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1
Corinthians Chapter Fifteen
I.
Content of the Chapter
The Faith of Resurrection of Christians
A. The importance of Christ’s resurrection ----
(v.1-4);
B. The assurance of Christ’s resurrection (v.5-11):
1. The appearing of the risen Christ (v.5-8);
2. The testimony of Paul himself (v.9-11);
C. The faith of Christ’s resurrection (v.12-19);
1. Christ has risen
and the dead will rise (v.12-16).
2. If Christ is not risen
our faith is futile (v.17-19).
D. The result of Christ’s resurrection (v.);
1. He has become the first-fruits
of those who have fallen asleep (v.20-23).
2. He brings the
E. The effect of Christ’s resurrection (v.29-34):
1. The faith of resurrection is the pillar of
our walking today (v.29-32).
2. The faith of resurrection makes us live more
sober (v.33-34).
F. The body of Christ’s resurrection (v.35-49);
1. The difference of the bodies after resurrection
(v.35-42a);
2. The nature of the risen body (v.42b-49);
G. The hope of Christ’s resurrection (v.);
1. The body will be transformed (v.50-53).
2. Death is swallowed up in victory (v.54-57).
3. The labor today is not in vain in the Lord (v.58).
II.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1Cor. 15:1 “Moreover
brethren
I
declare to you the gospel which I preached to you
which also you received and
in which you stand
”
YLT: “And I make known to you
brethren
the good news that I
proclaimed to you
which also ye did receive
in which also ye have stood
”
Literal
Meaning: “moreover
I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you”
Paul here repeats
again the gospel which he preached to the Corinthians to remind them that they
should hold fast the gospel.
“Which also you received and in which you stand”
“the gospel” refers to the full gospel
that the believers have received
namely
the whole revelation of the New
Testament;
Enlightenment
in the Word: “which also you received and
in which you stand”
that we receive
the gospel is not appreciating a empty theory
but receiving the risen Christ
into us and letting Him our Lord and relying on Him in everything so that we
can stand firm without being stumbled.
1Cor. 15:2 “by which also you are
saved
if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed
in vain.”
YLT: “through which also ye are being saved
in what words I
proclaimed good news to you
if ye hold fast
except ye did believe in vain
”
Meaning
of Words: “in
vain”: without a cause
idly
without effect;
Literal
Meaning: “unless you believed in vain”
“believed in vain”
it indicates that if the content of the
gospel is alternated or the important part of the gospel is eliminated
the
effect of man’s faith will be lost. It is a conditional negative tone ---- if
you have not changed the content of the gospel.
“If you hold fast that word which I preached to you”
it is to hold fast the whole truth that
Paul had preached to them.
“By which also you are saved”
once we have believed
our spirits have been
saved. However
it obviously also includes the salvation of the soul here.
Today
when we are in the process that our souls are saved today
we shall go
ahead on the way of salvation by the life of the Lord (
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) To receive Jesus is to believe His name.
When Paul preached the gospel
he preached the Lord’s death and resurrection.
If they received and believed
they would “stand … be saved” (v.1-2). Their
being saved and standing have revealed the truth of the gospel ---- Jesus died
and rose again.
2) If someone asks me what the proof of the
resurrection of Jesus is
I will answer it is the
3) When every believer receives the gospel
he
has set foot on and will walk on the way of salvation. Our soul needs to be
saved gradually and daily. Worldly views
natural affections and the will of
the old man should be changed until we are just like the Lord.
1Cor. 15:3 “For I delivered to you
first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins
according to the Scriptures
”
YLT: “for I delivered to you first
what also I did receive
that Christ died for our sins
according to the Writings
”
Literal
Meaning: “for I delivered to you that
which I also received”
“receive”
it
shows that what Paul preached was not created by him
but received from the
Lord. “Deliver”
it indicates that his own task was delivering the message.
“First of all that Christ died for our sins according to
the Scriptures”
“first of all”
it refers to the order of his account.
“Christ”: the name of the Savior; “According to the Scriptures”
all things that had happened to Christ were
according to the prophets in the Old Testament.
“Died
for our sins”
the gospel is not
He was crucified merely
but that He was crucified “for our sins”.
Enlightenment
in the Word: the excellent proof
of the gospel is the experience of those who have heard
and received and
believed ---- they prove the value of the Lord’s death for us and declare the
significance of the Lord’s resurrection.
1Cor. 15:4 “and that He was buried
and
that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures
”
YLT: “and that he was buried
and that he hath risen on the
third day
according to the Writings
”
Literal
Meaning: “and that He was buried”
“was buried”
it indicated
that the death of Christ was a fact instead of transitory disappearance ---- He
truly died.
“And according to the Scriptures”
the
prophecy that Christ will rise is recorded in
the Book of Psalm (16:10).
“That He rose again the third day”
if Christ was only punished for our sins and yet
had not risen
he could not justify us or quicken us (
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) There are three foundations of the gospel:
a) the Lord died for our sins; b) He was buried;
c) He rose
again.
2) The risen Jesus is the rock of our faith
so
we should make sure it is true. However
it is insufficient to know rationally
only. And the real problem is whether the risen Lord Jesus has revealed to us.
3) The death and burial of Christ are
“according to the Scriptures” (v.3)
so is the resurrection of Christ
which
shows that the death and resurrection of Christ were predominated and active.
All the hindrances and interruptions of the enemy are in vain. Christ is always
the Head and always victorious!
4) The death of the Lord Jesus has dealt with
our problem of sins
and His resurrection yet brings us positive effect ---- He
grants us His life
through which we can live.
1Cor. 15:5 “and that He was seen by
Cephas
then by the twelve.”
YLT: “and that he appeared to Cephas
then to the twelve
”
Literal
Meaning: “and that He was seen by Cephas”
it happened after the
two disciples in Emmaus had witnessed the manifestation of the risen Lord and
before they returned to
“Then by the twelve”
“twelve” refers to the
whole group of the apostles instead of the exact number of the apostles. Since
Judas at that time hanged himself and Thomas was not absent
there were
actually ten apostles. Eight days later
Thomas was present when the risen
Christ manifested again (John 20:19
26).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The manifestation of the Lord was for the
purpose of proving the resurrection. Therefore
every time when the Lord
reveals to us in our spirit
the risen Christ will be made known to us more
perfect.
