The One Year Bible Club with Teaching Commentary
by Nick Boork
August 24
1 Corinthians 15:29-58
by Nick Boork
August 24
1 Corinthians 15:29-58
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August 24 ~1 Corinthians 15:29-58
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? 30 And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour? 31 I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32 If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” 33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. 35 But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?” 36 Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. 37 And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain—perhaps wheat or some other grain. 38 But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body. 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. 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. 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.
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, 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 became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. 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. 49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell 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 trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will 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 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.” 55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 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.
OKAY, HERE’S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
Be careful about the friends you hang around with. Those that denied the resurrection were living like there was no tomorrow fulfilling all their sinful desires saying “Eat, drink for tomorrow we die.” That’s how some live today. Like there is no resurrection because if there is no resurrection then there is no judgement either so hey, live it up to the max right? Wrong! Paul warns the believers no to be influenced by those that do not believe in the resurrection. The Bible teaches us in Hebrews 11:24-26 “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.”
So Moses came to the realization that he was really not an Egyptian but a Hebrew and decided to live his life dedicated to fulfill God’s purpose. Likewise, Christians today need to choose to accept and embrace their identity in Christ and like Moses not live in the passing pleasures of sin because there is a great reward for our faithfulness living for and serving the Lord. This is also why Paul told Timothy to beware of a couple of guys that were teaching that the resurrection had already happened. 2 Timothy 2:17-19 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
Here Paul teaches that if we confess to know the Lord as believers we will depart from iniquity or in other words if you’re a real Christian you’re not going to live an immoral sinful lifestyle. As believers in Christ we have the hope of eternal life and the Bible teaches us that whoever has this hope purifies himself just as Christ is pure. To me this makes total sense because the Bible teaches us the God is holy and we his people are going to heaven which is a holy place. People that deny the resurrection have no incentive to live right. They just live according to their own philosophy and their values can rub off others just as Jesus said Christians are the light of the world and the salt of the earth.
Now Paul clarifies the kind of body we will have in the afterlife. He helps us to understand how we can have a glorified body through the resurrection by comparing the types of bodies that exist now like plants, animals, fish and even the heavenly bodies of stars. He points out that just like a seed is really the outward casing containing the life of a plant so we also are incased in this body of flesh. Just like the seed apparently dies and is buried in the earth but rises to become a plant we also are sown in our temporary earthly body in death but will rise in the resurrection with a glorified body! It’s for this reason also that Paul says there is a natural body and there is a spiritual body.
The natural is first because we all come from Adam the man of the earth. The spiritual is second because Jesus became the second Adam. Jesus resurrection revealed the life giving power of the Holy Spirit to make a live and transform the natural body into a glorified spiritual body just like Christ had after he arose from the dead. This is why Paul says in Romans 8:11 “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
The resurrection happens when the last trumpet is sounded at which time the dead will rise and all believers that are alive on earth will be instantaneously transformed from a body of flesh to an eternal glorified body at the return of Christ! Our final enemy, death, will be completely defeated at the resurrection. Our redemption will be complete on that day. No more suffering, pain, oppression, persecution, hardships and all earthly pain will pass away forever. Death will be swallowed up in the victory of Jesus Christ! This is our hope and the reason we are to keep going strong serving the Lord. Paul ends his valedictorian speech with a four point action plan saying:
WHAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE?
1) We need to be cautious about our associations because if we hang around people that do not believe in the resurrection their attitude and habits can influence us to go along with them living to please ourselves.
2) We are all related to Adam who brought death and Christ who brings eternal life.
3) The body we have now in the flesh will rise again at the last trumpet
4) Our living hope, Jesus Christ, should be our focus because we are all passing through this temporal life to the eternal Kingdom of God.
5) Only what we do for Christ will last. Everything else in this life will pass away and the Lord will reward each of us according to how we served him on earth so be faithful and your reward will be great!
