Chapter 15
Regarding Essential Doctrine - The Basic Gospel Message
15:1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
After addressing the church’s issues, Paul next wants to make sure they truly understand the essential doctrine of the Christian faith. He begins by saying he will now remind them what they were taught (like Peter did in his epistles, see 2 Peter 1:13; 3:1) and further notes that they accepted the message and are subsequently being saved unless they believed in vain (Greek ‘eikē’, to no avail, did not accomplish, in context did not believe).
15:3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
In these two verses Paul states a summary of the gospel message. That Jesus died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, was buried, and was raised on the third day also according to the Scriptures. The only element missing is the fact that Jesus lived a sinless life so that His sacrifice would be accepted for our exchange (see Hebrews 2:17; 4:15; 7:27; 9:22, 28; 10:10-14; 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 3:18). Paul uses the Greek word ‘graphē’ fourteen times in his epistles (seven times in Romans alone) to refer to Scripture, which at this time was only the Old Testament. The Old Testament contains several hundred prophecies regarding the coming Messiah, several speak directly about Him dying for the sins of others including: “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5, ESV, see also Isaiah 52:13-53:12). The reference to the resurrection on the third day is a little more complicated as there are several three-day periods in the Old Testament (Click here to read about the "Three Days and Three Nights" in the gospels).
15:5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
Paul tells us that after His resurrection, Jesus appeared to Cephas (see Luke 24:34) and then to other disciples. Paul calls them “the twelve” to identify them as Jesus’ inner circle, even though they were less than twelve at that time. Afterwards, Jesus was seen by more than five hundred at one time (this incident is not recorded in Scripture) and then appeared to James, likely His half-brother as the other two known as James would have been included in the twelve. And finally, to all of the other apostles (remember He had previously over seventy other apostles, see Luke 10:1).
15:8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy 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 toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
After Jesus had ascended into heaven Paul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus (see Acts 9:1-19). Paul refers to himself as one “untimely born,” the Greek ‘ektrōmati’ points to a miscarriage or something occurred during birth that required an abortion. It is likely a reference to his spiritual birth not his physical birth, as he was ‘reborn’ after he began to hunt down believers. Even though he encountered Jesus and was “sent out” by Him, Paul never considered himself a worthy apostle because of his past persecution of believers (see Acts 7:54-8:3; 9:1-2). But now due to God’s grace (unmerited favor) he not only became a believer in Jesus, he boldly preached the gospel message. He notes that God’s grace was not wasted as he has worked harder than any other apostle, but then quickly adds that this is not a boast but an acknowledgment that the credit belongs to God who is with him. He further notes that regardless of who preached the gospel, they accepted it and believed.
Regarding Essential Doctrine - The Resurrection of the Dead
15:12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
During the first century A.D. there were many that rejected the concept of an afterlife and any form of a resurrection. A politically powerful and affluent sect of Judaism known as the Sadducees also embraced a theology void of any afterlife and did not believe in the possibility of a resurrection. Undoubtedly some involved in the church held similar beliefs, but it would be difficult to separate the idea of a resurrection from the gospel message, without it, nothing is left, which is exactly what Paul addresses in the following thirty-eight verses. It truly is a major component of essential Christian doctrine.
It is important to note that the resurrection that Paul is referencing in this chapter is not a resuscitation, nor a temporary resurrection where the person dies again, this is a permanent come back to life and live forever resurrection.
15:13 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.
Paul begins to refute those that believe there is no resurrection by first identifying the key element of a Christian’s faith, the resurrection of Jesus. If it is impossible for the dead to rise, then Jesus didn’t rise. If Jesus didn’t come back to life then what are we preaching about? Both our preaching and our faith in Jesus is in vain, a waste of time. If no resurrection then we are misrepresenting God, outright lying to others, and we are still guilty of sin. Which means we and every other believer will remain condemned for all of eternity (see John 3:18). Being in Christ then means we only have hope in this life making our hope for a future life in heaven nothing more than a fantasy and as a people group we deserve to be pitied.
