1 Corinthians 15 and 16 — Closing with the Gospel
Introduction: Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians has a little over 9,400 words in the King James Version. Much of the content of the letter merits repeated review in order to understand and apply the overall guidance Paul gave for the assembly of saints. The church of our present time has much more access as individuals and as a congregation to Scripture; so we should praise our Lord as we prosper spiritually from applying His Word in our lives to become more like Christ.
NOTE: All scripture is from the Bible in Basic English unless otherwise indicated.
A — Victory Through Christ’s Death, Burial, and Resurrection!
1 Corinthians 15 “1 Now I am going to make clear to you, my brothers, what the good news was which I gave to you, and which you took, and on which your faith is based, 2 By which you have salvation… 3 For I gave to you first of all what was handed down to me, how Christ underwent death for our sins, as it says in the Writings; 4 And he was put in the place of the dead; and on the third day he came back from the dead, as it says in the Writings; 5 And he was seen by Cephas; then by the twelve; 6 Then by more than five hundred brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, but some are sleeping… 8 And last of all, as by one whose birth was out of the right time, he was seen by me. 9 For I am the least of the Apostles, having no right to be named an Apostle, because of my cruel attacks on the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God, I am what I am: and his grace which was given to me has not been for nothing; for I did more work than all of them; though not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”
Comments: Paul returned to writing about the gospel that Christ is the foundation for the faith possessed by the Corinthians as for all believers, which had given them salvation from sin and death. It needed to remain fixed in their minds in the form Paul presented so it would not be ineffectual in their daily living. Paul reminded them that this “good news” handed down to him was that Christ fulfilled scripture when he died for the sins of those who believe, was buried, and then arose to life on the third day. Paul then made reference to people who had seen Christ after he arose from the tomb, many of whom were still alive at the time Paul wrote this letter. Paul said he had no right to be an Apostle because he had cruelly attacked the church of God. But it was the grace of God that had made Paul what he had become, and that grace allowed him to do more work for God than the other Apostles. So, whether Paul or another Apostle preached the word, it is that word about Christ as the anchor of faith for all who believe.
B — The Gospel Is Not Good News If There Is No Resurrection
1 Corinthians 15 “12 Now if the good news says that Christ came back from the dead, how do some of you say that there is no coming back from the dead? 13 But if there is no coming back from the dead, then Christ has not come back from the dead: 14 And if Christ did not come again from the dead, then our good news and your faith in it are of no effect… 17 And if that is so, your faith is of no effect; you are still in your sins. 18 And, in addition, the dead in Christ have gone to destruction. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most unhappy. 20 But now Christ has truly come back from the dead, the first-fruits of those who are sleeping. 21 For as by man came death, so by man there is a coming back from the dead. 22 For as in Adam death comes to all, so in Christ will all come back to life… 26 The last power to come to an end is death… 28 And when all things have been put under him, then will the Son himself be under him who put all things under him, so that God may be all in all.”
Comments: Paul wrote that no one who claims faith should say there is no resurrection of the dead, if the gospel says that Christ came back from the dead. If there is no resurrection, then Christ did not arise, and faith in him is absolutely futile. Furthermore, the Apostles are liars because they preach that Jesus Christ in fact arose from the grave, which cannot be true if there is no resurrection. And again, sin has not been removed if Christ has not conquered death. Paul firmly declared that Christ has truly come back from the dead, the first-fruits of those who are “sleeping.” In Adam, the created forerunner of all mankind, death came; and through trust in Christ all will return to life — in the order set by God, with Christ as the “first-fruits” then all who belong to Christ at His coming. Then Christ will give the kingdom over to God the Father, and all other opposing rule and authority will cease to exist. The last power to come to an end will be death, and the triune God will be all in all.
C — Don’t Be Tricked by False Words
1 Corinthians 15 “29 Again, what will they do who are given baptism for the dead? if the dead do not come back at all, why are people given baptism for them? 30 And why are we in danger every hour?… 33 Do not be tricked by false words: evil company does damage to good behaviour. 34 Be awake to righteousness and keep yourselves from sin; for some have no knowledge of God: I say this to put you to shame.”
Comments: If that baptism represented an expression of hope for renewed life in Christ after death, then it follows that for Paul to be in danger during much of his ministry was part of the truth that “to live is Christ, then to die is gain.” Paul shared a secret which had been revealed to him for a future time: that not all will experience death of the body, but all believers will receive that eternal spiritual body. In the very moment when the heavenly trumpet sounds, the dead in Christ will arise, and all believers still living will be changed to be free from the power of death forever. What a joyful statement Paul made that we can offer all praise to God who gives us strength to overcome through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore Paul addressed his readers as dear brothers, encouraging them to be strong in purpose and unmoved, ever doing the work of the Lord, because they could be certain that their work would not be without effect in the Lord.
D — How Do the Dead Come Back and What Sort of Body Do They Have?
1 Corinthians 15 “35 But someone will say, How do the dead come back? and with what sort of body do they come? 36 Foolish man, it is necessary for the seed which you put into the earth to undergo death in order that it may come to life again… 42 So is it with the coming back from the dead. It is planted in death; it comes again in life: 43 It is planted in shame; it comes again in glory: feeble when it is planted, it comes again in power: 44 It is planted a natural body; it comes again as a body of the spirit… 45 The first man Adam was a living soul. The last Adam is a life-giving spirit… 50 Now I say this, my brothers, that it is not possible for flesh and blood to have a part in the kingdom of God; and death may not have a part in life.”