2) All the apostles witnessed the revelation
of the Lord Jesus after His resurrection so that they could be witnesses of the
risen Christ (Acts 1:22) and their messages would bear witness to the
resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:32; 4:33) and even their life also testified the
risen Christ. We believers should also turn to the Lord and look on the glory
of the Lord with unveiled face (see 2Cor.3:16-18) so that we can be witnesses
of Christ’s resurrection.
1Cor. 15:6 “After that He was seen by
over five hundred brethren at once
of whom the greater part remain to the
present
but some have fallen asleep.”
YLT: “afterwards he appeared to above five hundred brethren
at once
of whom the greater part remain till now
and certain also did fall
asleep;”
Literal
Meaning: “after that He was seen by
over five hundred brethren at once”
it might happen on the appointed mountain in
“Of whom the greater part remain to the present”
“remain to the present”
it meant that they
were still alive in the world when Paul wrote the First Epistle to the Corinthians. This epistle was a public
letter. If anyone who opposed Paul went to find any disciple who was alive to
accuse Paul of lying
there would be no Christianity today.
“But some have fallen asleep”
“have fallen asleep”: have been dead;
1Cor. 15:7 “After that He was seen by
James
then by all the apostles.”
YLT: “afterwards he appeared to James
then to all the
apostles.”
Literal
Meaning: “after that He was seen by
James”
“James” was the physical brother of the Lord Jesus
(Matt. 13:55)
he did not believe the Lord at first (see John 7:5). However
he
believed the Lord later for the Lord appeared to him (see Acts 1:3
14).
Therefore
his repenting and believing in the Lord were a proof of the Lord’s
resurrection.
“Then by all the apostles”
it might refer to the last manifestation of the
Lord to all the apostles before His ascension ---- He commanded them to wait
for the coming upon of the Spirit and receive power to be witnesses of the Lord
(Acts 1:4-11).
1Cor. 15:8 “Then last of all He was
seen by me also
as by one born out of due time.”
YLT: “And last of all -- as to the untimely birth -- he
appeared also to me
”
Literal
Meaning: “then last of all He was seen
by me also”
“last”: in the
end; the Lord Jesus manifested Paul after His ascension (Acts 9:1-5).
“As by one born out
of due time”
it was self-abasement of Paul
who describes himself as a
prematurely born baby that had not undergone the normal process. It might be
because Paul had not followed the Lord Jesus when He began to preach but was
called after the Lord’s resurrection. This was an abnormal condition
and was
different from other disciples.
Enlightenment
in the Word: even Paul who was
as a born out of due time in spirit can be used by the Lord
how much rather
shall those who have been superiorly cultivated from the outset be used by the
Lord and devote all themselves for the sake of the gospel?
1Cor. 15:9 “For I am the least of the
apostles
who am not worthy to be called an apostle
because I persecuted the
YLT: “for I am the
least of the apostles
who am not worthy to be called an apostle
because I did
persecute the assembly of God
”
Literal
Meaning: “for I am the least of the
apostles
who am not worthy to be called an apostle”
there might be two reasons for Paul’s these
words: firstly
he was humble. Secondly
he was not an apostle called by the
Lord in His flesh and he persecuted the church after the Lord’s resurrection
but he turned to serve the Lord after the Lord’s manifestation. Therefore
he
thought he was unworthy to be called an apostle.
“Because I persecuted the
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Paul
was primitively named Saul (Acts 9:4)
and he changed his name after he was saved. Paul means “littleness”. The Lord’s
workers should not be puffed up
but shall be willing to be humble to serve
all.
2) Man like Paul who persecuted the
1Cor. 15:10 “But by the grace of God I
am what I am
and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more
abundantly than they all
yet not I
but the grace of God which was with me.”
YLT: “and by the grace of God I am what I am
and His grace
that towards me came not in vain
but more abundantly than they all did I
labour
yet not I
but the grace of God that with me;”
Literal
Meaning: “but”: nevertheless;
“I am what I am”
it refers to his present status and achievements;
“By the grace of God”
the tremendous transformation of Paul was totally
out of the grace of God.
“And His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored
more abundantly than they all”
it was the proof of the Lord’s resurrection that
Paul repented to be an apostle and was willing to labor more abundantly.
“Yet not I
but the grace of God which was with me”
the grace of God is with Paul
which
makes him more laborious than all the apostles.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “But by the grace of God I am what I am”
the grace of God
makes our present condition.
2) The grace of God makes every turning point
of one’s life. The value of our life does not depend on our ability or effort
but on the grace of God.
3) If we can love the Lord more than others and
serve the Lord more diligently
it is not that we are good but that the grace
of God is with us.
1Cor. 15:11 “Therefore
whether it was I
or they
so we preach and so you believed.”
YLT: “whether
then
I or they
so we preach
and so ye did
believe.”
Literal
Meaning: “therefore
whether it was I
or they”
no matter Paul or all the apostles
all of them had
witnessed the resurrection of the Lord
so they counted the resurrection as the
three great elements of the gospel (death
burial and resurrection).
“So we preach and so you believed”
“so we preach”: it refers to the content of the
gospel
namely
what is mentioned in verse three and four. “So you believed”
the gospel that believers in
1Cor. 15:12 “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?”
YLT: “And if Christ is preached
that out of the dead he hath
risen
how say certain among you
that there is no rising again of dead
persons?”
Literal
Meaning: “how do some among you say
that there is no resurrection of the dead?” “Some among you”
it referred to the false
teachers in the church at
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Many times
those who preach the heresy may
not deny or oppose some truth in the Scriptures directly
but lead believers
astray with some oblique saying.
2) Christ has been raised from the dead
so those who believe Him shall also be raised
from the dead. Christ is the pioneer of the way of faith (see Heb. 6:20). What
He has experienced will also be experienced by us.
3) If there is no resurrection of the dead
God
is the God of the dead
not of the living. However
He is the God of the living
(Matt. 22:32). If Christ has not been raised from the dead
He is a dead Savior
instead of a living Savior. However
he is living to the ages of ages (Rev.
