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1 Corinthians 15:1-34

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

1. Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2. By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5. And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6. After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet 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 which [was bestowed] upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11. Therefore whether [it were] I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed. 12. Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13. But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14. And if Christ be not risen, then [is] our preaching vain, and your faith [is] also vain. 15. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17. And if Christ be not raised, your faith [is] vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20. But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21. For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead. 22. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 24. Then [cometh] the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26. The last enemy [that] shall be destroyed [is] death. 27. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under [him, it is] manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. 29. Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? 30. And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? 31. I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32. If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. 33. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 34. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak [this] to your shame.

1 Corinthians 15:1-34 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:1

Theological / Devotional

Moreover. Gr. de, “but,” or “now,” here marking a change in the line of thought, and the introduction of a new subject, the resurrection.

This chapter contains what may be called the crowning glory of the epistle, an exposition of the truth of the resurrection. The discussion may be divided into four sections: (1) proof that there is a resurrection (vs. 1-34); (2) the nature of the bodies of those who are raised (vs. 35-50); (3) a statement concerning what will happen to those who are alive at Christ’s second advent (vs. 51-54); (4) the practical consequences of this doctrine (vs. 55-58). The testimony of the resurrection of Jesus given in vs. 3-8 refers to some incidents not recorded in the Gospels (see vs. 6, 7). The chapter declares that the death and resurrection of Christ were subjects of ancient prophecy, and were events supported by the testimony of living witnesses (vs. 5, 6). It is one of the earliest written testimonies to the resurrection, having been written within 25 years of the event (see pp. 102, 103). It shows that the evidence for the resurrection as a literal, historical fact was sufficient to convince the powerful intellect of a hostile contemporary in the person of Paul himself.

Among the errors that had crept into the church at Corinth as a result of the lowering of the moral standard by some of the believers, was the rejection of belief in the resurrection (see chs. 3:3; 5:1, 2; AA 319). Paul’s detailed discussion of this doctrine emphasizes its vital importance (cf. John 5:28, 29; 11:25; Acts 23:6; 24:14, 15; Rom. 1:3, 4; Phil. 3:10, 11; Rev. 20:6). Satan is ever ready to snatch away vital truth and replace it with specious error; therefore Christians would do well frequently to review the principal gospel truths, filling their minds with them, that there may be no place for mistaken ideas (see on 2 Tim. 2:15).

Declare. Gr. gnorizo, “to make known.” “to cause to know,” but since Paul is repeating what he has already told the Corinthians, the word may be used in the sense of “to reiterate,” “to remind.” The apostle feels it necessary to repeat the substance of his preaching, and, in so doing, places special emphasis on the doctrine of the resurrection.

Gospel. See on Mark 1:1. The contents of the gospel, or “good news,” that Paul preached to the Corinthians may be gathered from chs. 1:7—9, 17-24; 2:2; etc., from which it will be seen that the cross of Christ stands in the forefront of the message. Of necessity there is associated with this central subject the doctrine of the Saviour’s atoning death (ch. 15:3). Everything connected with the life of Christ on earth is of interest and importance to the believer, but Paul here reveals that the glorious news of salvation from sin reaches its climax in the resurrection.

Received. Paul had faithfully preached the gospel, and now reminds the church members that they had received and accepted its message.

Stand. The Greek form of the verb suggests that they had stood and were continuing to stand in the faith Paul had delivered to them. He had founded the church at Corinth (see Acts 18). It was therefore appropriate for him to remind them of the great truths upon which the church had been established, but from which their attention had been diverted by other things that had been introduced among them, such as matters of strife and contention. It is good for Christians to be reminded often of the gospel by which the Holy Spirit effected their conversion; such repetition will help to keep them humble, and save them from depending on their own philosophical achievements (cf. Col. 2:8).

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