From 1 Corinthians 15-16
Some Corinthians denied people would be raised from the dead. Paul advances several arguments correcting this serious rejection. He connects Christ’s resurrection with the general resurrection and the end of all things. What do you think about resurrection? Is it something you look forward to?
This post is part of my bible in a year series.
Passage and Comments
Chapter fifteen of 1 Corinthians is well known for Paul’s statements about the gospel and resurrection. Paul uses the gospel (1 Cor 15.3-5), not to show the Corinthians how they can be saved, but rather to use it as a springboard into a discussion about resurrection. After giving a brief summary of the gospel message (the death, burial, resurrection and appearances of Christ), Paul addresses the some in the church who seem to deny their will be a resurrection from the dead.
12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead,
how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? (1 Cor 15:12)
In the gospel Christ is proclaimed as risen (2 Tim 2.8).
Paul outright assumes they heard this message when they came to faith. How strange is seems to him now some of them deny there will be a later resurrection of all people.
13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.
14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.
15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.
16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised.
17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. (1 Cor 15:13–19)
There are two significant times involving resurrection. Christ’s resurrection (past) and the general resurrection (future). The general resurrection was a common belief of most Jews including Jesus (e.g. Lk 14.14; Jn 5.29; Acts 24.15), excepting the Sadducees of course (Mt 22.23-32; Acts 23.8). Paul makes a logical connection between Christ’s resurrection and the future resurrection of all people.
Saying there will be no resurrection from the dead is a slippery slope.
- If there is no resurrection from the dead,
- then not even Christ has been raised,
- then Paul’s preaching and their faith is in vain,
- then the apostles are misrepresenting God and the Corinthians are still in their sins,
- then those who have died (‘fallen asleep’) are forever dead (‘perished’),
- then of all people they should be pitied most.
20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Cor 15:20-22)
Paul corrects this false teaching. Christ has been raised from the dead. The gospel is true. He calls Jesus Christ, the ‘firstfruits’.
The firstfruits are the beginning of the crop. The best of the crop. The first fruits offered to God.
Paul then makes similar statements to Romans 5 linking the headship of Adam and Christ over humanity. Adam disobeyed, so the many were made sinners (Rom 5.12,19). Christ obeyed (by dying on the cross), so the many were made righteous (Rom 5.19).
Paul in 1 Cor 15 uses the same line of thought with Adam and Christ as heads of humanity. Adam introduces death. In the same manner, Christ introduces resurrection and life.
But there is a sequence of events. We have to wait for things to happen.
23 But each in his own order:
Christ the firstfruits,
then at his coming those who belong to Christ.
24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. (1 Cor 15:23–24)
Paul establishes a basic order of events premillennialists love related to resurrection. The millennium receives its name from Rev 20. Where the phrase ‘a thousand years’ occurs six times.
“Amillennialists believe this period includes Christ’s present reign from heaven over the church and the world, not a future distinct from this age and the eternal kingdom.
…
Postmillennialists regard the millennium as the glorious fulfillment of OT prophecies, inaugurated through the church’s Spirit-empowered preaching of the gospel, followed by the parousia.
…
Premillennialists regard the millennium as a distinct future period (thought they differ regarding its chronological precision, as do some postmillennialists) inaugurated by the glorious coming of Christ.” (Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible, Gen. Ed. Kevin J. Vanhoozer).
Paul speaks about the two instances of resurrection and connects them to the end.
Paul refers to Christ’s first coming and resurrection. Then he jumps forward to his second coming, at which time there will be the resurrection of those who belong to him. He doesn’t refer to the resurrection of the unjust (Jn 5.29; Acts 24.15), but I suspect it happens here as well. Then comes the end. At this time Christ will deliver the kingdom to God the Father.
Paul then says Christ hands over the kingdom of God to the Father after destroying every rule, authority and power. Destroying them. His statement here suggests a fourth element in the sequence which I can now line up.
- Christ’s resurrection (‘firstfruits’),
- Christ’s coming and general resurrection,
- Christ reigns and destroys every rule, authority and power, then
- Christ hands over the kingdom of God to the Father (‘the end’).
25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all. (1 Cor 15:25–28)
A flat reading of the text suggests when Jesus returns he will reign and spend some time putting everything under subjection. Paul doesn’t seem to say it will happen all at once. But once it does happen he will hand over the conquered kingdom of God to the Father.
Paul implies a certain hierarchy between the Father, the Son and all things. The Father is above all, including the Son. But it is the Son, as the Father’s agent who reigns and conquers all. Once Christ has destroyed all rule, authority and power, putting it under subjection. He, being under the authority and rule of the Father, delivers it all over to the Father.
Then Paul says, ‘that God may be all in all’.
A curious expression which combines the authority of God over all and his indwelling presence in all things (cf. Num 14.21; Ps 57.5,11; 72.19; 108.5; Isa 6.3; Hab 2.14).
Paul has finished with this line of thought, but he is still concerned some of them deny their will be a resurrection from the dead.
29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead?
If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? (1 Cor 15:29)
The practice of some ‘being baptised on behalf of the dead’ suggests they believed a few things. First, they believed people could be baptised on behalf of others, even the dead. Second, they believed baptism confered some sort of spiritual benefit. Hence if someone was baptised on behalf of someone who was dead, it would according to Paul’s representation of their belief, put them in some sort of state or standing with God where they would be raised from the dead in the future.
Paul doesn’t say he agrees with the practice or the belief that led them to it. But he questions the whole practice if they don’t believe in resurrection in the first place.
He then points to his own practice of gospel ministry.
30 Why are we in danger every hour?
31 I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day!
32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” (1 Cor 15:30-32)
Paul is in danger because he proclaims Christ raised from the dead.
Some people are in real danger because they preach the gospel.
The rhetorical questions are meant to drive the Corinthians to belief in the resurrection. Look at us apostles he says. Why do you think we do this? If the dead are not raised then he should really give up and enjoy life while it lasts because nothing will happen after he dies. However, Paul doesn’t think like this. Resurrection is his goal and ambition (Phil 3.10-14).
33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. (1 Cor 15:33–34)
The Corinthians unbelief is linked to their sin and bad company. Paul has been addressing issues related to their sin throughout the letter. Here we see some of the results of that sin. It has led to a wavering in their doctrine of resurrection. The two are inseparable. Doctrine and behaviour. If one sags so will the other.
Paul instructs them to wake up from their drunken sleep and to stop sinning. The statement suggests Paul thinks they can stop sinning. The belief is typical of many in the first century, including Jesus (Jn 5.14; 8.11).
Words for Believers
Resurrection is at the heart of Christian belief. Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day. His resurrection points forward to the future resurrection of all people.
Do you look forward to your own resurrection from the dead? Is this something you think about often?
When Jesus returns he will go about setting things right. We don’t know when or how this will happen. But for those who belong to him. It is something to look forward to and hope for.
Paul’s teaching and warnings to the Corinthians should make us wary about our own doctrine and behaviour. Resurrection is a core aspect of the gospel. What about the others? Christ’s death for our sins? His burial and appearances? Does our lifestyle reflect our gospel. Are we living worthy of it?
Copyright © Joshua Washington and thescripturesays, 2015. All Rights Reserved.
