This important and deeply interesting chapter, I have spoken of as the “third” part of the Epistle. See the introduction. It is more important than any other portion of the Epistle, as it contains a connected, and labored, and unanswerable argument for the main truth of Christianity, and, consequent... [ Continue Reading ]
MOREOVER - But (δὲ de). In addition to what I have said, or in that which I am now about to say, I make known the main and leading truth of the gospel. The particle δὲ de is “strictly adversative, but more frequently denotes transition and conversion, and serves to introduce something else, whethe... [ Continue Reading ]
BY WHICH ALSO YE ARE SAVED - On which your salvation depends; the belief of which is indispensable to your salvation; see the note on Mark 16:16. The apostle thus shows the “importance” of the doctrine. In every respect it demanded their attention. It was that which was first preached among them; th... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I DELIVERED UNTO YOU - See the note at 1 Corinthians 11:23. “First of all.” Among the first doctrines which I preached. As the leading and primary doctrines of Christianity. THAT WHICH I ALSO RECEIVED - Which had been communicated to me. Not doctrines of which I was the author, or which were to... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THAT HE WAS BURIED - That is, evidently according to the Scriptures; see Isaiah 53:9. AND THAT HE ROSE AGAIN THE THIRD DAY ... - That is, that he should rise from the dead was foretold in the Scriptures. It is not of necessity implied that it was predicted that he should rise “on the third day,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THAT HE WAS SEEN OF CEPHAS - Peter; See the note at John 1:42. The resurrection of Christ was A fact to be proved, like all other facts, by competent and credible witnesses. Paul, therefore, appeals to the witnesses who had attested, or who yet lived to attest, the truth of the resurrection of t... [ Continue Reading ]
ABOVE FIVE HUNDRED BRETHREN AT ONCE - More than 500 Christians or followers of Jesus at one time. This was probably in Galilee, where the Lord Jesus had spent the greater part of his public ministry, and where he had made most disciples. The place, however, is not designated, and, of course, cannot... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER THAT, HE WAS SEEN OF JAMES - This appearance is not recorded by the evangelists. It is mentioned in the fragment of the apocryphal Gospel according to the Hebrews, which is, however, of no authority. It is probable that the Lord Jesus appeared often to the disciples, since he was 40 days on ea... [ Continue Reading ]
AND LAST OF ALL - After all the other times in which he appeared to people; after he had ascended to heaven. This passage proves that the apostle Paul saw the same Lord Jesus, the same “body” which had been seen by the others, or else his assertion would be no proof that he was risen from the dead.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR - A reason for the appellation which he had given to himself in 1 Corinthians 15:8. I AM THE LEAST OF THE APOSTLES - Not on account of any defect in his commission, or any lack of qualification to bear witness in what he saw, but on account of the great crime of his life, the fact that he had b... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT BY THE GRACE OF GOD I AM WHAT I AM - By the “favor” or mercy of God. What I have is to be traced to him, and not to any native tendency to goodness, or any native inclination to his service, or to any merit of my own. All my hopes of heaven; all my zeal; all my success; all my piety; all my apos... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE, WHETHER IT WERE I OR THEY - I or the other apostles. It is comparatively immaterial by whom it was done. The establishment of the truth is the great matter; and the question by whom it is done is one of secondary importance. SO WE PREACH - So we all preach. We all defend the same great d... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW IF CHRIST ... - Paul, having 1 Corinthians 15:1 stated the direct evidence for the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, proceeds here to demonstrate that the dead would rise, by showing how it followed from the fact that the Lord Jesus had risen, and by showing what consequences would follow from den... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF THERE BE NO RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD - If the whole subject is held to be impossible and absurd, then it must follow that Christ is not “risen,” since there were the same difficulties in the way of raising him up which will exist in any case. He was dead and was buried. He had lain in the gra... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IF CHRIST IS NOT RISEN, THEN IS OUR PREACHING VAIN - Another consequence which must follow if it be held that there was no resurrection, and consequently that Christ was not risen. it would be vain and useless to preach. The substance of their preaching was that Christ was raised up; and all the... [ Continue Reading ]
