The Resurrections

1 Corinthians 15 is another massive chunk of heavy text about the resurrection of Christ, of the dead, and of the body. The chapter gives in an interesting insight to the past, the present and the future altogether. He begins with the resurrection of Christ.

Paul quickly goes through the gospel from verses 3-8, how Christ died, how he was raised on the third day, when he appeared to the apostles and eventually to everyone else. Paul also shares from his own personal life, how he does not feel worthy to be an apostle after what he had done, being a persecutor of the church early on in his life. But he is gracious and says that it is a gift of grace from above that has allowed him to be an apostle of Christ.

The middle portion of the chapter illustrates the direct connection between Christ's resurrection, and the resurrection of the dead. Christ died for us on the cross, and he came back on the third day. If there is no resurrection of the dead, Christ would not have risen, and ultimately we would all still be in our sin, not forgiven (v.17), destined for an eternal punishment in hell.

²² For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. - 1 Corinthians 15:22

It was interesting how Paul referred to Christ as the "firstfruits" in verse 23. To clear things up, firstfruits are the first sample of the crop while ultimately helps indicate the nature of the rest of the crops. In the same manner, the resurrection of Jesus gives us a foretaste of what those of believers will be like. When all believers have been resurrected, death will finally be destroyed (v.26).

Lastly, Paul tackles the resurrection of the body, because the church of Corinth were confused to how dead bodies could end up being eternal. Long story short, God will have our earthly bodies made eternal. Something must die before it is raised, it must be sown before it is raised. In the following verses, Paul really shows how great the outcome, this eternal life we have will be.

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. - 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 

God has made us victorious over all sin and over death. There is nothing to fear in death, because death is the gateway to eternity, to immortality, and to ultimate reunion with Christ our Lord.

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. 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. - 1 Corinthians 15:54-58

 

verse of the day: 1 Corinthians 15:1-2

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.