1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
6 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.
7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet 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 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.
11 Therefore whether [it were] I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
14 And if Christ be not risen, then [is] our preaching vain, and your faith [is] also vain.
15 Yea, 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.
16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith [is] vain; ye are yet in your sins.
18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
24 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.
25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy [that] shall be destroyed [is] death.
27 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.
28 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.
29 Else 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?
30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?
31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
32 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.
33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak [this] to your shame.
35 But some [man] will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
36 [Thou] fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
37 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]:
38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.
39 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.
40 [There are] also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial [is] one, and the [glory] of the terrestrial [is] another.
41 [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.
42 So also [is] the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
43 It is sown in dishonour; 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 a spiritual body.
45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] a quickening spirit.
46 Howbeit that [was] not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
47 The first man [is] of the earth, earthy: the second man [is] the Lord from heaven.
48 As [is] the earthy, such [are] they also that are earthy: and as [is] the heavenly, such [are] they also that are heavenly.
49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 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, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality.
54 So 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.
55 O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory?
56 The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law.
57 But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, 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.
Overview of 1 Corinthians 15
1 Corinthians 15 is a pivotal chapter in the New Testament, primarily addressing the resurrection of Jesus Christ and its implications for believers. The Apostle Paul writes to the church in Corinth to clarify misunderstandings about the resurrection and to affirm its centrality to Christian faith.
Key Themes
- The Resurrection of Christ: Paul emphasizes the historical reality of Jesus’ resurrection as a foundational truth of the Christian faith.
- The Importance of the Resurrection: The chapter argues that without the resurrection, Christian preaching and faith are in vain.
- The Nature of Resurrection: Paul explains the transformation that occurs in the resurrection, contrasting earthly bodies with resurrected bodies.
- The Victory Over Death: The chapter concludes with a triumphant declaration of victory over death through Christ.
Structure of the Chapter
- Introduction to the Resurrection (Verses 1-11):
Paul begins by reminding the Corinthians of the gospel he preached, which includes the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. He lists witnesses to the resurrection, establishing its credibility.
- Theological Implications (Verses 12-19):
Paul argues that if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. He stresses that the resurrection is essential for the validity of Christian faith.
- The Order of Resurrection (Verses 20-28):
Paul presents Christ as the “firstfruits” of those who have died, indicating that His resurrection guarantees the future resurrection of believers. He discusses the ultimate victory over death and the final subjugation of all things under Christ.
- The Nature of Resurrected Bodies (Verses 35-49):
In response to questions about the nature of the resurrected body, Paul explains the difference between perishable and imperishable bodies, emphasizing transformation and glory in the resurrection.
- The Victory Over Death (Verses 50-58):
Paul concludes with a powerful affirmation of victory over death through the resurrection. He encourages believers to remain steadfast and diligent in their faith.
Historical Context
The Corinthian church was facing various challenges, including divisions, moral issues, and confusion about key doctrines. The belief in resurrection was contested, and some members doubted its occurrence. Paul addresses these concerns directly, providing theological clarity and encouragement.
Theological Significance
- Foundation of Faith: The resurrection is central to Christian doctrine, affirming Jesus as the Messiah and the hope of eternal life for believers.
- Hope and Assurance: The promise of resurrection offers hope amidst suffering and death, assuring believers of their future with Christ.
- Call to Action: Paul’s exhortation to be steadfast and immovable serves as a reminder of the active role believers play in the kingdom of God.
Conclusion
1 Corinthians 15 serves as a vital theological treatise on the resurrection, reinforcing its significance in Christian belief. Paul’s arguments not only address the concerns of the Corinthian church but also provide enduring truths that resonate with believers today, emphasizing the transformative power of the resurrection and the hope it brings for eternal life.
