12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.
Paul continues to explain the reality of resurrection because there were obviously some people in the Corinthian church who were saying that there was no resurrection of the dead. Since Christ died and was raised then there is hope for their own salvation so that they can live with Christ in eternity. But if there was no resurrection as they claim then there is no point to their salvation. However, as it is, Paul had preached to them that Christ was raised from the dead for that purpose, that we can live with him in his kingdom.
15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.
Paul continues to examine the alternative, that if he preached that the dead aren’t raised then Christ who also died would not have been raised either. And the conclusion to this problem is that they would all be in their sins and those who have died would now be lost. Not only this but they would only have hope in Jesus while they are alive in the world and nothing more after they die.
20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.
Paul refutes the lie that there is no resurrection by affirming Christ’s own resurrection. Christ was the first fruit of those that have died, or in other words he was the first to be resurrected from the dead so that through him all who belong to him will be made alive. In the Old Testament the Israelites used to present the first fruits of the harvest as an offering to God. In the same likeness Christ was the first fruit of the harvest of those who would be made alive through him.
John 11:25 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;”
Christ came to collect those that belonged to him (those who would believe in him). Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”
24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.
Paul starts to talk about the end times in these next few verses.
All dominion, authority, and power in this world was destroyed by the cross.
Colossians 2:15 “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
Christ reigns until all his enemies are made subject to him and “placed under his feet”.
Matthew 22:44 “The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”
26The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
Christ had to destroy death itself in order for the resurrection of the dead to be made available for those who believe in him.
2 Timothy 1:10 “but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”
And in the end times death gets thrown into the lake of fire.
Revelation 20:14 “Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.”
27 For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
God the Father had subjected everything under Christ with exception of God the Father.
Matthew 28:18 “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
Psalm 8:6 “You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet:”
This verse shows us the unity and hierarchical position within the trinity just as in a marriage the husband is head and the wife is the body yet both are one flesh.
Until all these things are accomplished v24 states that Christ will hand over his kingdom to the Father God and he will be amongst us just as Christ and the Holy Spirit are amongst us.
Revelation 21:2-3 “I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”
29 Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? 30 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31 I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”
Paul’s point here is, if there is no resurrection then why on earth are they being baptised into the name of Jesus if according to them he is dead. There would be no point to their baptism if in the end their faith is buried in the ground. Also there is no rationality if Paul and the apostles endanger their lives for the gospel if at the end they have no future to look forward to. They may as well eat and drink and be merry in this world if that was the case.
33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 34Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.
If they continue to be influenced by those who live for ungodly things then they will be corrupted in character as well. And it’s showing in the church so Paul concludes that they should stop living as though they were living for this world, to stop sinning and come back to their faith in God.
Filed under: 1 Corinthians, Apostle Paul, Bible study, Christianity, corinthians, God, Jesus, New Testament, Scripture
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