OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
SUMMARY (Adapted from Dextor Sammons)
In this chapter Paul deals with problems the Corinthians were having concerning the resurrection of the dead. Evidently there were teachers at Corinth claiming there would be no resurrection. Paul answers this false doctrine by reminding them of the gospel which they received and which proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus from the dead (1-11). He then proceeds to verify the resurrection with several different lines of argumentation (12-34). The last half of the chapter is devoted to answering anticipated questions concerning how the dead will be raised and with what body will they come (35-58).
- To see how the resurrection of Jesus is the basis of our faith.
- To determine why we believe that Jesus was indeed raised from the dead.
- To notice the sequence of events which will occur at the end of time as presented in this chapter.
- To understand what is revealed about our own future resurrection from the dead.
SUMMARY (Adapted from Dextor Sammons)
In this chapter Paul deals with problems the Corinthians were having concerning the resurrection of the dead. Evidently there were teachers at Corinth claiming there would be no resurrection. Paul answers this false doctrine by reminding them of the gospel which they received and which proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus from the dead (1-11). He then proceeds to verify the resurrection with several different lines of argumentation (12-34). The last half of the chapter is devoted to answering anticipated questions concerning how the dead will be raised and with what body will they come (35-58).
1 Corinthians 15 Audio |
MAIN POINTS
I. THE RESURRECTION: PROCLAIMED IN THE GOSPEL (1-11)
A. THE GOSPEL IN RELATION TO THE CORINTHIANS (1-2)
B. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GOSPEL (3-8)
I. THE RESURRECTION: PROCLAIMED IN THE GOSPEL (1-11)
A. THE GOSPEL IN RELATION TO THE CORINTHIANS (1-2)
- Paul proclaimed it and they received it (1)
- By it they are saved, if they hold fast to it (2)
B. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GOSPEL (3-8)
- Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures (3)
- He was buried and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures (4)
- He was seen by many eyewitnesses (5-7)
- He was seen by Paul himself, who by the grace of God was able to preach the gospel (8-10)
- Such was the gospel preached, and the Corinthians had believed it (11)
II. THE RESURRECTION: VERIFIED BY THE APOSTLE PAUL (12-34)
A. CONSEQUENCES IF THERE IS NO RESURRECTION (12-19)
B. CHRIST'S RESURRECTION AND OUR RESURRECTION (20-28)
b. This will be the end, when Christ delivers the kingdom to God (24-28)
C. ADDITIONAL ARGUMENTS FOR THE RESURRECTION, WITH A WARNING (29-34)
A. CONSEQUENCES IF THERE IS NO RESURRECTION (12-19)
- Christ is not risen from the dead (12-13)
- The apostles' preaching and the Corinthians' faith is vain (14)
- The apostles are false witnesses (15-16)
- They are still in their sins (17)
- Those who have died in Christ have perished (18)
- Those who hope in Christ are the most pitiable of all men (19)
B. CHRIST'S RESURRECTION AND OUR RESURRECTION (20-28)
- Christ is the "firstfruits" (20)
- As in Adam all die, so in Christ all shall be made alive (21-22)
- A brief description as to when this will occur (23-28)
b. This will be the end, when Christ delivers the kingdom to God (24-28)
- When He has put an end to all rule, authority and power (24)
- For Christ must reign till God has put all enemies under His feet (25)
- The last enemy being death itself (26)
- When all is made subject to Christ, the Son will also be subject to Him Who put all things under Him (27-28)
C. ADDITIONAL ARGUMENTS FOR THE RESURRECTION, WITH A WARNING (29-34)
- Why are some being baptized for the dead if there is no resurrection? (29)
- Why do the apostles and others suffer harsh persecution if there is no resurrection? (30-32)
- Beware of evil influence and those who do not have the knowledge of God (33-34)
III. THE RESURRECTION: DESCRIBED BY PAUL (35-58)
A. IN ANSWER TO THE QUESTION: "WITH WHAT BODY DO THEY COME?" (35-49)
b. The natural body, patterned after the first Adam, will be raised a spiritual body patterned after the Last Adam (44-46)
c. Those who have borne the image of the man of dust from the earth, will one day bear the image of the Man of heaven (47-49)
B. IN ANSWER TO THE QUESTION: "HOW ARE THE DEAD RAISED UP" (50-58)
b. It will occur in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet (52)
c. The corruptible, mortal man will put on incorruption and immortality, and we will be victorious over death through Jesus Christ our Lord (53-57)
A. IN ANSWER TO THE QUESTION: "WITH WHAT BODY DO THEY COME?" (35-49)
- It will be different from the one sown, just as the plant is different from the seed (35-38)
- Illustrations of the different types of bodies in the physical world (39-41)
- Thus the resurrected body will be different from the physical body, though it is the same as the one sown (42-49)
b. The natural body, patterned after the first Adam, will be raised a spiritual body patterned after the Last Adam (44-46)
c. Those who have borne the image of the man of dust from the earth, will one day bear the image of the Man of heaven (47-49)
B. IN ANSWER TO THE QUESTION: "HOW ARE THE DEAD RAISED UP" (50-58)
- Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does corruption inherit incorruption (50)
- The mystery of the resurrection as revealed by Paul (51-57)
b. It will occur in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet (52)
c. The corruptible, mortal man will put on incorruption and immortality, and we will be victorious over death through Jesus Christ our Lord (53-57)
- A final exhortation to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (58)