Comments: Paul said it was a foolish criticism to deny that the resurrection of the dead was possible, and he began by using the illustration of seeds that are planted in the ground as if they were dead in that form — then they develop into mature plants with prolific useful qualities much different from the original seeds. Not all flesh is the same: there is a flesh of mankind, of land creatures, of birds, and of fish. This parallel can also be seen in the differing features of the earth, and of the heavens all around the earth. The great contrast of resurrection is death to life, shame to glory, feebleness to power, and the natural body comes back as a body of the spirit. The first Adam was a living soul; the last Adam is a life-giving spirit. The first Adam is of the earth; but the last Adam is from heaven. Resurrection brings forth the image of the last Adam who is from heaven. Just as it is not possible for corruptible flesh and blood to have a part in the Kingdom of God, there will never be any form of death for those who have eternal life.
E — A Secret about Eternal Life Revealed
1 Corinthians 15 “51 See, I am giving you the revelation of a secret: we will not all come to the sleep of death, but we will all be changed. 52 In a second, in the shutting of an eye, at the sound of the last horn: for at that sound the dead will come again, free for ever from the power of death, and we will be changed. 53 For this body which comes to destruction will be made free from the power of death, and the man who is under the power of death will put on eternal life. 54 But when this has taken place, then that which was said in the Writings will come true, Death is overcome by life. 55 O death, where is your power? O death, where are your pains? 56 The pain of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law: 57 But praise be to God who gives us strength to overcome through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 For this cause, my dear brothers, be strong in purpose and unmoved, ever giving yourselves to the work of the Lord, because you are certain that your work is not without effect in the Lord.”
Comments: Paul was now revealing a secret about resurrection that perhaps had never been known before his writing in this letter. When the trumpet announces the instantaneous return of Christ, all believers who have died over many centuries while holding onto the promise of the resurrection, will be first to rise in their eternal spiritual body to join with Christ. Then all who belong to the LORD and are yet alive will be transformed from their body of death and decay into their new eternal spiritual body without first passing into death! Isaiah 25:7–9 prophesied: “He has put an end to death for ever; and the Lord God will take away all weeping… See, this is our God; we have been waiting for him, and he will be our saviour.” The power of sin is the law which can never be fully satisfied; and therefore sin brings forth death, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. But praise be to God, for He has given us the strength to overcome through the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ!
F — Collection of Offerings on the First Day of the Week
1 Corinthians 16 “1 Now about the giving of money for the saints, as I gave orders to the churches of Galatia, so do you. 2 On the first day of the week, let every one of you put by him in store, in measure as he has done well in business, so that it may not be necessary to get money together when I come. 3 And when I come, I will send the men of your selection with letters to take the money you have got together to Jerusalem… 5 But I will come to you after I have gone through Macedonia, for that is my purpose… 9 For a great and important door there is open to me, and there are a number of people against me. 10 Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without fear; because he is doing the Lord’s work, even as I am… 11 See then that he has the honour which is right. But send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me.”
Comments: Paul had a heartfelt concern for impoverished saints in Jerusalem. This had been first evident early in his ministry at Antioch with Barnabas, when Agabus prophesied a coming famine and the disciples made a decision to send help to brothers in Judaea (Acts 11:27–30). The collections at Corinth were to be accumulated so they could later be delivered to those in need by men chosen by the Corinthians, with letters written by Paul. Paul did not plan to come when this letter was delivered because he wanted to be able to spend a longer period with them when he came. He planned to stay at Ephesus at least until Pentecost, for he saw a great door open there even with many who were against him. Paul wanted the Corinthians to be ready to receive Timothy without any concerns, because he did the Lord’s work as Paul did and deserved rightful honor. Both Timothy and Apollos are mentioned as fellow workers for the gospel whom Paul deeply respected.
G — Be Unmoved in Faith and Do All Things in Love
1 Corinthians 16 “13 Be on the watch, unmoved in the faith, and be strong like men. 14 Let all you do be done in love. 15 Now I make my request to you, my brothers, for you have knowledge that the house of Stephanas is the first-fruits of Achaia, and that they have made themselves the servants of the saints, 16 That you put yourselves under such, and under everyone who is helping the Lord’s work… 19 The churches of Asia send their love to you. So do Aquila and Prisca, with the church which is in their house. 20 All the brothers send their love to you. Give one another a holy kiss… 22 If any man has not love for the Lord, let him be cursed. Maranatha {our Lord comes}. 23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. So be it.”
Comments: Paul began to close this letter by advising the Corinthians to be watchful so they would avoid the variety of things he had mentioned throughout the letter that are harmful to individuals and to the treatment of other believers. Being watchful is necessary to be unmoved in the faith. Paul wanted the Corinthians to accept the house of Stephanas as leaders because they were known as the first-fruits of Achaia and had made themselves servants of the saints. Paul was pleased that Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus had come to him, giving comfort to his spirit. He passed on love sent by brothers in Christ, and advised that the Corinthians greet each other with a holy kiss. Aquila and Prisca and the church in their house sent love — this couple had started a church after traveling to Ephesus with Paul. Paul used strong emphasis that the one who does not truly love the Lord remains accursed and the Lord’s return is near. The contrast to that fearful end is that Paul wanted them to be in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and Paul expressed his personal love to them in Christ Jesus. Maranatha!
Reflections in Prayer
I thank you, LORD, for allowing me to study the words the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church that the truth of the resurrection of Christ Jesus is the firm hope that I have for my own resurrection to eternal life with all those who await your appointed time. If there is no resurrection to everlasting life, then the Christ would be a liar and so would all of the apostles sent out with that message as the victory over sin and death. I thank you, LORD, that you have led me to the truth so I will not be led astray by those who deny any part of resurrection of the Christ, or of those who have received eternal life by grace through faith in the Savior of the world. Help me to be faithful in the guidance Paul set out for regular donations for the furtherance of the gospel, and to stand firm in my own genuine faith in Christ. May I do all things in love as Paul had emphasized in various ways. Maranatha, Amen!
Published 30 July 2018, revised 28 December 2021