1 Corinthians 15KJV
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1 Corinthians15

King James Version · Public Domain

1Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

5And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

6After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

7After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

8And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

9For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

10But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

11Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.

12Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

13But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:

14And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

15Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.

16For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:

17And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

18Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

19If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

21For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

22For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

23But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

24Then 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.

25For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

26The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

27For 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.

28And 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.

29Else 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?

30And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?

31I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

32If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.

33Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

34Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

35But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?

36Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:

37And 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:

38But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.

39All 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.

40There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

41There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

42So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

43It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:

44It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

45And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

46Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

47The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

48As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

49And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

50Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

51Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52In 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.

53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54So 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.

55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58Therefore, 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.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Corinthians 15.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The apostle proves the resurrection of Christ from the dead. (1–11). Those answered who deny the resurrection of the body. (12–19). The resurrection of believers to eternal life. (20–34). Objections against it answered. (35–50). The mystery of the change that will be made on those living at Christ's second coming. (51–54). The believer's triumph over death and the grave, An exhortation to diligence. (55–58).

vv1-11

The word resurrection, usually points out our existence beyond the grave. Of the apostle's doctrine not a trace can be found in all the teaching of philosophers. The doctrine of Christ's death and resurrection, is the foundation of Christianity. Remove this, and all our hopes for eternity sink at once. And it is by holding this truth firm, that Christians stand in the day of trial, and are kept faithful to God. We believe in vain, unless we keep in the faith of the gospel. This truth is confirmed by Old Testament prophecies; and many saw Christ after he was risen. This apostle was highly favoured, but he always had a low opinion of himself, and expressed it. When sinners are, by Divine grace, turned into saints, God causes the remembrance of former sins to make them humble, diligent, and faithful. He ascribes to Divine grace all that was valuable in him. True believers, though not ignorant of what the Lord has done for, in, and by them, yet when they look at their whole conduct and their obligations, they are led to feel that none are so worthless as they are. All true Christians believe that Jesus Christ, and him crucified, and then risen from the dead, is the sun and substance of Christianity. All the apostles agreed in this testimony; by this faith they lived, and in this faith they died.

vv12-19

Having shown that Christ was risen, the apostle answers those who said there would be no resurrection. There had been no justification, or salvation, if Christ had not risen. And must not faith in Christ be vain, and of no use, if he is still among the dead? The proof of the resurrection of the body is the resurrection of our Lord. Even those who died in the faith, had perished in their sins, if Christ had not risen. All who believe in Christ, have hope in him, as a Redeemer; hope for redemption and salvation by him; but if there is no resurrection, or future recompence, their hope in him can only be as to this life. And they must be in a worse condition than the rest of mankind, especially at the time, and under the circumstances, in which the apostles wrote; for then Christians were hated and persecuted by all men. But it is not so; they, of all men, enjoy solid comforts amidst all their difficulties and trials, even in the times of the sharpest persecution.

vv20-34

All that are by faith united to Christ, are by his resurrection assured of their own. As through the sin of the first Adam, all men became mortal, because all had from him the same sinful nature, so, through the resurrection of Christ, shall all who are made to partake of the Spirit, and the spiritual nature, revive, and live for ever. There will be an order in the resurrection. Christ himself has been the first-fruits; at his coming, his redeemed people will be raised before others; at the last the wicked will rise also. Then will be the end of this present state of things. Would we triumph in that solemn and important season, we must now submit to his rule, accept his salvation, and live to his glory. Then shall we rejoice in the completion of his undertaking, that God may receive the whole glory of our salvation, that we may for ever serve him, and enjoy his favour. What shall those do, who are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Perhaps baptism is used here in a figure, for afflictions, sufferings, and martyrdom, as Mt 20:22, 23. What is, or will become of those who have suffered many and great injuries, and have even lost their lives, for this doctrine of the resurrection, if the dead rise not at all? Whatever the meaning may be, doubtless the apostle's argument was understood by the Corinthians. And it is as plain to us that Christianity would be a foolish profession, if it proposed advantage to themselves by their faithfulness to God; and to have our fruit to holiness, that our end may be everlasting life. But we must not live like beasts, as we do not die like them. It must be ignorance of God that leads any to disbelieve the resurrection and future life. Those who own a God and a providence, and observe how unequal things are in the present life, how frequently the best men fare worst, cannot doubt as to an after-state, where every thing will be set to rights. Let us not be joined with ungodly men; but warn all around us, especially children and young persons, to shun them as a pestilence. Let us awake to righteousness, and not sin.

