David W. Jones

The Resurrection – 1 Corinthians 15

Read the Passage: 1 Corinthians 15

Listen to the Redeemed Mind Podcast: 1 Corinthians 15

Evidence (15:1–11)

Paul begins his comments on the resurrection by reminding his readers that he had preached the gospel (lit. “good news”) to them, which resulted in their salvation. In one of the clearest definitions of the gospel in Scripture Paul writes, “I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3–4). Note the repetition of the phase “according to the Scriptures,” as here Paul is arguing that Jesus’ resurrection is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. That Christ’s resurrection was prophesied in the Old Testament is mentioned many time in the New Testament (cf. Luke 24:25–27, 44–48; Acts 2:25–31; 26:22–23). Major Old Testament prophecies about the resurrection include: Ps. 16:8–11; 22:1, 7–8, 14–18; Isa. 53:1–12.

As further evidence for the resurrection, in 1 Cor. 15:5–8, Paul lists several eyewitnesses, or groups of eyewitnesses, of the resurrected Christ, which include: (1) Peter—cf. Luke 24:34; John 20:19–20, (2) the gathered apostles—cf. Luke 24:36–51; John 20:19–29; Acts 1:4–12, (3) over five hundred brethren, (4) James and other early believers, and (5) Paul himself—cf. Acts 9:1–6; 18:9–10; 22:1–8; 23:11; 26:12–18. To the above we could add Mary Magdalene (cf. John 20:11–18), other unnamed women (cf. Matt. 28:8–10), as well as the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (cf. Luke 24:13–25). Note that of all the eyewitnesses of the resurrection, Paul himself may be the most unexpected, for as he notes, “I persecuted the church of God” (1 Cor. 15:9). Finally, in 1 Cor. 15:9–11 Paul mentions one of the greatest proofs of the resurrection—that is, the very existence of the church.

Importance (15:12–34)

In 1 Cor. 15:12–34 Paul details three reasons why the resurrection of Christ is important, the first of which is that it gives the church an example. Apparently, there where some in Corinth who were denying the resurrection of believers (cf. 1 Cor. 15:12). This was likely on account of a dualistic, Gnostic philosophy that taught that material things are inherently evil. Yet, here in 1 Cor. 15:12–20 Paul shows that the resurrection of Jesus and of believers stands or falls together. Indeed, Christ is “the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor. 15:20). In 1 Cor. 15:21–28 Paul gives a second reason why the resurrection of Christ is important—that is, it signifies the restoration of all things. On account of sin, mankind has fallen, and creation is cursed. Yet, by the death and resurrection of Jesus, all things are being renewed, and the “times of the restoration of all things” is at hand (Acts 3:21).

In 1 Cor. 15:29–34 Paul states a final reason why the resurrection is important—that is, it gives believers hope. In these verses Paul mentions the various types of suffering that Christians experience, including death (cf. 1 Cor. 15:29), persecution (cf. 1 Cor. 15:30), spiritual struggles (cf. 1 Cor. 15:31), and physical struggles (cf. 1 Cor. 15:32). If there is no resurrection, writes Paul, then all human suffering is in vain, and mankind should “eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (1 Cor. 15:32). Of course, the implication here is that the resurrection proves that suffering is not in vain, for the resurrection gives us hope of future life and flourishing. Note that Paul’s reference to those “who are baptized for the dead” (1 Cor. 15:29) has challenged many Bible interpreters. However, it is clear that Paul is not teaching post-mortem baptism here, as this idea is taught nowhere else in Scripture. Rather, Paul is likely referring those who have been baptized on account of the teaching and example of others who have since died for their faith.

Details (15:35–58)

In 1 Cor. 15:35 Paul poses two logical questions that flow from his previous teaching on the resurrection, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?” In 1 Cor. 15:36–49 the apostle proceeds to answer these inquiries. Paul answers the first question by noting that the resurrected body is akin to what comes from a planted seed—that is, a plant that is fundamentally the same in substance as the seed, but different in appearance (cf. 1 Cor. 15:36–38). In answering the second question Paul notes that there are different kinds of bodies, some more glorious than others. So, man’s resurrection body will be different than his earthy body in that while it still will be a material body, it will be more glorious (cf. 1 Cor. 15:39–44). In illustrating this principle, Paul turns to the example of Adam and Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 15:45–58). Here Paul notes that just as Adam’s body is the prototype of the natural body, so is Jesus’ resurrected body the prototype of the future glorious body.

Application Questions:

  1. Given that Christ’s death on the cross secured salvation for His followers, what is the purpose of Jesus’ resurrection?
  2. How important is the doctrine of the resurrection for Christianity? Can someone be a Christian and deny the resurrection of Christ (cf. John 11:25)
  3. Why did Jesus only appear to believers after His resurrection? Would appearances to the lost have resulted in their salvation (cf. Luke 16:31)?
  4. Have you ever heard someone try and explain away the resurrection (cf. Matt. 28:11–15)? How should believers respond to false resurrection theories?
  5. What is it about the resurrection that gives believers hope, so that we do not conclude, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (1 Cor. 15:32)?