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Paul's Argument for Christ's Resurrection in 1 Corinthians

Paul's argument for Christ's resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15 is a foundational defense of a future resurrection of the dead, directly addressing doubts among some Corinthian believers [10, 11, 13]. The apostle begins by reminding them of the gospel message he preached, which centers on the atoning death and resurrection of Christ [13]. He emphasizes that Christ died for sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, appearing to many witnesses [5, 13].

The core of Paul's argument is that Christ's resurrection is inextricably linked to the general resurrection of the dead. He challenges the Corinthians directly: "Now if Christ is preached, that he has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?" [2]. Paul asserts that denying the resurrection of the dead logically necessitates denying Christ's resurrection as well: "But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ been raised" [3]. This connection is crucial because, for Paul, Christ's resurrection serves as the confirmation and guarantee of a future resurrection for believers [11].

Paul then outlines the dire consequences if Christ had not been raised:

Paul highlights that death entered the world through a man (Adam), and similarly, the resurrection of the dead comes through a man (Christ) [1]. Just as all die in Adam, so in Christ all will be made alive [6]. Christ is presented as the "firstfruits" of those who have fallen asleep, indicating that his resurrection inaugurates and guarantees the resurrection of all believers [6].

The apostle also addresses the nature of the resurrection body, contrasting the "earthly man" (Adam) with the "heavenly man" (Christ) [6]. He explains that believers currently have physical bodies like Adam but will someday be like Christ, experiencing the Kingdom of God in resurrection bodies [6]. This transformation is described as a "mystery" – a previously unknown secret of resurrection – where not all will die, but all will be changed [9]. This change involves the perishable putting on the imperishable and the mortal putting on immortality.

Paul's argument in 1 Corinthians 15 is not merely a theological assertion but a practical one, written from Ephesus around A.D. 57, in response to news of divisions and doctrinal issues in the Corinthian church [4, 12]. Some Corinthians, influenced perhaps by Greek philosophical notions of the immortality of the soul rather than a bodily resurrection, found the idea of a physical resurrection difficult to accept [11]. Matthew Henry notes that denying the resurrection was a common sentiment among heathens, and Paul counters this by presenting Christ's resurrection as an "incontestable fact" [12]. The hope for future resurrection, though known by faith, is evidenced by Jesus' own resurrection and the presence of the Holy Spirit [7].

Sources

  1. 1 Corinthians “quoniam quidem per hominem mors, et per hominem resurrectio mortuorum. -- 1 Corinthians 15:21”
  2. 1 Corinthians “Now if Christ is preached, that he has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? -- 1 Corinthians 15:12”
  3. 1 Corinthians “But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ been raised. -- 1 Corinthians 15:13”
  4. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Corinthians, First Epistle to the — Was written from Ephesus (1 Cor. 16:8) about the time of the Passover in the third year of the apostle's sojourn there (Acts 19:10; 20:31), and when he had formed the purpose to visit Macedonia, and then return to Corinth (probably A.D. 57). The news which had reached him, however, from Corinth frustrated his plan. He had heard of the abuses and contentions that had arisen among them, first from Apollos (Acts 19:1), and then from a letter they had written him on the subject, and also from some of the "household of Chloe," and from ”
  5. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 15:4: 15:4 just as the Scriptures said: See Ps 16:10; Hos 6:2; Jon 1:17; Matt 12:40; Acts 2:24-32.”
  6. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 15:49: 15:49 Like the earthly man, Adam, we have physical bodies in this life. But we will someday be like Christ, the heavenly man, experiencing the Kingdom of God in resurrection bodies (cp. Rom 6:4-14).”
  7. 2 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Corinthians 5:7: 5:7 Our hope for future resurrection can only be known by faith (see Heb 11:1, 3, 27), yet we do have Jesus’ own resurrection and the presence of the Holy Spirit as evidence of what is to come (1 Cor 15:1-9; Eph 1:14).”
  8. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 15:17: vain--Ye are, by the very fact (supposing the case to be as the skeptics maintained), frustrated of all which "your faith" appropriates: Ye are still under the everlasting condemnation of your sins (even in the disembodied state which is here referred to), from which Christ's resurrection is our justification (Rom 4:25): "saved by his life" (Rom 5:10).”
  9. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 15:51: 15:51 The Good News reveals the previously unknown secret of resurrection. • We will not all die: Paul might have expected the future resurrection in his own lifetime (cp. 15:52; 1 Thes 4:15, 17).”
  10. 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 15 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO 1 CORINTHIANS 15 The apostle, in this chapter, recommends the Gospel, and gives a summary of it, proves the resurrection of Christ, and by various arguments establishes the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, and answers objections made unto it. He also sets forth the glory there will be upon the bodies of risen saints, and the change that will be made on living ones; and concludes with an exhortation to perseverance in faith and holiness. As his chief view is the doctrine of the resurrection, he introduces this by recommend”
  11. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 15:12: 15:12-34 Paul now makes the case for a future resurrection. 15:12-20 Christ’s resurrection confirms the reality of the future resurrection. 15:12 Some believers in Corinth apparently had a difficult time accepting the Jewish notion of a bodily resurrection of the dead, preferring instead the Greek notion of the immortality of the soul (cp. Acts 17:18, 32).”
  12. 1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 15:12: Having confirmed the truth of our Saviour's resurrection, the apostle goes on to refute those among the Corinthians who said there would be none: If Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? Co1 15:12. It seems from this passage, and the course of the argument, there were some among the Corinthians who thought the resurrection an impossibility. This was a common sentiment among the heathens. But against this the apostle produces an incontestable fact, namely, the resurrection of Christ;”
  13. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 15:1: 15:1-58 Some people in the church had doubts about a future resurrection of the dead. Paul reassures them and, perhaps in response to their skeptical questions, discusses the nature of a resurrection body. 15:1-11 Paul summarizes the Good News that he preached. 15:1 At the heart of the Good News stands the message of the atoning death and resurrection of Christ (see 15:3-4; Rom 5:8-10; 6:5-11).”
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