1:18).
1Cor. 15:13 “But if there is no
resurrection of the dead
then Christ is not risen.”
YLT: “and if there be no rising again of dead persons
neither hath Christ risen;”
Literal
Meaning: we can see from
this verse that they apparently deny the resurrection of the dead but actually
they scheme to deny the resurrection of Christ.
1Cor. 15:14 “And if Christ is not risen
then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.”
YLT: “and if Christ hath not risen
then void our preaching
and void also your faith
”
Meaning
of Words: “empty”:
vain
useless
of no effect;
Literal
Meaning: “and if Christ is not risen”
if Christ cannot
overcome the death;
“Then our preaching is empty”
the Christ preached by the apostles is a Savior
who can deliver man from sins and death. However
if He Himself cannot overcome
the death
how can He save others?
“And your faith is also empty”
if what man preaches is wrong
what man believes
is empty.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Today
the infidels say that Jesus Christ
rises in spirit or mind but not in body. Such man actually intends to overthrow
the testimony testified by the apostles and not believe the body of Jesus
Christ is risen. The so-called spiritual resurrection is an abstract noun. The
spirit is not a physical life
so it has nothing to do with resurrection.
2) The most important point of our faith is to
believe the Lord’s death and resurrection. It is truly doubtless of the
resurrection of the Lord
for there is the record of the Scriptures as well as eye-witnesses
(v.3-7). If the Lord has not been raised
He is just like the founders of
religions who are in death and yet can not deliver them from death. How can He
save us? Therefore
if we do not believe the Lord’s resurrection firmly and
thoroughly
the preachment and the faith of the gospel are both empty
and we
all “still in sins” (v.17) ---- we have no hope of the coming ages at all
and
are of all men
the most pitiable. And it would be
better to eat
and drink and spend the whole
life aimlessly
for everything comes to an end when we die (v.17
19
32).
3) If Christ is not living
everything of us
has become empty and dead: no content and no life. The preachment and the faith
of the gospel are empty
everything will not be practical.
1Cor. 15:15 “Yes
and we are found false
witnesses of God
because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ
whom He did not raise up--if in fact the dead do not rise.”
YLT: “and we also are found false witnesses of God
because
we did testify of God that He raised up the Christ
whom He did not raise if
then dead persons do not rise;”
Literal
Meaning: “because we have testified of
God that He raised up Christ”
the apostles testified again and again that God
raised Christ (see Acts 1:22; 2:31-33; 4:2; 17:18; 23:6; 24:15
21).
“Whom He did not raise up--if in fact the dead do not rise”
if there was no resurrection of the dead
Christ had not been raised from the dead (see v.13). If Christ had not been
raised from the dead
it proved that God had not raised Christ up.
1Cor. 15:16 “For if the dead do not
rise
then Christ is not risen.”
YLT: “for if dead persons do not rise
neither hath Christ
risen
”
Literal
Meaning: it emphasizes the
words of verse thirteen again.
1Cor. 15:17 “And if Christ is not risen
your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!”
YLT: “and if Christ hath not risen
vain is your faith
ye
are yet in your sins;”
Meaning
of Words: “futile”:
vain
empty;
Literal
Meaning: “and if Christ is not risen
your faith is futile”
it emphasizes the words of verse fourteen
again.
“You are still in your sins!” ---- Christ was marked out Son of God in
power by resurrection of dead Jesus Christ our Lord (
Note that Paul does not
say the condemnation has not been removed
for Christ was dead and the
condemnation had also been eliminated. However
if Christ had not been raised
from the dead
we were still in sins. Here we see the significance of the
resurrection.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Jesus had paid our debt of sins on the
cross. His resurrection was like the receipt sent by God. If Jesus had not been
raised from the dead
it showed that the ransom price had not been paid and we
still owned God.
2) If Christ had not been raised
that He is
the Son of God and He is Christ sent by God could not been proved and His death
was valueless
and it was a problem whether He had the right to redeem us.
3) The death of Christ saves us from the
condemnation of sins. The resurrection of Christ delivers us from the power of
sin (see
1Cor. 15:18 “Then also those who have
fallen asleep in Christ have perished.”
YLT: “then
also
those having fallen asleep in Christ did
perish;”
Literal
Meaning: if those who have believed
Christ and have also fallen asleep have believed a wrong object
their will
perish.
1Cor. 15:19 “If in this life only we
have hope in Christ
we are of all men the most pitiable.”
YLT: “if in this life we have hope in Christ only
of all men
we are most to be pitied.”
Literal
Meaning: “if in this life only we have
hope in Christ”
if man can not rise
there will not be the
so-called future life or eternal life
and all hope will be thus confined in
this life only.
If there is no resurrection
we will have no future or hope toward the
future. All the hope of Christians relates to our resurrection
e.g. Christ is
the hope of glory (
“We are of all men the most pitiable”
“all men” refer to men in the world. Men
in the world enjoy this life because of the absence of the cares for the coming
age. However
if we Christians suffer various persecutions and troubles for the
sake of our faith but have no hope in the future
we are of all men the most
pitiable.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Since we follow Christ
we may suffer loss
or be persecuted or be humiliated by men or sacrifice the temporary pleasure of
sin in this life. If we finally still enter the eternal darkness
we are of all
men the most pitiable
aren’t we?
2) How transient this life is! And how long the
eternal life is! How foolish it is that one exchanges eternal perdition for the
present pleasantness! However
if troubles in this life could exchange for
eternal blessings
we would be only too glad to do it! Since we believers have
the hope of resurrection
we divert our sight from this life into the eternal
life and see the inheritance in the future from afar off so that we can run on
the way of troubles with joy (see
Heb. 11:13).
1Cor. 15:20 “But now Christ is risen
from the dead
and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
YLT: “And now
Christ hath risen out of the dead -- the
first-fruits of those sleeping he became
”
Literal
Meaning: “and has become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep”
“those who have fallen asleep” refer to Christians who have departed from
the world. “The
first-fruits”
it is the proof that the rest fruits will
also be ripe. The resurrection of Christ is like the first fruit
which is the
proof that all believers shall also rise. The resurrection of Christ proves
that all believers shall also rise. Though believers will rise in the future
since Christ has already risen
we know that we will also rise according to the
risen Christ. It is just like that we know that the rest fruits will be ripe
soon when we see the first-fruits.
