While the four Gospels focus on what the Resurrection means for Jesus, Paul generally writes about what the Resurrection means for us -- the followers of Christ.

Father Matera hosts this presentation on the 15th chapter of Paul's first letter to those in Corinth.





The gospel Paul preaches and the resurrection of the dead (15:1-11)
The gospel Paul preaches (15:1-2)
v. 1 The gospel Paul preached and which the Corinthians received
v. 2 The Corinthians are being saved through it

What Paul handed on to the Corinthians (15:3-5)
v. 3 that Christ died for sins according to the scriptures
v. 4 that Christ was buried and raised in accordance with the scriptures
v. 5 that Christ appeared to Cephas and the Twelve

What occurred after the appearance to Cephas and the Twelve (16:6-10)
v. 6 Christ appeared to 500
v. 7 Christ appeared to James and all the apostles
vv. 8-10 Christ appeared to Paul
v. 8 Last of all
v. 9 Least of the apostles because he persecuted the church
v. 10 But he has worked harder than all
Therefore, all preach the same gospel: Christ raised from the dead (15:11)

The question of the resurrection of the dead (15:12-34)

Statement of the Corinthian premise and its consequences (15:12-19)
v. 12 The premise: Some are saying there is no resurrection of the dead
v. 13 Then Christ has not been raised
v. 14 Then the apostolic preaching is in vain
v. 15 Then the apostolic witness is false
v. 16 For Christ has not been raised because the dead are not raised
v. 17 Therefore their faith is in vain, and sins remain
v. 18 The dead have perished
v. 19 Believers are the most pitiable of people

Statement of Paul’s premise and its consequences (15:20-28)
v. 20 Paul’s Premise: Christ the first fruits of the dead has been raised
vv. 21-22 Christ and Adam
v. 21 death through Adam, resurrection through Christ
v. 22 all died in Adam, all made alive in Christ
vv. 23-28 Christ’s parousia and the resurrection of the dead
v. 23 first Christ, then those who belong to Christ
v. 24 then Christ hands the kingdom over to his Father
v. 25 Christ presently reigning, his enemies being destroyed (Psalm 110:1)
v. 26 Death will be the last enemy to be destroyed
v. 27 Scriptural verification (Psalm 8:7)
v. 28 Then Christ will be subjected to God, God will be all in all

Practical Arguments on behalf of the Resurrection of the Dead (15:29-34)
v. 29 Why are people being baptized on behalf of the dead?
vv. 30-32 Why does Paul risk his life for the gospel?
vv. 33-34 Do not be deceived.

The Nature of the Resurrection Body (15:35-57)

Resurrection as transformation (15:34-49)
Some initial distinctions (16:35-41)
v. 35 A further objection: how are the dead raised?
vv. 36-38 An analogy between a seed and the body
v. 39 Not all flesh is alike
v. 40-41 Each body has its particular glory
Application to the resurrected body (15:42-44)
v. 42a introductory statement
v. 42b corruptible … incorruptible
v. 43 sown in dishonor, raised in glory Adam Christ comparison (15:45-49)
v. 45 Contrast between first Adam and last Adam (Genesis 2:7)
“a living being” v. 46 but the physical (Adam) preceded the spiritual (Christ)
v. 47 the first man, Adam, from the earth
the second man, Christ, from heaven
v. 48 human beings are either like Adam or Christ
v. 49 having borne the image of Adam, Revelation of the Mystery (15:50-57)
v. 50 Premise: flesh and blood cannot enter the kingdom of God (Gal 5:21)
v. 51 Revelation of the mystery, all will be changed/transformed,
even if they do not die
v. 52 Instantaneous transformation at the general resurrection of
the dead
v. 53 Perishable must put on the imperishable
mortal must put on immortality
v. 54-55 Transformation/Resurrection will be God’s final
victory (see Isaiah 25:8; Hosea 13:14)
v. 56 Death, Sin, and the Law
v. 57 God’s victory through Jesus Christ

Final exhortation (15:58)

Conclusions

• The occasion for Paul’s discussion is the denial of the bodily resurrection of the dead
• Paul reminds the Corinthians that belief in the resurrection of the dead is inseparable from belief in Christ’s resurrection, which is the foundation of the gospel he preaches
• Resurrection is transformation, not resuscitation
• The resurrection of the dead will occur at the second coming of Christ; the living as well as the dead will be transformed
• As the New Adam, Christ inaugurates a new history whereby believers can be raised from the dead
• Presently Christ is reigning in heaven, and God is subduing Christ’s enemies
• Death will be the last enemy to be subdued; this will occur at Christ’s return, at the general resurrection of the dead.
• When Death is subdued, God will be all in all
• The resurrection of the dead will mean their transformation
• Because Christ has been raised—the first fruits of the general resurrection of the dead—believers are living in the new age. Therefore the return of Christ can occur at any moment.