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“The Resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15”
Christ’s resurrection is central to the gospel. In 1 Corinthians 15 the Apostle Paul discusses resurrection in detail. In verses 1-4 Paul gives the essence of the gospel: Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day. In verses 5-11 Paul lists all those who saw the risen Christ. It’s an impressive and long list. In verses 12-19 Paul explores how lost Christians would be without resurrection. We would be completely lost without it.
In verses 20-28 Paul affirms that Jesus is, in fact, risen from the dead as the firstfruits of the dead. “Firstfruit” is an idea straight from the Mosaic Law’s sacrificial system. The first grain harvested was passed before the Lord by the priest. By dedicating the first fruit the rest of the harvest is dedicated to the Lord, also. So Christ’s resurrection implies more resurrections will follow. He is first. We are next.
In verses 29-34 Paul explains how the resurrection explains much of a Christian’s actions. Why are we baptized? Because of the resurrection. Why stand in jeopardy? Why fight? The resurrection. In verses 35-41 Paul explains how the resurrection will happen. He uses the figure of sowing and reaping to explain how we will morph into a new body.
In verses 42-49 Paul continues that analogy and explains the new body is incorruptible. In verses 50-54 Paul explains how we will all be changed from mortal to immortal in the resurrection. And, finally, in verses 55-58 Paul extolls the victory we have in Jesus and urges all Christians to be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord.
Marvelous consequences of the resurrection.