The
day of the first-fruits of the
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “The first-fruits” are the assurance and
sample of all the fruits in the future. The first-fruits will ensure the rest
fruits will ripe. The color and character of the rest fruits depend on that of
the first-fruits. Thank the Lord! Christ is the first-fruit of us. Since He has
risen and entered into full glory
He will guarantee that we who believe Him
shall also enter full glory with Him and be like Him completely.
2) Christ is the first-fruit
and the
victorious Christians are also first-fruits
for they imitate Christ ---- these
are they who follow the Lamb wherever it goes (see Rev. 14:4).
1Cor. 15:21 “For since by man came
death
by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.”
YLT: “for since through man the death
also through man a
rising again of the dead
”
Literal
Meaning: “for since by man came
death”
when Adam sinned
death passed upon all men (see
“By Man also came the
resurrection of the dead”
since Jesus
Christ has risen
those who believe Him will also rise again (John 11:25).
1Cor. 15:22 “For as in Adam all die
even so in Christ all shall be made alive.”
YLT: “for even as in Adam all die
so also in the Christ all
shall be made alive
”
Literal
Meaning: “for as in Adam all die”
all men in Adam are
dead in spirit (see Eph. 2:11)
and their bodies will die sooner or later. And
through fear of death
they are bondmen of the devil who has the might of death
(Heb. 2:15).
“Even so in Christ all shall be made alive”
we are the new creation in Christ (see 2Cor. 5:17) and will rise in the future.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Men in Adam are doomed to death. After they
are born
they walk on the way of death. Men do not live everyday
but are
dying everyday. When death works in men
they are running into death.
2) However
men in Christ have changed their
dwelling places and walk on the way of life and run into life from the day when
they are saved. Everyday
we experience the risen life of Christ
so we “live”
everyday. And the more we live
the more we will grow up and the more we will
be transformed. One day
when we meet the Lord
our bodies will be redeemed and
be changed completely and live to ages of ages.
1Cor. 15:23 “But each one in his own
order: Christ the firstfruits
afterward those who are Christ's at His coming.”
YLT: “and each in his proper order
a first-fruit Christ
afterwards those who are the Christ's
in his presence
”
Literal
Meaning: “but each one in his own
order”
“order”: order of
time; everyone will rise according to his order in different time.
“Christ the first-fruits”
Jesus Christ is the
first one who truly rise from the dead
so He is the first-fruit. The
resurrection of others
like Lazarus and the saints who have fallen asleep
arose when the Lord yielded up the spirit
are transient (see John 12:1; Matt.
27:52-53)
so they can not be counted as the first-fruits.
“Afterward those who are Christ's at His
coming”
the saints who have fallen asleep will also rise when the Lord comes
again (1Thess. 4:16). It is called the first resurrection in the Scriptures
(Rev. 20:5). The resurrections before the first one are transient ---- for
instance
the resurrection of Dorcas (Acts 9:40-41) and etc. ---- so they are
not the first resurrection.
Paul compares the order of resurrection with
the condition that the army returns in triumph: the ruler is the foremost and
the second one is the army and the captives are in the end. The order of
resurrection is: Christ is the first
and believers before the kingdom of one
thousand years after
and those who hindmost. The first is the first-fruit
and
the second is the harvest
and the last one is burning the useless things after
threshing grains (see v.24).
1Cor. 15:24 “Then comes the end
when He
delivers the kingdom to God the Father
when He puts an end to all rule and all
authority and power.”
YLT: “then -- the end
when he may deliver up the reign to
God
even the Father
when he may have made useless all rule
and all authority
and power --”
Literal
Meaning: “then comes the end”
“end”: the end of
the old heaven and the old earth (see Rev. 20:11; 2Pet. 3:10).
“When He puts an end to all rule and all authority and
power”
“when…”
after the kingdom of one thousand years
(see Rev. 20:7-10); “all
rule and all authority and power”
it refers to Satan and His messengers (see Eph. 1:21). “Put an end”: be cast
into the lake of fire and brimstone (see Rev. 20:10; Matt. 25:41).
“When He delivers the kingdom to God the Father”
“kingdom” refers to the
1Cor. 15:25 “For He must reign till He
has put all enemies under His feet.”
YLT: “for it behoveth him to reign till he may have put all
the enemies under his feet --”
Literal
Meaning: “for He must reign”
it is before Christ delivers
the kingdom to God the Father: what the seventh angel sounded: “the kingdom of
the world of our Lord and of his Christ is come
and he shall reign” (Rev.
11:15).
“Till He has put all enemies under His
feet”
it reveals the perfect victory of Christ. “Till”
when Christ reigns in
the kingdom of a thousand years
the end of Satan has not come (see Rev. 20:7).
When the appointed time of God comes
Satan will be put under the feet of
Christ (Heb. 1:13; Ps. 110:1).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Since Christ is such a victorious king
we
need not fear the attacks of Satan
for it had been early defeated by the Lord.
As long as we rely on the Lord closely
we will overcome the devil in
everything.
2) The church is the body of Christ (Eph. 1:23;
1Cor. 15:26 “The last enemy that will be
destroyed is death.”
YLT: “the last enemy is done away -- death;”
Literal
Meaning: “the last”: the end (v.24)
when the old heaven and
the old earth; “death”: be cast into the lake of fire with Hades (see Rev.
20:14).
Death is the last enemy
for the devil has the might of death
through
which he enslaves sinners (see Heb. 2:14-15). And the souls of dead sinners are
held in Hades by death. Therefore
death and Hades will be lastly destroyed
after giving up the dead in them (see Rev. 20:13-14).
1Cor. 15:27 “For "He has put all
things under His feet." But when He says "all things are put under
Him
" it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted.”
YLT: “for all things He did put under his feet
and
when one
may say that all things have been subjected
evident that He is excepted who
did subject the all things to him
”
Literal
Meaning: “for”
the following scriptures are quoted from the Book of Psalm (8:6).
