1 Corinthians, Chapter 15
© Copyright 2002 Darroll Evans, all
rights reserved
1 Corinthians 15:1-2
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto
you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you,
unless ye have believed in vain.
Paul did not elaborate on the gospel.
Preachers should follow Christ’s example.
Paul preached the message he was given.
Preachers are given messages today, but too
many keep on talking after the message has been delivered.
Paul brought the simple gospel message.
He did not complicate it.
It is through that message that our faith is
built and sustained.
We are to hold fast to the gospel.
If the gospel cannot sustain us, we are in
deep trouble.
In that case, we have all believed in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that
Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the
scriptures:
Many believe that verse 3 and 4 are the
gospel in a nutshell.
I too believed that until it dawned on me
that it was not the gospel.
Verses 3 and 4 tell how God established the
gospel.
The goods news gospel is that Christ is alive
forever more, and we can join him in life!
When Christ arose, He appeared to Peter, and
then to the other Apostles.
The Greek text appears to say that Judas was
alive at the time of the resurrection.
This progression of witnesses is tantamount
to a witness list worthy of any legal hearing in the world.
Christ Jesus then appeared to more than five
hundred believers at one time.
Most of the 500 we still alive at the time of
Paul’s writing.
Paul goes on to say that he appeared to
James.
This James must have been Jesus half-brother,
not the Apostle, because it was after that when He once again appeared to all
the apostles.
James the half-brother, a son of Mary and
Joseph became a leader in the
It was that James who delivered the verdict
on Gentile Christianity in Acts 15.
Lastly, Jesus appeared to Paul. That is why
Paul was so humble.
Paul considered himself born out of due time.
Actually, he was born exactly on time!
Because he was considered a
Johnny-come-lately by many of his day Paul thought of himself as the least of
the apostles.
His Greek name, Paul, can be translated
"least."
It also may come from the Greek word Pauoo/pauw meaning pause.
It was Peter who first preached to Gentiles,
but it was Paul who was the Apostle to the Gentiles.
Paul was what he was due to the grace of God.
We too are what we are due to the grace of
God.
Did you choose your birth date, Or your
Parents, Social Security number?
No!
God chose the time and place that you would
come to the realization of His love for you.
That is grace in action!
1 Corinthians 15:11-13
11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you
that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
It matters not who was speaking when you came
to the realization of Christ, or even if another was speaking.
Let me paraphrase verse 13, "If He has
not risen as we believe none can rise to life."
If Christ has not risen and there is no
resurrection, all we do or think is in vain!
And, we are false witnesses to the world.
If that is true, all those in the past that
have trusted in Christ have died with a false hope.
1 Corinthians 15:20 But now is Christ
risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
However, with so many witnesses we can be
assured that our faith is not in vain.
Christ Jesus has risen!
He is the firstfruits of God’s
harvest!
1 Corinthians 15:21-28
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that
are Christ's at his coming.
24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God,
even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and
power.
25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are
put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things
under him.
28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also
himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all
in all.
In this section, I will offend many.
But, I know no other way except to tell the
good news that is contained in this section.
By one man, Adam, death came upon all
mankind.
You may deny death, but at the appointed time
you shall die!
By another man, Christ Jesus, came the
resurrection of the dead.
You may deny the resurrection, but at the
appointed time you shall be resurrected!
That resurrection is not a resurrection from
death to death as many teach, but it is a resurrection from death to life in,
and because of, Christ Jesus.
I hate to break this news to you so bluntly
but there is no resurrection to eternal death/endless torment as is taught in
most Churches.
There is only one word in the entire Greek
text that may be properly translated "eternal."
That word is aidiois/aidioiV.
It appears in just two verses, Romans 1:20
and Jude 6.
The Bible tells us that "as in Adam all
die, in Christ all shall be made alive."
That all in Adam die is no mystery.
It is clear to all---even atheist die!
However, what is not clear to all is that in
Christ all shall be made alive.
The very thought offends most Christians.
A Christian may be pretib, midtrib, posttirb,
or amillennial, and still be considered a good Christian.
A Christian may believe in unlimited
atonement or limited atonement and still be considered a good Christian.
A Christian may believe in eternal torment or
annihilation and still be considered a good Christian.
A Good Christian may go to Church on Saturday
or Sunday and still be considered a good Christian.
But, if any person believes that God is powerful enough
to reconcile all mankind to Himself through Christ Jesus, well that is just too
much!
When Adam and Eve fell they were the only
ones there.
It was the fall of mankind!
You may believe in the fall of mankind and
still be a good Christian.
From Genesis to revelation the Bible tells of
Man’s fall and restoration.
HOWEVER---If you believe in the restoration
of mankind you cannot be a
"good" Christian.
It is considered heresy to believe that God
has the power and/or inclination to restore mankind!