15:20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Paul firmly states, “But in fact!” Jesus did rise from the dead. He is the firstffruits of those that have died believing in Him. The term “firstfruits” refers to the first and best quality of ‘fruit’ produced from any harvest. The giving of the harvest’s firstfruits was an integral part of the celebration of the Feast of Firstfruits in the Spring (typically barley, see Exodus 34:26; Leviticus 23:9-14; Numbers 15:18-21; Deuteronomy 18:4; 26:1-10), the Feast of Weeks in either late Spring or early Summer (wheat harvest, see Exodus 23:14, 16-17; 34:22; Leviticus 23:15-22; Numbers 28:26-31; Deuteronomy 16:9-12, 16), and the Feast of Booths in the Fall (fruit from vine and tree harvests, see Exodus 23:14, 16-17; 34:22; Leviticus 23:33-43; Numbers 29:12-39; Deuteronomy 16:13-17; 31:10-13). Paul also ties in the theme of the first and best of the harvest to the resurrection of Jesus.
15:21 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.
Paul explains that through man’s disobedience came death (see Genesis 3:1-24; Romans 6:23), and now through another man’s death and resurrection (Jesus) comes also the resurrection that is available to others. God’s law required a human being to live a sinless life in order to comply, all it would take is one sin and God would classify that person a sinner (just like we call a person who commits a crime is a criminal). That person’s death and resurrection could serve as a substitutional death for others, which is exactly what Jesus did for those who have faith in Him. And since He will never die again, that covering of our sin is eternal (Click here to read "The Messiah Had to be a Man.").
15:23 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.
We are next told that there is an order to when and for who the resurrections are to take place. Jesus being the firstfruits was the first, He is followed by those who belong to Him when He returns (see verse 52 below; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, see also Acts 20:28; Romans 1:6; 1 Peter 1:18-19). Then when we get to the end of this age (see Matthew 13:39, 49; 24:3; 28:20; Hebrews 9:26) after Jesus destroys every evil authority and power (see Revelation 20:7-10), He then proceeds to deliver the kingdom to His Father (see Daniel 7:27).
Jesus will restore the world to its original design and creation. Sin will be eliminated, and God will reign without opposition. Jesus hands over the restored world to His Father, who sent Him to reclaim it. Every contending rule, authority, and power will have been abolished, never again will there be any opposition of God, nor will there be any further deception, misleading, threatening, or corrupting of His people or His creation.
15:25 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.
Paul explains that when Jesus returns He must reign so that all of His (and ours) enemies will be defeated. The phrase regarding putting His enemies under His feet has both Biblical applications (see Joshua 10:24; Psalm 8:6; 18:38; 110:1; Ephesians 1:22; Hebrews 2:8; 10:13) as well as in secular history, it refers to placing others in a position of total submission. Paul then quotes Psalm 8:6 to clarify that when the text reads “all thing in subjection under His feet,” that does not include God the Father as the Son Himself remains subject to Him who is supreme over everything everywhere.
The last enemy is identified by Paul as being death. The author of the book of Hebrews offers some insight, “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery“ (Hebrews 2:14-15) Speaking about Jesus, the author notes that the devil has the power of death. Jesus already conquered death (see 2 Timothy 1:10) and at the end Satan and all other enemies of God will be destroyed as well.
15:29 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?
This next section begins with the word ‘otherwise’ (Greek ‘epei’, since, because, give reason) and Paul proposes two scenarios that beg the question, “if there was no resurrection of the dead would believers do this…?” The first can be found in this often-confusing verse, Paul is asking why get baptized if there is no resurrection. The New Living Translation offers this rendition, “If the dead will not be raised, what point is there in people being baptized for those who are dead? Why do it unless the dead will someday rise again?” (NLT) Paul’s statement “baptized for the dead” (KJV, NKJV, and similar NASB, NET, etc.) has been the source of several unusual speculations none of which can be supported in the text or historically validated, however, based on the basic theme of this epistle, baptizing on behalf of the dead could have been a reference to a non-Biblical deviant protocol these people believed in.
15:30 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.” 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.
Paul continues with the second scenario which points to Christian persecution. He is essentially saying that suffering doesn’t make sense unless there is a resurrection to look forward to. He notes that believers are always in danger and that in fact he faces death everyday, just as certain as his pride he has for leading them to Jesus. He asks why would he fight beasts at Ephesus if the dead are not raised from the dead. While considered a rhetorical question many theologians and scholars have wondered what Paul meant by “I fought with beasts at Ephesus.” Raising questions as to if he faced some form of wild animal (like a lion in a lion’s den, akin to Daniel) or was he referring to an allegorical beast (as his listing of personal encounters found in 2 Corinthians 11:22-33 does not mention any wild beasts). While in Ephesus he was instrumental in causing a city-wide riot (see Acts 19:21-41), perhaps that is what he is referring to, but we do not know for certain.