“He has put all things under His feet”
“under”: be in subjection to; it
indicates that it is the will of God that Christ shall reign and destroy all
the enemies (v.25-26) and inherit all (see Eph. 1:22; Heb. 2:8; 1Pet. 3:22).
“But when He says "all things are put under
Him
" It is evident that He who
put all things under Him is excepted.”
“He who put
all things under Him”
it refers to God
the Father.
1Cor. 15:28 “Now when all things are
made subject to Him
then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put
all things under Him
that God may be all in all.”
YLT: “and when the all things may be subjected to him
then
the Son also himself shall be subject to Him
who did subject to him the all
things
that God may be the all in all.”
Literal
Meaning: “now when all things are made
subject to Him
then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all
things under Him”
“Him”: God the Son
namely
Christ; “Him who put all things
under Him”: God the Father;
The persons of the Holy Trinity: the Son is on an equality with God the Father
(see Phil. 2:6)
for the Son and the Father are one (John 10:30). And as for
the work of God
the Son confesses that the Father is greater than Him (John
14:28).
“That God may be all in all”
“God” refers
to the Holy Trinity
for Christ shall reign with God the Father for ever (see
Rev. 11:15; 19:6).
1Cor. 15:29 “Otherwise
what will they
do who are baptized for the dead
if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are
they baptized for the dead?”
YLT: “Seeing what shall they do who are baptized for the
dead
if the dead do not rise at all? why also are they baptized for the dead?”
Literal
Meaning: there are different
views upon this view on theology:
1) At that time
there was a strange custom in
the church ---- the dead believers could be baptized again. Paul did not
approve this custom
for it was opposite to his habitual view of paying attention
to reality instead of letters (see Rom. 2:28-29; Col. 2:14-17; 1Cor. 1:17). And
such custom disappeared soon. Paul just attacked their shield with their spear.
Though he did not approve this custom
he used it to prove that man needed not
be baptized if he did not believe the resurrection of the dead.
2) The relatives of believers were baptized
when they were living because of being touched by the dead believers in the
hope that they could still be gathered when the dead rose in the future.
3) Here “the dead” were believers who had been
dead
but they were baptized when they lived. And when Paul now mentioned their
baptism
he called “who
are baptized for the dead”.
4) It is a saying with implied meanings
such
as “die daily” (v.31)
“have fought with beasts” (v.32). “Dead”: those who are dead in
spirit (Eph. 2:1); “Be baptized” refers to the suffering (see Luke 12:50).
Believers suffer the troubles caused by unbelievers for the sake of the hope of
resurrection.
The first and second views
are reasonable. But the last two ones are rather farfetched.
1Cor. 15:30 “And why do we stand in
jeopardy every hour?”
YLT: “why also do we stand in peril every hour?”
Literal
Meaning: it indicates that
Christians should often face with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of
faith (see Acts 14:22). If we do not believe the dead will rise in the future
we need not adhere to our faith and oppose to compromise with the world.
1Cor. 15:31 “I affirm
by the boasting
in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord
I die daily.”
YLT: “Every day do I die
by the glorying of you that I have
in Christ Jesus our Lord:”
Literal
Meaning: “I affirm
by the boasting
in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord”
“boast in Christ”
it indicates that all his achievements
are not out of himself
but of Christ. Therefore
he can only boast in Christ
(see Phil. 3:3).
“I die daily”
Paul suffered many persecutions and dangers for the sake of preaching the
gospel (see 2Cor. 11:23-27
32-33).
1Cor. 15:32 “If
in the manner of men
I
have fought with beasts at
YLT: “if after the manner of a man with wild beasts I fought
in
Literal
Meaning: “if
in the manner of men”
“in the manner of men”
the manner like men in the world;
“I have fought with beasts at
“What advantage is it to me”? He faced with the
challenge of death so bravely. But if there was no resurrection of the dead
he
profited nothing.
“If the dead do not rise
"Let us eat and drink
for
tomorrow we die!" If mean does not
rise after death
man shall eat and drink to enjoy life when he lives.
Otherwise
if he dies tomorrow
it will be late
for everything finishes after
death.
Enlightenment
in the Word: since men have no
hope after death
the world live with the attitude of “living for today not
tomorrow”. However
we believers live with a total different attitude for the
sake of the hope of resurrection.
1Cor. 15:33 “Do not be deceived:
"Evil company corrupts good habits."”
YLT: “Be not led astray; evil communications corrupt good
manners;”
Meaning of Words:
Literal
Meaning: “do not be deceived”
Paul often uses this
word to warn others (see 1Cor. 3:18; 6:9; Gal. 6:7).
“"Evil company corrupts good habits."” ---- “Evil company”: evil fellowship; “corrupt”: decay as the wood;
“good habits”: good morality
or “the manner of Christians”.
There were many false teachers in the church
at
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) A common saying goes like this: he that lies
down with dogs must rise up with fleas. We believers should beware of the
objects that we have fellowship with so as not to be entangled by them and that
our testimony will not be destroyed.
2) We believers should love one another in
truth (2John 1-2). If we go forward the love in truth
we may be partakes in
the wicked works of others (2John 9-11).
1Cor. 15:34 “Awake to righteousness
and
do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your
shame.”
YLT: “awake up
as is right
and sin not; for certain have an
ignorance of God; for shame to you I say.”
Literal
Meaning: “awake to righteousness
and
do not sin”
Paul encouraged
believers in
“For some do not have the knowledge of God”
it indicated that those false teachers
had spiritual knowledge apparently and yet did not know God and His will.
“I speak this to your shame”
“your”
that of believers in
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Though all Christians are “alive”
many of
them did not “stay awake”.
2) We should carefully discern between who has
the knowledge of God and who has not. Otherwise
we may be affected
unconsciously by those who have not the knowledge of God and sin against God.
1Cor. 15:35 “But someone will say
"How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?"”
YLT: “But some one will say
`How do the dead rise?”
Literal
Meaning: “but someone will say
"How are the dead raised up”? ---- “Someone” refers to the false teacher
or
refers to the one in the church at
“And with what body do they come?"”
do
they come with the body when they were in the flesh? or with other body?
1Cor. 15:36 “Foolish one
what you sow
is not made alive unless it dies.”