YEA, AND WE ARE FOUND - We are; or we shall be proved to be. It will follow, if the Lord Jesus was not raised up, that we have been false witnesses. OF GOD - Respecting God. It will be found that we have affirmed that which is not true of God; or have said that he has done that which he has not don... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IF THE DEAD RISE NOT ... - This is a repetition of what is said in 1 Corinthians 15:13. It is repeated here, evidently, because of its importance. It was a great and momentous truth which would “bear” repetition, that if there was no resurrection, as some held, then it would follow that the Lord... [ Continue Reading ]
YOUR FAITH IS VAIN, - 1 Corinthians 15:14. The meaning of this passage here is, that their faith was vain, “because,” if Christ was not raised up, they were yet unpardoned sinners. The pardon of sin was connected with the belief of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and, if he was not raised, they... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THEY ALSO ... - This verse contains a statement of another consequence which must follow from the denial of the resurrection - that all Christians who had died had failed of salvation, and were destroyed. WHICH ARE FALLEN ASLEEP IN CHRIST - Which have died as Christians; 1 Corinthians 15:6 not... [ Continue Reading ]
IF IN THIS LIFE ONLY WE HAVE HOPE IN CHRIST - If our hope in Christ shall not be followed by the resurrection of the dead and future glory, and if all our hopes shall be disappointed. WE ARE ... - Doddridge, Macknight, Grotius, and some others, suppose that this refers to the apostles only, and that... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT NOW IS CHRIST RISEN ... - This language is the bursting forth of a full heart and of overpowering conviction. It would seem as if Paul were impatient of the slow process of argument; weary of meeting objections, and of stating the consequences of a denial of the doctrine; and longing to give utt... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR SINCE BY MAN CAME DEATH - By Adam, or by means of his transgression; see 1 Corinthians 15:22. The sense is, evidently, that in consequence of the sin of Adam all people die, or are subjected to temporal death. Or, in other words, man would not have died had it not been for the crime of the first... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR AS IN ADAM - (ἐν τῳ Ἀδαμ en tō Adam). By Adam; by the act, or by means of Adam; as a consequence of his act. His deed was the procuring cause, or the reason, why all are subjected to temporal death; see Genesis 3:19. It does not mean that all people became actually dead when he sinned, for t... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT EVERY MAN - Everyone, including Christ as well as others. IN HIS OWN ORDER - In his proper order, rank, place, time. The word τάγμα tagma usually relates to military order or array; to the arrangement of a cohort, or band of troops; to their being properly marshalled with the officers at the he... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN COMETH THE END - Then is the end; or then “is” the consummation. It does not mean that the end, or consummation is to “follow” that event; but that this “will” be the ending, the winding up, the consummation of the affairs under the mediatorial reign of Christ. The word “end” (τέλος telos) den... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE MUST REIGN - It is fit, or proper (δει dei), that he should reign until this is accomplished. It is proper that the mediatorial kingdom should continue till this great work is effected. The word “must” here refers to the propriety of this continuance of his reign, and to the fact that this wa... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LAST ENEMY THAT SHALL BE DESTROYED IS DEATH - The other foes of God should be subdued “before” the final resurrection. The enmity of the human heart should be subdued by the triumphs of the gospel. The scepter of Satan should be broken and wrested from him. The false systems of religion that had... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE HATH PUT - God has put by promise, purpose, or decree. ALL THINGS UNDER HIS FEET - He has made all things subject to him; or has appointed him to be head over all things; compare Matthew 28:18; John 17:2; Ephesians 1:20. It is evident that Paul here refers to some promise or prediction respec... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN ... - In this future time, when this shall be accomplished. This implies that the time has not yet arrived, and that his dominion is now exercised, and that he is carrying forward his plans for the subjugation of all things to God. SHALL BE SUBDUED UNTO HIM - Shall be brought under subject... [ Continue Reading ]
ELSE WHAT SHALL THEY DO ... - The apostle here resumes the argument for the resurrection which was interrupted at 1 Corinthians 15:19. He goes on to state further consequences which must follow from the denial of this doctrine, and thence infers that the doctrine must be true. There is, perhaps, no... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHY STAND WE IN JEOPARDY - Why do we constantly risk our lives, and encounter danger of every kind? This refers particularly to Paul himself and the other apostles, who were constantly exposed to peril by land or by sea in the arduous work of making known the gospel. The argument here is plain.... [ Continue Reading ]
I PROTEST - (νὴ nē). This is a particle of swearing, and denotes a strong asseveration. The subject was important; it deeply interested his feelings; and he makes in regard to it a strong protestation; compare John 3:5. “I solemnly affirm, or declare.” BY YOUR REJOICING - Many manuscripts here rea... [ Continue Reading ]
IF AFTER THE MANNER OF MEN - Margin, “To speak after the manner of men” (κατὰ ἄνθρωπον kata anthrōpon). There has been a great difference of opinion in regard to the meaning of these words. The following are some of the interpretations proposed: (1) If I have fought after the manner of people,... [ Continue Reading ]
BE NOT DECEIVED - By your false teachers, and by their smooth and plausible arguments. This is an exhortation. He had thus far been engaged in an argument on the subject. He now entreats them to beware lest they be deceived - a danger to which they were very liable from their circumstances. There wa... [ Continue Reading ]
AWAKE TO RIGHTEOUSNESS - See the note on Romans 13:11. The word here translated “awake” denotes, properly, to awake up from a deep sleep or torpor; and is usually applied to those who awake, or become sober after drunkenness. The phrase “to righteousness” (δικαίως dikaiōs) may mean either “rouse t... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT SOME MAN WILL SAY - An objection will be made to the statement that the dead will be raised. This verse commences the second part of the chapter, in which the apostle meets the objections to the argument. and shows in what manner the dead will be raised. See the Analysis. That objections were ma... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU FOOL - Foolish, inconsiderate man! The meaning is, that it was foolish to make this objection, when the same difficulty existed in an undeniable fact which fell under daily observation. A man was a fool to urge that as an objection to religion which must exist in the undeniable and everyday fac... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THAT WHICH THOU SOWEST - The seed which is sown. NOT THAT BODY THAT SHALL BE - You sow one kernel which is to produce many others. They shall not be the same that is sown. They will be new kernels raised from that; of the same kind, indeed, and showing their intimate and necessary connection wit... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT GOD GIVETH IT A BODY ... - God gives to the seed sown its own proper body, formation, and growth. The word body here, as applied to grain, seems to mean the whole system, or arrangement of roots, stalks, leaves, flowers, and kernels that start out of the seed that is sown The meaning is, that su... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL FLESH IS NOT THE SAME FLESH - This verse and the following are designed to answer the question 1 Corinthians 15:35, “with what bodies do they come?” And the argument here is, that there are many kinds of bodies; that all are not alike; that while they are bodies, yet they partake of different qu... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE ARE ALSO CELESTIAL BODIES - The planets; the stars; the host of heaven; see 1 Corinthians 15:41. AND BODIES TERRESTRIAL - On earth; earthly. He refers here to the bodies of human beings, beasts, birds, etc.; perhaps, also, of trees and vegetables. The sense is, “There is a great variety of bod... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE IS ONE GLORY OF THE SUN ... - The sun has one degree of splendor, and the moon another, and so also the stars. They differ from each other in magnitude, in brightness, in beauty. The idea in this verse differs from that in the former. In that 1 Corinthians 15:40 Paul says, that there was a dif... [ Continue Reading ]
SO ALSO IS THE RESURRECTION - In a manner similar to the grain that is sown, and to the different degrees of splendor and magnificence in the bodies in the sky and on the earth. The dead shall be raised in a manner analogous to the springing up of grain; and there shall be a difference between the b... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS SOWN IN DISHONOUR - In the grave, where it is shut out from human view; hurried away from the sight of friends; loathsome and offensive as a mass turning to decay. There is, moreover, a kind of disgrace and ignominy attending it here, as under the curse of God, and, on account of sin, sentence... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS SOWN A NATURAL BODY - (σῶμα ψυχικὸν sōma psuchikon). This word, “natural,” denotes properly that which is endowed with “animal” life, having breath, or vitality. The word from which it is derived (ψυχή psuchē) denotes properly the breath; vital breath; the soul, as the vital principle; th... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SO IT IS WRITTEN, - Genesis 2:7. It is only the first part of the verse which is quoted. THE FIRST MAN ADAM WAS MADE A LIVING SOUL - This is quoted exactly from the translation by the Septuagint, except that the apostle has added the words “first” and “Adam.” This is done to designate whom he me... [ Continue Reading ]
