection to a new life. Romans 6:3-5. If there is no resurrection, baptism (for a man dead in sins) is not a valid picture. (WG, while I have no evidence this is Paul’s meaning here, it is my belief this is what he was meaning.)

Verse 30

1 Corinthians 15:30

Stand in jeopardy -- Persecution.

Verse 31

1 Corinthians 15:31

Verse 32

1 Corinthians 15:32

The manner of men -- figuratively speaking, cf Galatians 3:15

Fought with beasts -- Literal beasts are not mentioned in 2 Corinthians 11:23-27. A Roman citizen was exempt from this method of punishment. Paul is speaking of false accusations and false teachers he encountered.

Eat and drink -- tomorrow we die -- An Epicurean maxim.

Verse 33

1 Corinthians 15:33

Be not deceived -- by such doctrine!

Verse 34

1 Corinthians 15:34

Awake -- at once from a drunken sleep. The word only occurs here.

Sin not -- Presence tense.

Your shame -- to shame you.

Verse 35

1 Corinthians 15:35

Some man -- philosophical material view.

(Sermon idea: "Some Man Will Say")

Verse 36

1 Corinthians 15:36

Thou fool -- Not the word forbidden in Matthew 5:22 (Matthew 7:26; Matthew 23:17)

This verse is repeated from the Talmud.

Verse 37

1 Corinthians 15:37

What we get back is enough like the old that we recognize what it is, and where it came from. But it is far more than what was put into the ground. Seed from a watermelon reaps 200,000 times its own weight. It produces hundreds of seed each capable of reproducing the same.

Verse 38

1 Corinthians 15:38

It -- What we sow.

Verse 39

1 Corinthians 15:39

Verse 40

1 Corinthians 15:40

The point is the difference between the earthly and the resurrected body.

Verse 41

1 Corinthians 15:41

Verse 42

1 Corinthians 15:42

Philippians 3:21

Verse 43

1 Corinthians 15:43

"dust to dust" Psalms 104:29; Ecclesiastes 3:20; Ecclesiastes 12:7;

Verse 44

1 Corinthians 15:44

Natural body -- A body animated by the psyche - or natural life (carnal).

Spiritual body -- A body not given to disease and corporeal desires; with no desire to fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Verse 45

1 Corinthians 15:45

First Adam -- Genesis 2:17

Quickening spirit -- living, or life-giving.

Verse 46

1 Corinthians 15:46

Verse 47

1 Corinthians 15:47

earth -- earthy -- Made of dust, Genesis 2:7; we are sons of Adam, but also sons of God.

Verse 48

1 Corinthians 15:48

Men resemble their parents.

Verse 49

1 Corinthians 15:49

Men resemble their parents.

Verse 50

1 Corinthians 15:50

Now this I say -- Paul’s summary.

Flesh and blood -- Mortal and earthly.

Verse 51

1 Corinthians 15:51

Show mystery -- I make known something previously hidden (a revelation.)

Shall not all sleep -- 1 Thessalonians 4:15-16; The Lord’s time of return is unknown, 2 Corinthians 4:14; "us" to die and be raised.

RESURRECTION

John 5:28-29 resurrection of the good and bad

1 Corinthians 15:1 ff great entire chapter

1 Corinthians 15:51-53 the living will be changed

1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 18 words of comfort to righteous

Verse 52

1 Corinthians 15:52

Last trump -- 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Zechariah 9:14; and in Rabbinic writings.

The dead shall be changed by resurrection, the living by translation. (Nothing is said of the wicked or an intermediate state.)

Verse 53

1 Corinthians 15:53

Must first put on incorruption -- (see note on 1 Corinthians 15:52)

Verse 54

1 Corinthians 15:54

Put on immortality -- 2 Corinthians 5:1-4; be clothed.

Verse 55

1 Corinthians 15:55

O grave -- A triumphant exclamation - from Hosea 13:14.

Grave -- Hades (OT sheol)

Verse 56

1 Corinthians 15:56

Verse 57

1 Corinthians 15:57

Victory -- Christ was not defeated in His plans!

Verse 58

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore -- because of the confident triumph!

Steadfast. unmoveable -- firmly fixed.

Unmovable -- by others.