December 3: 1 Corinthians 15-16

December 3, 1 Corinthians 15-16

1 Corinthians continued… for the intro on Corinthians, click here… Remember, Paul is writing to the Corinthian church about a bunch of things that he has heard about them, from the report from Chloe’s house… and is setting them straight. 

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love…

1 Corinthians 15 The Resurrection of Christ. Paul was addressing an issue that was causing some confusion to the church, the resurrection. Paul does a quick recap of events: “that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” Jesus was born a virgin, He lived a sinless life, He died, He rose again, and many people saw Him and are eye witnesses that He was alive again. Paul sets the stage with the truthful facts that have occurred. He goes on to explain that he was the least of the disciples because he was so against Jesus until he met Jesus. He lived in God’s amazing Grace.

The Resurrection of the Dead. There was obviously at least some Corinthians that questioned the doctrine of the resurrection and Paul needed to address it. Basically, Paul says that “…if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” The resurrection is paramount to our faith. God accepted the sacrifice and raised Christ from the dead, giving us the promise and the hope of raising one day to be with Him. Paul says with absolute certainty, “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.” Jesus did raise from the dead and we will as well. We will not necessarily raise from the dead and walk around with our friends for 40 days like Jesus did, we will raise and be with Him forever. A day will come when all of our earthly pain and trials are over and death, the last enemy, will also be destroyed. Everything is under God’s subjection and will be finalized. “If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” We have hope because of the resurrection. We are not to live our lives with no hope and in futility, but rather with the hope of someday being with and living with Jesus Christ & God the Father. Paul also says, “Bad company ruins good morals.” 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.” Be careful who you hang out with, because some have no hope and they live that way. Paul is referring to those that do not know God, nor live for Him. 

The Resurrection Body. Some are asking, as they do today, what will the bodies look like in heaven? Paul assures them that in order for something to be reborn, it must die first - like a seed. There are many earthly examples that Paul gives of this. What our bodies look like now, will not really be the same in heaven. Our bodies will be imperishable and immortal. Sounds crazy, I know. But it is truth. Then Paul continues in regards to Adam. Bakers Commentary eloquently puts it this way, “Paul reveals that as Adam passed on his earthly body to his descendants, so Christ is passing on his heavenly body to believers.” 

Mystery and Victory. Paul goes on to explain that in our flesh we cannot inherit Eternity with God and things will change in an instant… “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.” Just like that! The dead will come back to life and those who are in Christ will forever be changed. Someday death will be done and Paul charges us in the power of Jesus to a couple more things. “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” Keep the fight up and be solid, knowing that the work we do for God is not in vain!

1 Corinthians 16 The Collection for the Saints. Again, Paul is telling them to get some money together each Sunday when they gather so that the Saints can be taken care of. Do it weekly and it wont be such a big deal…

Plans for Travel. Paul lets them know that he wants to come and see them again, if the Lord permits it. However, he is for sure going to stay in Ephesus for a while (where he was writing this letter) because “a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” He reminds them that Timothy will be coming to them and he is working hard for the Gospel message and they are to help him in any way so that he can get back to Paul.

Final Instructions. Another life verse of mine: “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” We know what we are to do, now we are to go do it. Paul also tells them to help each other out, especially those that are working for God.

Greetings. The letter ends with greetings from the churches in Asia saying hi and some of the other saints (Aquila & Priscilla and the brothers). Paul lets them know that he was the one who wrote the letter and urges them to love the Lord. Those that don't love Jesus are cursed and Jesus is with His people and gives them grace…

To sum it all up: 

• The resurrection. “..if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain…” It really happened and we can really have hope in these future events.
• Do you know God? Do you really know Him?  
• “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”
• Paul is very intentional and calculated in his writings. We claim Christ, we live Christ. If our lives don't reflect that, then neither does our hearts…