FYI---The verse does not say
that "all in Christ" shall be made alive.
It says that in Christ shall all be made alive.
What about Daniel 12:2, doesn’t it tell of
eternal punishment?
No!
Daniel 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth
shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting
contempt. (KJV)
The last of that verse should be translated
"an age of repugnance and loathing.
It tells of an age of no restoration.
An age is a limited time period.
Another verse we should consider is Mark
3:29 "But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never
forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation" (KJV).
"Eternal damnation" (Gr. aiwniou amartmhmatoV) expresses an age of depravity.
An age is a limited time period!
The subject is also covered in Matthew
12:32 "And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall
be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be
forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come" (KJV).
In Matthew, the phrase "neither in this
world, neither in the world to come" is a mistranslation.
It should be "neither in this age,
neither in the age to come."
Most translations now reflect that
correction.
Jesus was born, lived and crucified during
the age of the law.
That was the "this age."
We are now in "the age to come,"
the Church age.
What about Matthew 25:46, doesn’t it tell of
eternal punishment?
No!
Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment:
but the righteous into life eternal. (KJV)
"Everlasting punishment" should be
translated, "an age of pruning."
The Greeks words translated
"everlasting" and "eternal" are exactly the same.
So, why did the KJV translators use different
English words?
I don’t know, they did not ask my advice.
There is no eternal torment taught in the
entire Bible!
However, there is a schedule that is being
worked out here on earth.
The schedule is mentioned in verse 23 where
it says, "Every man in his own order."
The schedule of events begins in verse 23 and
continues to verse 24.
Verse 23 says Christ the firstfruits (Gr.
arachee Christos-arach CristoV), but the Greek text literally says, “firstfruits
Christ.”
Christ Jesus is the firstfruits.
The word “firstfruits” may appear to be
plural due to the English text, however
the Greek word is singular, and indicates One, Christ Jesus.
Next on the schedule are those who are His
upon His return.
Finally, the last group will be resurrected.
Those “gatherings” are sequential and
specific.
The first to be gathered is Christ
Himself.
He is the firstfruits!
Next, we find those who are His at His
coming.
That group can only be Christians.
No other group qualifies as “His at His
coming.”
This is a specific time.
II
Thessalonians 2:7-8
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will
let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the
spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
Satanic power shall be consumed (Gr.
Katargeesai-katarghsai) when Christ returns.
That Greek word speaks of rendering it idle.
Satan shall be loosed again at the end of the
millennial reign.
It is at the end of the millennial reign that
Christ will offer up all creation to the Father, and He shall be all in
all.
It will be during that time that the final
gathering/harvest will be accomplished.
In v. 24, if you use a KJV, notice that the
word "comes" is in italics.
That means the KJV translators have added it.
There is no comparable word in the Greek
text.
In days past, it has been taught that this
referred to the end of time.
That theory was based ignorance.
There is no resurrection to death!
All resurrections/gatherings result in life.
Christ was resurrected to life.
Those that His at His coming shall be resurrected/gathered
to life.
But, for some reason most believe that the
last group is resurrected to death.
Why take a dead man, and resurrect him just
so he may die again?
The last resurrection/gathering follows the
millennium of peace.
It will be at the time when Christ Jesus
hands the kingdom over to the Father.
At that time, He shall have abolished all
opposing rulers, authority (death) and power.
The Bible says that at that time, God will be
all in all, not all in all
that’s left.
If God is all in all, what does that mean for
those that are burning in the lake of fire?
Is He all in them too?
There are two facts that we must consider.
First, Christ must reign until God the Father
defeats all Christ’s enemies.
Why has God decided to do it that way?
I don’t know!
He did not ask my advice!
Secondly, the last enemy to be defeated is
death!
How can death hold sway over most of humanity
if it has been defeated, destroyed, rendered ineffective?
The fact is it cannot!
Verse 26 says explicitly that the last enemy
to be “destroyed” will be death!
That is as plain as plain can be!
There will come a time when death will not
hold sway over anyone or anything!
At the consummation, the Son shall hand all
over to the Father and become subject to Him so that He may be all in all!
That is not taught in most Churches!
God’s plan of redemption is progressive, and
systematic.
It was put into effect prior to the fall of
man.
1 Corinthians 15:29-31
29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise
not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?
31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die
daily.
Apparently there was a movement to baptize by
proxy.
It must have been prompted by an ancient
belief that those baptized would be part of the first group resurrected.
If there was no resurrection, why baptize for
something that would not happen?
If there would be no resurrection, why was
Paul persecuted?
Surely the Jews considered the resurrection a
fact.
In verse 31, "I protest" is
unfortunate.
The Greek would be better translated as
"I affirm."
Paul picked up his cross daily, which was an
act of humility.
To some, the cross is an instrument of death.
To us, the cross is an instrument designed to
free us from sin.
1 Corinthians 15:32-34
32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at
33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God:
I speak this to your shame.
"Beasts" is not a reference to wild
animals.
It refers to those that opposed the teaching
of the gospel.
Many cities today have followed
They pride themselves in pagan practices.
Paul then says that if there is
no resurrection what is the point of believing?
We should just have what appears to be a good
time, because it will be a meaningless life followed by a meaningless death.
However, if there is a resurrection be on guard.
"Bad company corrupts good morals"
(NASB).
A dear friend of mine, the late Danny Barnes,
was the co-founder of Faith Home, a Christian rehab facility for alcoholics and
drug addicts.
His philosophy was, "If you want to
change your life---change your playmates."
That is good advice!
Verse 34 is a trick verse.
You cannot awake to righteousness without
Christ Jesus.
Your awakening is predicated on your
relationship with Him.
1 Corinthians 15:35-38
35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do
they come?
36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but
bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own
body.
Some may question the resurrection.
That is their right.
Their questioning does not invalidate the
gospel.
Their questioning gives us n opportunity to
testify to the power of God.
The society of Paul’s day was agrarian.
Christ and Paul often used agricultural
examples in teaching.
In verse 38, Paul points out the obvious when
he writes, "God giveth!"
Rule number one is, God has things under
control and on schedule.
Rule number two is, never doubt rule number
one!
1 Corinthians 15:39 All flesh is not the
same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts,
another of fishes, and another of birds.
It was not until true science found DNA that
we knew that this was absolutely true.
All flesh is not the same.
It took science centuries to catch up with
the Bible.
In creation, one size does not fit all. God
has a myriad of individual creations, physical and spiritual.
When we acknowledge Christ we become a new
creation.
For us, at that point, things begin.
One day, there will be a new heaven and a new
earth to go along with the new you.
1 Corinthians 15:42-45
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is
raised in incorruption:
43 It is sown in dishonour; 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. There is a natural
body, and there is a spiritual body.
45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last
Adam was made a quickening spirit.
Resurrection is what brings forth the
totality of the new you.
You now live a dying body.
But, soon that body will be changed into an
incorruptible body.
That which is now perishable shall become
imperishable.
We who are now subject to sin shall be
sinless.
In our resurrection we shall be raised with
the full manifested honor of being completed in Christ.
All that is subject to death will no longer
be so when death is destroyed.
Many people have been rendered ineffective
due to sin.
Soon death shall be rendered ineffective due
to righteousness.
Now we are the manifest product of the first
Adam whose sin brought on death.
Soon we shall be the manifest product of the
second Adam whose righteousness brought forth life.
1 Corinthians 15:46-49
46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural;
and afterward that which is spiritual.
47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from
heaven.
48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the
heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image
of the heavenly.
The question is: Which came first, the first
Adam or the second Adam?
The answer is the second Adam was the
creating agent of the first Adam.
Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in
heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones,
or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and
for him: (KJV)
Those that are earthly minded gravitate to
base things.
When we are called to Christ, we become
heavenly (spiritually) minded.
1 Corinthians 15:50-56
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be
changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet
shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be
changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on
immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal
shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is
written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
Sinful man cannot, by his personal power,
attain a sinless state.
We must go through Christ Jesus.
John 14:6---Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the
life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (KJV)
When Christ said He was the Way, the Truth,
and the Life, He was not being poetic!
Some will not die to inherit the goodness of
God, but all shall be changed.
We shall take on the characteristics of the
risen Savior.
We shall be like Him (1 John 3:2).
FYI---that does not mean that we will become
saviors!
“Death is swallowed up in victory!”
That statement is
used to declare Death’s death!
Death shall end (Revelation 21:4)!
The curse shall end (Revelation 22:3)!
In that day, we shall cry out, "O
death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"
Death is limited in its power.
God is not!
Death’s power is in sin, and sin’s power is
in the law.
Sin was dealt with on the cross.
The Levitical law has been invalidated.
That is why the law has no control over our
destiny.
Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath
made me free from the law of sin and death.
1 Corinthians 15:57-58
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding
in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain
in the Lord.
Many clamor for victory.
But, what is victory and how do
"we" gain it?
Most theologians do not understand
victory!
Victory comes only at the proper time in
Christ Jesus!
Satan’s job is to attempt to get you to doubt
God, to renounce Christ Jesus.
The only flaw in Satan’s plan is that your
salvation is not based on your relationship with God the Father!
It is based on Jesus’ relationship with God
the Father!
You have been chosen to receive the benefits
of Christ’s work!
He paid a debt He did not owe to ransom you
from a debt you could not pay!
We gain victory be simply trusting in Jesus.
That is victory!