HOWBEIT - There is a due order observed, 1 Corinthians 15:23. The decaying, the dying, the weak, the corruptible, in the proper order of events, was first. This order was necessary, and this is observed everywhere. It is seen in the grain that dies in the ground, and in the resurrection of man. The... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FIRST MAN - Adam. IS OF THE EARTH - Was made of the dust; see Genesis 2:7. EARTHY - Partaking of the earth; he was a mass of animated clay, and could be appropriately called “dust;” Genesis 3:19. Of course, he must partake of a nature that was low, mean, mortal, and corruptible. THE SECOND MAN... [ Continue Reading ]
AS IS THE EARTHY - Such as Adam was. SUCH ARE THEY ALSO ... - Such are all his descendants; all who derive their nature from him. That is, they are frail, corruptible, mortal; they live in an animal body as he did, and like him, they are subject to corruption and decay. AND AS IS THE HEAVENLY - As... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AS WE HAVE BORNE THE IMAGE OF THE EARTHY - As like our first father, we are frail, decaying, dying; as we are so closely connected with him as to be like him. This does not refer, mainly, to one bearing his moral character, but to the fact that we are, like him, subject to sickness, frailty, sor... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THIS I SAY, BRETHREN - “I make this affirmation in regard to this whole subject. I do it as containing the substance of all that I have said. I do it in order to prevent all mistake in regard to the nature of the bodies which shall be raised up.” This affirmation is made respecting all the dead... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD I SHOW YOU - This commences the third subject of inquiry in the chapter, the question, what will become of those who are alive when the Lord Jesus shall return to raise the dead? This was an obvious inquiry, and the answer was, perhaps, supposed to be difficult. Paul answers it directly, and... [ Continue Reading ]
IN A MOMENT - (ἐν ἀτόμῳ en atomō). In an “atom,” scil. of time; a point of time which cannot be cut or divided (α a, the alpha privative (“not”) and τομη tomē, from τέμνω temnō, “to cut”). A single instant; immediately. It will be done instantaneously. IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE - This is an... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THIS CORRUPTIBLE ... - It is necessary that a change should take place, either by dying and then being raised, or by being changed without seeing death; for we cannot enter heaven as we are now. MUST PUT ON - The word used here (ἐνδύνω endunō ) properly means to go in, to envelope, to put on... [ Continue Reading ]
SO WHEN ... - In that future glorious world, when all this shall have been accomplished. THEN SHALL BE BROUGHT TO PASS - Then shall be fully accomplished; these words shall then receive their entire fulfillment; or this event shall meet all that is implied in these words. THE SAYING THAT IS WRITTE... [ Continue Reading ]
“O death.” This triumphant exclamation is the commencement of the fourth division of the chapter, the practical consequences of the doctrine. It is such an exclamation as every man with right feelings will be disposed to make, who contemplates the ravages of death; who looks upon a world where in al... [ Continue Reading ]
THE STING OF DEATH - The sting which death bears; that with which he effects his purpose; that which is made use of to inflict death; or that which is the cause of death. There would be no death without sin. The apostle here personifies death, as if it were a living being, and as making use of sin t... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THANKS BE TO GOD; - See the notes at Romans 7:25. WHICH GIVETH US THE VICTORY - Us who are Christians; all Christians. The victory over sin, death, and the grave. God alone is the author of this victory. He formed the plan; he executed it in the gift of his Son; and he gives it to us personally... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE, MY BELOVED BRETHREN - In view of the great and glorious truths which have been revealed to us respecting the resurrection, Paul closes the whole of this important discussion with an exhortation to that firmness in the faith which ought to result from truths so glorious, and from hopes so... [ Continue Reading ]