Paul then sarcastically asks, “If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” He is saying that if what we all have been promised is not true, then there is no reason to live a productive life, let alone one of obedience to God. Paul warns us to not listen to people who say things like that, he further adds that when you hang around the wrong people their bad habits can become your bad habits. He calls for his readers to “wake up” from their drunkenness and stop sinning. He then states there are some (believed to be a reference to those they have chosen to affiliate with) that do not know about God. Paul is chastising them for not presenting the gospel to them. Some believe Paul is referring to some people at the church that do not know God, both scenarios are equally shameful.
15:35 But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?” 36 You foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37 And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. 38 But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body.
Paul knows human nature all too well, there seems to always be at least one obstinate person who is never satisfied with a straightforward answer. He notes that someone will undoubtedly ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?” He calls them foolish for asking such a foolish question, he then asks, “Don’t they realize that when you plant a seed that it has to die first before it grows into a plant?” Jesus used a similar illustration, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:24, ESV) Both Jesus’ and Paul’s messages point to a transition, not a resurrection that brings one back to being the same before death, but to something much better. While still being the same person (memories, personality, etc.) God gives us a new body that He has chosen, to use a modern-day colloquialism, God is giving us a significant “hardware and software upgrade,” but yet we will still be us and likely will still be recognizable just as Jesus was recognized after His resurrection (see John 20:19-20).
15:39 For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. 40 There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.
Paul points out that God still loves diversity, he first notes that not all flesh is alike (Greek ‘sarx’, the physical part of a body) and that there is one kind of flesh for humans, one kind for animals, one kind for birds, and one kind for fish. This insight of Paul’s in the middle of his discourse on resurrection seems to be implying that we will encounter the diversity of wildlife in heaven as well. It also reassures us that there will not be any “cross-transformations” going into heaven, regardless of what non-believers might think about reincarnation. The diversity doesn’t stop there, even God’s glory can be seen differently from heaven and earth. Paul says that the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, the glory of the earthly is another, there is one kind of glory for the sun, one kind of glory for the moon, one kind of glory for the stars, and even the glory of the stars vary between each other. In other words that when we die the glory of God will be uniquely seen in our resurrection!
15:42 So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor; 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. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.
Just as a seed dies and when planted becomes something greater, the resurrection of the perishable (Greek ‘phthora’, to corrupt, spoil, decay), now dead, when raised not only become live again, we also become imperishable (not able to deteriorate, be corrupted, or die again). Those that die before the rapture will die in dishonor (we are forgiven but we remain sinners) but will be raised in His glory. In comparison to God we are physically, emotionally, and spiritually weak, but we will be raised in His power. We all possess a “natural body,” a normal physical body, but when we die we will be raised with a “spiritual body.” That doesn’t mean everyone will be invisible and float around with no body, Paul is referring to that “upgrade” we discussed earlier as he then points out that if there is such a thing as a “natural body,” then there must be a “spiritual body.” We know we will stand in heaven with a visible body, we need to remember some of the earliest words written and recorded in the Bible, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God.” (Job 19:25-26) Spiritual bodies will have at least the ability to have some sort of flesh.
15:45 Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. 47 The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.
Paul quotes Genesis 2:7 which records God breathing into Adam’s nostrils to give him life and then notes that the last Adam is a reference to Jesus being a life-giving Spirit. He further notes that the natural body came first, as God created Adam from the dust of the earth (same passage, see Genesis 2:7), and the second Adam, Jesus, came from heaven. Paul explains that just as we bear the image of the man of dust, Adam, we shall also bear the image of Jesus (see Romans 8:29).
Considerations
Last Adam
This is the only place in the New Testament that refers to Jesus as the “last Adam.” The term primarily pertains to the meaning of the name, the name Adam means man. Therefore the statement essentially says one man brought sin and death into the world, while Jesus brought forgiveness, redemption, and eternal life.
Regarding Essential Doctrine - The Body Must Change
15:50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
Paul begins to summarize this section regarding essential doctrine and the resurrection by stating the fact that without Jesus there is no way that humanity can ever inherit the kingdom of God, nor can what is perishable become imperishable.
15:51 Behold! I tell 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 trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.
Paul calls their attention to a mystery, something that hasn’t been revealed yet. He tells them that not all will die, but in an instant they will be changed at the last trumpet. Also the dead will be raised in their new upgraded imperishable bodies. He is describing a point in time when believers will be immediately changed (Greek ‘allagēsometha’, to transform) and be in the presence of God, an event that aligns with the description of the rapture. (Click here for more information)
15:53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
He clarifies what changed, for believers the perishable body must become imperishable. Paul then further clarifies that the mortal body must become immortal making true the prophecies of Isaiah 25:8 and Hosea 13:14 which he paraphrases here: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” and “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” He identifies the sting of death as being sin, and the power of sin is the law of God which condemns those that sin. Paul concludes by saying, “But thanks be to God!” He has given us victory through our Lord Jesus the Messiah, free without having to do anything except accept the gift.