Cross References

1 Corinthians 15
v3Isaiah 53:5fulfillment

Prophetic description of Messiah dying for our sins, specifically cited as 'according to the scriptures.'

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v4Psalms 16:10fulfillment

Prophecy that God's Holy One would not see corruption, fulfilled in Christ's third-day resurrection.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v25Psalms 110:1quotation

Directly cited: 'He must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet.'

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v27Psalms 8:6quotation

Directly cited: 'For he hath put all things under his feet' as Messianic headship.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v45Genesis 2:7quotation

Paul quotes the creation of the first man Adam as a 'living soul' from Genesis.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v54Isaiah 25:8quotation

Directly quoted: 'Death is swallowed up in victory' is the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v55Hosea 13:14allusion

The dramatic rhetorical taunt of death and the grave is drawn from Hosea's prophecy.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v5Luke 24:34thematic

Explicit historical account of Jesus appearing specifically to Simon (Cephas) after His resurrection.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v21Romans 5:12-17thematic

The defining comparative parallel of death in Adam versus justification and life in Christ.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v26Isaiah 25:8allusion

Prophetic source for the ultimate swallowing up and destruction of death as an enemy.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v32Isaiah 22:13quotation

Quoted by Paul to represent the epicurean, hopeless despair of those denying the resurrection.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v36John 12:24thematic

Jesus uses the identical agricultural analogy: grain must fall and die to bring life.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v45Romans 5:12-14thematic

The theological framework contrasting Adam and Christ as the federal heads of humanity.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin

Parallel description of the last trumpet sounding and the dead rising at Christ's coming.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

Paul uses the same clothing metaphor of being clothed upon with our heavenly house.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin

Paul's verbal parallel of delivering ('I delivered') what he also received by revelation.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v4Jonah 1:17typology

Jonah's three days in the whale as a type of Christ's three days in the grave.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v6Matthew 28:16thematic

The mountain meeting in Galilee, likely where the five hundred brethren saw the risen Christ.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v91 Timothy 1:15thematic

Paul's parallel confession of being the chief of sinners, echoing his humility in v. 9.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v9Ephesians 3:8thematic

Parallel where Paul calls himself 'less than the least of all saints,' matching 'least of the apostles.'

Supported by Matthew Henry

v122 Timothy 2:18thematic

Historical example of false teachers (Hymeneus and Philetus) who destroyed faith by denying the physical resurrection.

Supported by John Calvin

v20Colossians 1:18thematic

Christ designated as the firstborn from the dead, directly parallel to 'firstfruits of them that slept.'

Supported by Matthew Henry

v21Genesis 3:19thematic

The original judgment linking Adam's sin with the arrival of physical death.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

Elaborates on the specific 'order' and timing of the resurrection at His coming.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB

v26Hebrews 2:14thematic

Affirms the systematic destruction of the devil and his power over death.

Supported by John Calvin, JFB

v262 Timothy 1:10thematic

Asserts that Christ has fundamentally abolished death, validating its description as 'destroyed'.

Supported by John Calvin

v26Hosea 13:14thematic

Prophetic expectation of Yahweh redeeming His people from the power of the grave.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v28Colossians 3:11thematic

Shares the distinctive eschatological concept of Christ/God being 'all in all'.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v42Daniel 12:3allusion

The righteous rising to shine as the brightness of the firmament and stars.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v45John 5:25-29thematic

Jesus as the quickening spirit who has life in Himself and raises the dead.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v47John 3:31thematic

Contrasts him who is of the earth (earthy) with Him who comes from heaven.

Supported by John Calvin, JFB

v49Romans 8:29thematic

Believers are predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.

Supported by John Calvin

v57Romans 7:25thematic

A matching burst of thanksgiving to God for deliverance through Jesus Christ.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v57Romans 8:37thematic

Believers are 'more than conquerors' through Him, possessing the victory over death.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v3Daniel 9:26fulfillment

Prophecy of the Messiah being 'cut off, but not for himself' to make reconciliation for iniquity.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v3Galatians 1:12thematic

Confirms Paul received his Gospel not from man, but by direct revelation of Jesus Christ.

Supported by Matthew Poole