YLT: “unwise! thou -- what thou dost sow is not quickened
except it may die;”
Literal
Meaning: “foolish one”
Paul rebukes them
for their ignorance of truth and spiritual things.
“What you sow”
here Paul explains the resurrection by the well-known phenomenon of growth of
plants (see John 12:24).
“Is not made alive unless it dies”
the seed
fell on the ground and died
and then yielded life. The flesh of us should die
first and become rotten afterwards. And then the new body will be grown.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) All the seeds of life “not
made alive unless it dies” ---- this is the
law in the universe. Likewise
if the spiritual life we have received has not
passed the long-time death
it will not have the risen image of glory. If
indeed we suffer with Christ
we may also be glorified with Him (see Rom.
8:17).
2) If we believers are always delivered unto
death on account of Jesus
the life also of Jesus will be manifested in our
mortal flesh (2Cor. 4:10-11).
1Cor. 15:37 “And what you sow
you do
not sow that body that shall be
but mere grain--perhaps wheat or some other
grain.”
YLT: “and that which thou dost sow
not the body that shall
be dost thou sow
but bare grain
it may be of wheat
or of some one of the
others
”
Literal
Meaning: “and what you sow
you do not
sow that body that shall be”
“body
that shall be”
the body of the
grain after it has sprouted and grown up;
“But mere grain--perhaps wheat or some other grain”
“grain”: the shape of the seed in its raw
condition
e.g. the seed of wheat or some other grain;
1Cor. 15:38 “But God gives it a body as
He pleases
and to each seed its own body.”
YLT: “and God doth give to it a body according as He willed
and to each of the seeds its proper body.”
Literal
Meaning: “but God gives it a body as
He pleases”
the body of the grain is given by God as He
pleases.
“And to each seed its own body”
each seed has its respective body.
Enlightenment
in the Word: God sets that law that every
living creature is “after its kind” (Gen. 1:11-12
21-25). The spiritual life
that we believers have received from the Lord has also the nature of “being after its kind”. This life
makes us not like disorder
but have fellowship with those who have the same
life (see 2Cor. 6:14-18).
1Cor. 15:39 “All flesh is not the same
flesh
but there is one kind of flesh of men
another flesh of animals
another
of fish
and another of birds.”
YLT: “All flesh not the same flesh
but there is one flesh of
men
and another flesh of beasts
and another of fishes
and another of birds;”
Literal
Meaning: “all flesh is not the same
flesh”
it means that all the animals have different
bodies.
“But there is one kind of flesh of men
another flesh of
animals
another of fish
and another of birds.” The bodies of men
and of animals
and of fish
and of birds are different.
1Cor. 15:40 “There are also celestial
bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one
and the
glory of the terrestrial is another.”
YLT: “and heavenly bodies
and earthly bodies; but one the
glory of the heavenly
and another that of the earthly;”
Literal
Meaning: “there are also celestial
bodies and terrestrial bodies”
“celestial
bodies” refer to the stars
in the heavens;
“terrestrial bodies” refer to the bodies of animals
vegetation and
minerals.
“But the glory of the celestial is one
and the glory of
the terrestrial is another”
“the glory of the celestial”
all the celestial bodies (including the
reflected celestial body
e.g. the moon) shine day and night; “the
glory of the terrestrial is another”
everything on the earth has its value and manifests its glory from its function
and appearance.
Enlightenment
in the Word: our God does not
like monopoly. The terrestrial bodies He created like trees and flowers have
their glory respectively
so do all the celestial bodies like the sun and the
moon and the stars. These are images of the risen bodies. Since God can give
such beautiful bodies to the old creature
He can also give those who shall be
raised more wonderful and glorious bodies.
1Cor. 15:41 “There is one glory of the
sun
another glory of the moon
and another glory of the stars; for one star
differs from another star in glory.”
YLT: “one glory of sun
and another glory of moon
and
another glory of stars
for star from star doth differ in glory.”
Literal
Meaning: the intensity of
the light of all the celestial bodies in the heaven such as the sun and the
moon and the stars is different. Even it is different among all the stars.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) It is not monotonously the same in the
eternal age in the future
but that everyone has his glory respectively ---- “there is one glory of the
sun
another glory of the moon
and another glory of the stars; for one star
differs from another star in glory.”
Thus the fullness of the glory of Christ is manifested. Therefore
various
differences should be allowed to exist in harmony today in the church so that
the fullness of Christ shall be manifested. If everyone is made mechanically
the same by man’s hands
the principle of God’s eternal work has been
disobeyed.
2) Every light has its glory and differs in
intensity. Every believer is the light in the world (Matt. 5:14) and even the
youngest brother can bear witness to the Lord
though the degree of the light
is different.
1Cor. 15:42 “So also is the resurrection
of the dead. The body is sown in corruption
it is raised in incorruption.”
YLT: “So also he rising again of the dead: it is sown in
corruption
it is raised in incorruption;”
Literal
Meaning: “so also is the resurrection
of the dead”
it answers the
question of verse 35.
“The body is sown in corruption
it is raised in
incorruption.” ---- “Sown” refers
to death; “corruption”: physical bodies will be corrupted (see
2Cor. 4:16). “Incorruption”: the risen body will live forever.
1Cor. 15:43 “It is sown in dishonor
it
is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness
it is raised in power.”
YLT: “it is sown in dishonour
it is raised in glory; it is
sown in weakness
it is raised in power;”
Literal
Meaning: “it is sown in dishonor
it
is raised in glory”. “Dishonor”: man’s fleshly body carries sins and the
shameful conduct of sins is often exposed therein. Therefore
“nakedness” is
counted as a sign of shame in the Scriptures (see Gen. 3:25). “Glory”
it
indicates that the risen body will be transformed into conformity to the body
of the Son of God of glory (Phil. 3:21).
“It is sown in weakness
it
is raised in power.” “Weakness”
man’s
physical bodies can be ill
hungry or be bound by sin
and man may often feel
strengthless
so it is sown in weakness. “In power”
the risen body can not be infected or entangled
by anything
so it is raised in power.