PRAYER TO APPLY THE WORD OF GOD TO OUR LIVES
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? 30 And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour? 31 I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32 If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” 33 Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. 35 But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?” 36 Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. 37 And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain—perhaps wheat or some other grain. 38 But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body. 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. 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. 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.
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, 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 became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. 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. 49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell 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 trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will 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 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.” 55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 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.
OKAY, HERE’S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
Be careful about the friends you hang around with. Those that denied the resurrection were living like there was no tomorrow fulfilling all their sinful desires saying “Eat, drink for tomorrow we die.” That’s how some live today. Like there is no resurrection because if there is no resurrection then there is no judgement either so hey, live it up to the max right? Wrong! Paul warns the believers no to be influenced by those that do not believe in the resurrection. The Bible teaches us in Hebrews 11:24-26 “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.”
So Moses came to the realization that he was really not an Egyptian but a Hebrew and decided to live his life dedicated to fulfill God’s purpose. Likewise, Christians today need to choose to accept and embrace their identity in Christ and like Moses not live in the passing pleasures of sin because there is a great reward for our faithfulness living for and serving the Lord. This is also why Paul told Timothy to beware of a couple of guys that were teaching that the resurrection had already happened. 2 Timothy 2:17-19 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
Here Paul teaches that if we confess to know the Lord as believers we will depart from iniquity or in other words if you’re a real Christian you’re not going to live an immoral sinful lifestyle. As believers in Christ we have the hope of eternal life and the Bible teaches us that whoever has this hope purifies himself just as Christ is pure. To me this makes total sense because the Bible teaches us the God is holy and we his people are going to heaven which is a holy place. People that deny the resurrection have no incentive to live right. They just live according to their own philosophy and their values can rub off others just as Jesus said Christians are the light of the world and the salt of the earth.
Now Paul clarifies the kind of body we will have in the afterlife. He helps us to understand how we can have a glorified body through the resurrection by comparing the types of bodies that exist now like plants, animals, fish and even the heavenly bodies of stars. He points out that just like a seed is really the outward casing containing the life of a plant so we also are incased in this body of flesh. Just like the seed apparently dies and is buried in the earth but rises to become a plant we also are sown in our temporary earthly body in death but will rise in the resurrection with a glorified body! It’s for this reason also that Paul says there is a natural body and there is a spiritual body.
The natural is first because we all come from Adam the man of the earth. The spiritual is second because Jesus became the second Adam. Jesus resurrection revealed the life giving power of the Holy Spirit to make a live and transform the natural body into a glorified spiritual body just like Christ had after he arose from the dead. This is why Paul says in Romans 8:11 “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
The resurrection happens when the last trumpet is sounded at which time the dead will rise and all believers that are alive on earth will be instantaneously transformed from a body of flesh to an eternal glorified body at the return of Christ! Our final enemy, death, will be completely defeated at the resurrection. Our redemption will be complete on that day. No more suffering, pain, oppression, persecution, hardships and all earthly pain will pass away forever. Death will be swallowed up in the victory of Jesus Christ! This is our hope and the reason we are to keep going strong serving the Lord. Paul ends his valedictorian speech with a four point action plan saying:
- Be steadfast – Keep going and don’t stop walking with the Lord.
- Immovable – Never be moved from your faith in Christ.
- Always abounding in the work of the Lord – Be faithful serving God.
- Your labor is not in vain in the Lord – You will be rewarded for your service to Jesus.
WHAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE?
1) We need to be cautious about our associations because if we hang around people that do not believe in the resurrection their attitude and habits can influence us to go along with them living to please ourselves.
2) We are all related to Adam who brought death and Christ who brings eternal life.
3) The body we have now in the flesh will rise again at the last trumpet
4) Our living hope, Jesus Christ, should be our focus because we are all passing through this temporal life to the eternal Kingdom of God.
5) Only what we do for Christ will last. Everything else in this life will pass away and the Lord will reward each of us according to how we served him on earth so be faithful and your reward will be great!
PRAYER TO APPLY THE WORD OF GOD TO OUR LIVES
ORDINATION
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association. Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association. Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll
