Volume 45   Number 8                                                                  April 2003

The 15th chapter of I Corinthians is one of the outstanding chapters of the Bible. It is known as the great resurrection chapter. In this chapter, Paul devotes his attention to a discussion of the resurrection of Christ and the resurrection of the dead.

The problem of the Corinthians apparently was not a denial of Christ's resurrection, but a denial of the bodily resurrection of the dead. Paul's aim in this chapter is to show that if there is no bodily resurrection of the dead then is Christ Himself not risen. To deny the one is to deny the other; to deny either is to deny all.

Let's take a closer look at the whole chapter and see how Paul reasons. This chapter seems to divide itself as follows:

1. The fact of the resurrection - Christ is preached that He rose from the dead (vv. 1-11). The very basis of the gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Had it not been for the resurrection of Christ, there would have been no gospel to preach. Paul is calling attention to the fact that Christ had been preached that He rose from the dead, then he goes on to show that the dead will likewise be raised.



2. The necessity of the resurrection - If there is no resurrection from the dead, then is Christ not risen, then four bad things result:
   
   1. "Your faith is vain."
   2. "Ye are yet in your sins."
   3. "Then they also which are falling asleep in Jesus are perished."
   4. "If in this life only we have hope in Christ we are of all men most miserable."
   
   
3. The assurance of the resurrection - But Christ has been raised, and the dead will likewise rise (vv. 20-28). Christ's resurrection is a sign of the resurrection to come! Death came through Adam, but death is conquered through Christ!
   
   
4. The logic of the resurrection - If Christ has not risen from the dead then they also which are fallen asleep in Jesus have perished (vv. 29-34).
   
   
5. The nature of the resurrection body - How will the dead be raised? (vv. 35-49). Paul tells us that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. John says there must be a change and we shall be like Him.
   
   
6. The Christian confidence - Through a resurrection, death is swallowed up in victory (vv. 50-58). The grave is not the end. Where we spend eternity will depend upon the kind of life we have lived. Only those who have lived according to God's word are assured of being with God eternally. Death can be a great victory for those, who through obedience to Christ, are ready for it.