Enlightenment
in the Word: Lazarus was raised
but it was not the glorious resurrection
and he still died. When he was
raised
he was still in a dead manner ---- bound feet and hands with grave-clothes
and his face was bound round with a handkerchief. He was still called “the
dead” in the Scriptures: “the dead came forth” (John 11:44). The resurrection
of us in the future is a better as well as glorious resurrection. Our body will
be transformed into the body as
glorious as the Lord.
1Cor. 15:44 “It is sown a natural body
it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body
and there is a
spiritual body.”
YLT: “it is sown a natural body
it is raised a spiritual
body; there is a natural body
and there is a spiritual body;”
Literal
Meaning: “it is sown a natural body”
“natural”: that is of soul; “spiritual”: that is of spirit;
1Cor. 15:45 “And so it is written
"The first man Adam became a living being." The last Adam became a
life-giving spirit.”
YLT: “so also it hath been written
`The first man Adam
became a living creature
' the last Adam for a life-giving spirit
”
Literal
Meaning: “and so it is written”
the following
scriptures are quoted from the Book of Genesis (Gen. 2:7).
“The last Adam became a life-giving
spirit.” “The last Adam” refers to Jesus Christ; “a life-giving spirit” refers to the Spirit. Here
it clearly
tells us that the Lord Jesus has become the life-giving spirit after
resurrection as well as another Comforter
namely
the spirit of truth. He
comes to be with us and abide in us (see John 14:16-20).
1Cor. 15:46 “However
the spiritual is
not first
but the natural
and afterward the spiritual.”
YLT: “but that which is spiritual not first
but that which
natural
afterwards that which spiritual.”
Literal
Meaning: “however
the spiritual is
not first”
the principle in the Scriptures is that many first shall be last
and last first (Matt. 19:30; 20:16).
“But the natural
and
afterward the spiritual”
the first is natural and the second is spiritual. God
often elects the second one
e.g. He chose Abel instead of Cain (Gen. 4:4-5)
Ishmael instead of Isaac (Gen. 17:18-19)
Jacob instead of Esau (Gen. 25:23).
1Cor. 15:47 “The first man was of the
earth
1made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.”
YLT: “The first man out of the earth
earthy; the second man
the Lord out of heaven;”
Literal
Meaning: “the first man was of the
earth
1made of dust”
“the first man” refers to Adam
who was made by God with
dust on the earth (Gen. 2:7)
so the first man was of earth as well as of dust.
“The second Man is the Lord from heaven.” “The second Man” is Christ
who came down out of
heaven and is in heaven (John 3:13)
so He is from heaven.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Here
it is written
the first one was of the earth
and the second Man is from heaven. The first is natural and the second is spiritual.
The most amazing thing in the Scriptures is that God often chooses the second
one (see Gen. 17:18-19; 25:23; Rom. 9:12-13; Gen. 48:18-19; 1Sam. 8:5; 16:1;
2Sam. 12:14
24-25). Why? Literally speaking
this chapter talks about the
resurrection of body. However
according to spiritual principles
it tells us
that all that is spiritual is afterward
and all that is fleshly is first. This
is why God chooses the second one and refuses the first one. And God refuses
the first one
but accepts the second one
for the natural one is first and the
second one can not be born from man’s natural body but from the Spirit (John
3:6). Here
we have the “second principle” or “the second law”.
2) Christ is “last Adam” (v.44)
which shows
that He finishes all the race of Adam. Christ is “second Man”
which indicates
that He starts a new race. All that is in Christ is also ended in the last Adam
and can also live before God in the second Man. Hallelujah! Christ is the
turning point of all human beings.
1Cor. 15:48 “As was the man of dust
so
also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man
so also are
those who are heavenly.”
YLT: “as the earthy
such also the earthy; and as the
heavenly
such also the heavenly;”
Literal
Meaning: “as was the man of dust
so
also are those who are made of dust”
it points that how Adam sinned and fell into the dust
all those who are in the
flesh will also be dead in sins and transgressions before God and be into the
dust in the end.
“And as is the heavenly Man
so also are those who are
heavenly.” It means that how
Christ pleases God (Matt. 3:17; 17:5) and died and ascended into the heaven and
was glorified (Eph. 1:20)
all those who are of Him will also be manifested in
glory with Him (Col. 3:4).
Enlightenment
in the Word: Adam was created by
God with dust (Gen. 2:7). How we were sinful and would be dead as Adam in the
past
we will also rise and enter into glory like Christ since we have already
been of Christ.
1Cor. 15:49 “And as we have borne the
image of the man of dust
we shall also bear the image of the heavenly
YLT: “and
according as we did bear the image of the earthy
we shall bear also the image of the heavenly.”
Literal
Meaning: “and as we have borne the
image of the man of dust”
we have inherited the image of the dust from the
life of Adam.
“We shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man”
we will also inherit the heavenly image
from the life of Christ.
1Cor. 15:50 “Now this I say
brethren
that flesh and blood cannot inherit the
YLT: “And this I say
brethren
that flesh and blood the
reign of God is not able to inherit
nor doth the corruption inherit the
incorruption;”
Literal
Meaning: “now this I say
brethren
that flesh and blood cannot inherit the
“Nor does corruption inherit incorruption”
the inheritance reserved in heavens for us is incorruptible and undefiled and
unfading (1Pet. 1:4)
which should be inherited in the incorruptible body ----
the risen body.
1Cor. 15:51 “Behold
I tell you a
mystery: We shall not all sleep
but we shall all be changed--”
YLT: “lo
I tell you a secret; we indeed shall not all sleep
and we all shall be changed;”
Literal
Meaning: “we shall not all sleep”
it means that not
all of us will die
for when the Lord comes again
some believers will be
raised when they live (1Thess. 4:17).
“But we shall all be changed--”
when the Lord comes again
no matter those who
have fallen asleep or who still live
all of them should be transformed.
1Cor. 15:52 “in a moment
in the
twinkling of an eye
at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound
and the
dead will be raised incorruptible
and we shall be changed.”
YLT: “in a moment
in the twinkling of an eye
in the last
trumpet
for it shall sound
and the dead shall be raised incorruptible
and we
-- we shall be changed:”
Literal
Meaning: “in a moment
in the
twinkling of an eye”
the transformation of our body is transient
but
gradual.
“At the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound”
when the Lord comes
again
the trumpet of God will sound (1Thess. 4:16; Matt. 24:31).