15:58 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.
In response to receiving the gift of salvation we are to be steadfast (firmly established), immovable (unshaken, steady), and always abounding (continually producing) in God’s work. With the understanding that any labor for God is not a waste of time or resources.
Considerations
Last Trumpet
The identification of the trumpet blast in verse 52 as being the 'last' trumpet has been the source of a variety of speculations regarding eschatological timing. Scripture describes several types of trumpets (from a horn of an animal to finely crafted metal horns) as well as a number of methods of blowing (typically a combination of short and long blasts). The trumpets were sounded (or were to be sounded) on many occasions including the gathering at Mount Sinai (see Exodus 19:13), to praise God (see Psalm 98:6; 150:3), when the Israelite camp was to move (see Numbers 10:2), the beginning of God's appointed times/festivals (see Leviticus 23:24; 25:9-10; Numbers 29:1-6; Psalm 81:3), calling an assembly (see Joel 2:15), to signal soldiers to retreat (see 2 Samuel 2:28; 18:16; 20:22), a call to battle (see Ezekiel 7:14), Gideon surprising the Midiantes (see Judges 7:2, 16), in battle (see Judges 3:27; Jeremiah 4:5; 6:1), at the dedication of the Temple (see 2 Chronicles 5:12), the conquering of Jericho (see Joshua 6:4), a watchman's warning (see Ezekiel 33:6), prophetic warnings of impending judgment (see Isaiah 58:1; Jeremiah 4:5; 6:1; Hosea 5:8), and the list goes on, needless to say trumpets were extensively used in the Old Testament. Much of the same applications are carried over into the New Testament, but mostly implemented prophetically.
We read in Revelation that there are seven angels that will blow seven trumpets each releasing another judgment (see Revelation 8:6-11:15). This series of judgments take place near the end of the Tribulation period. Some believe that the seventh trumpet blast is the "Last Trumpet" Paul is referring to, which in their minds places the rapture towards the end (or at the end) of the Tribulation. This is only speculation as there are several references to trumpets and trumpet blasts in Biblical prophecy (see Hosea 5:8; Joel 2:1, 15; Amos 3:6; Zephaniah 1:16; Zechariah 9:14). This trumpet is heard on earth while the seven trumpets are in heaven and since this chapter is the only reference to a "Last Trumpet," perhaps this refers to being the last trumpet heard on earth announcing the pending time of the coming tribulation (for example see Isaiah 27:13; Jeremiah 4:19; 6:1; 51:27; Ezekiel 33:3-6; Zephaniah 1:16).
The Law of God
Paul notes that the "power of sin is the law" (see verse 56) this is a reference to the law given to Moses on Mount Sinai which is presented in the first five books of the Bible. Sin and the law are interrelated as any disobedience to the law is considered a violation against God also known as a sin. But death became a reality long before the law was given to Moses due to Adam and Eve disobeying God. As a result of that sin all of humanity and creation was cursed and death was introduced. Even though the original sin occurred several years before the law was given, the law still clearly states what constitutes as a sin against God (although there is significant evidence that the law was known as early as in the days of Adam and Eve, commonly referred to as the "oral law").
The Sting of Death
Jesus bore the sting of death for us on the cross. As sin leads to death, and death stings because of sin, for sin must judged. But we read that Jesus bore the judgment for sin in His own body on the cross, so that all who trust in Him will never face judgment (see Galatians 3:13). We may still, "walk through the valley of the shadow of death” (see Psalm 23:4), but because of what Jesus did for us, all death is a shadow without any substance.
To illustrate Paul’s point, imagine this scene: A young girl is gleefully playing with her father in the backyard. A bee starts buzzing around. When it flies into view of the little girl, she shouts, “Oh, keep that bee away from me! I don’t want to get stung! Daddy, please do something!” As the bee draws closer, the father begins to swat at it—and as he reaches out, the bee fastens on him and drops its stinger right into the father’s arm. The father takes the sting and experiences the pain. The bee’s sting is drawn, and the little girl is safe.[1]
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[1] Begg, A. (2021) Truth For Life: 365 Daily Devotions by Alistair Begg. The Good Book Company.