“And the dead will be raised incorruptible
and we shall be
changed”
it indicates that
the transformation of body and the resurrection happen at one time.
Enlightenment
in the Word: the rapture does
not happen suddenly
but gradually. Here
the transformation in the twinkling of an eye speaks of the resurrection of body instead
of life. The rapture is not flying individually
but walking with the Lord. The
experiences of a Christian in the Lord have their interrelationship: die
live
and be taken. We will enter into glory step by step. Many times
we can not
obey in a certain thing. However
if we die one more time
we will be filled
with the Lord’s life one more time and the further we will be raised.
1Cor. 15:53 “For this corruptible must
put on incorruption
and this mortal must put on immortality.”
YLT: “for it behoveth this corruptible to put on
incorruption
and this mortal to put on immortality;”
Literal
Meaning: “for this corruptible must
put on incorruption”
the risen man will bring a spiritual body. God
gives believers who still live spiritual bodies and they will be changed
immediately after putting on them.
1Cor. 15:54 “So when this corruptible
has put on incorruption
and this mortal has put on immortality
then shall be
brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in
victory."”
YLT: “and when this corruptible may have put on incorruption
and this mortal may have put on immortality
then shall be brought to pass the
word that hath been written
`The Death was swallowed up -- to victory;”
Literal
Meaning: “the saying that is written”
the following words are quoted from the
Book of Isaiah (25:8) according to the meaning.
“Then shall be brought to pass: "Death is swallowed up
in victory."” “Victory” refers
to the victory of the redemption of Christ. That is to say
the salvation of
the cross will overcome death. This prophecy will be fully fulfilled when the
Lord comes again and believers are raised up.
1Cor. 15:55 “"O Death
where is
your sting? O Hades
where is your victory?"”
YLT: “where
O Death
thy sting? where
O Hades
thy
victory?'”
Literal
Meaning: “o death”: the invisible world;
“Where is your sting? O
Hades
where is your victory?"”
---- This is a declaration of the triumph against death.
Enlightenment
in the Word: what we are waiting
for is not death
but that morning ---- the risen morning.
1Cor. 15:56 “The sting of death is sin
and the strength of sin is the law.”
YLT: “and the sting of the death the sin
and the power of
the sin the law;”
Literal
Meaning: “the sting of death is sin”
death damages men in
the world through sins. Therefore
sin is the sting of death.
“And the strength of sin is the law”
sin
activates man’s lusts by the law to sin (see Rom. 7:8) and then condemns those
who have disobeyed the law (1John 3:4) and kills men through the law (Rom.
7:11). Therefore
the strength of sin is the law.
1Cor. 15:57 “But thanks be to God
who
gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
YLT: “and to God -- thanks
to Him who is giving us the
victory through our Lord Jesus Christ;”
Literal
Meaning: victory is a gift
given to us by God. The victory to us is obtained freely
not earned by our
labor. We have a terribly false opinion: we think we are saved by the free
salvation
but overcome through ourselves.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Sin stings man into death through the
strength of the law (v.56). However
praise the Lord! The risen Christ
destroyed all of them. Therefore
how foolish that if we still live under the
law and are stung into death by sin. If we live in the risen Christ
we can
joyfully boast: “thanks
be to God
who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”.
2) The previous two verses (v.55-56) mention
sin
and the law and death. And here
God gives us the victory. We can not only
overcome sin but also the law; not only the law but also death. Here
there is
a gospel: God gives the victory to each of us.
1Cor. 15:58 “Therefore
my beloved
brethren
be steadfast
immovable
always abounding in the work of the Lord
knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
YLT: “so that
my brethren beloved
become ye stedfast
unmovable
abounding in the work of the Lord at all times
knowing that your
labour is not vain in the Lord.”
Literal
Meaning: “therefore
my beloved
brethren”
“therefore”
there are two reasons: 1) the Lord has
risen for us; 2) we have the
assured hope of resurrection and
transformation of our bodies.
“Be steadfast
immovable”
1) since Christ has risen
we should be
steadfast in faith and be immovable and not accept the heresy holding the dead
do not rise; 2) if we have full hope for the future
we should be steadfast and
be immovable and not lose zeal and love.
“Always abounding in the work of the Lord
knowing that
your labor is not in vain in the Lord”
since we know that the Lord remembers our labor for Him today
we should seize
the opportunity and abound in the work of the Lord
for the works follow with
us (Rev. 14:13) and we will be rewarded by the Lord.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The encouragements of Paul to brothers and
sisters are focused on two points: a) “be steadfast and immovable
in the Lord”; b) “always
abound in the work of the Lord”; these are two things of eternal value.
2) “Therefore … be
steadfast … always abounding in the
work of the Lord … not in vain”
the word “therefore” shows that we can be
steadfast and immovable and not labor in vain by the risen Christ only. Christ
makes us be stand firmly. And He is the value of our labor.
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lesson
The Knowledge of the
Resurrection
A. The resurrection of the Lord is the
generally acknowledged faith of the church (v.1-11).
B. If there was no resurrection
the Lord might
have not risen
and there would be dire consequences (v.12-19).
C. Since the Lord has been indeed raised
we
will surely be raised (v.20-28).
D. Since we will rise
we do not dare death
(v.29-34).
E. The risen ones are better (v.35-37);
F. We should labor for the Lord
for we have
hope (v.58).
The Relation of the Resurrection of Christ
with Christians
A. The resurrection of Christ is the center of
our preachment (v.12
14a).
B. The resurrection of Christ is the center of
our faith (v.14b
17a).
C. The resurrection of Christ is the center of
our testimony (v.15).
D. The resurrection of Christ delivers us from
sin (v.17b).
E. The resurrection of Christ gives us hope in
the coming age (v.19).
F. The resurrection of Christ is the
significance of our life (v.32).
G. The resurrection of Christ is the motive of
our service (v.58).
The Comparisons between the Bodies of
Christians at Present and the Risen Bodies in the Future
A. Corruption ---- in incorruption (v.42);
B. In dishonor
---- in glory (v.43a);
C. In weakness
---- in power (v.43b);
D. Natural ---- spiritual (v.44);
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou