First Corinthians Fifteen
1 Corinthians 15 (KJV 1900)
First Corinthians 15 is a long and interesting chapter in the first letter Paul wrote to the assembly of believers in Corinth. There are passages in this chapter that are challenging to understand. There are others that are fascinating and exciting. Let’s have a look.
Verses one and two: “1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.”
Paul says that the Corinthians (and by extension, we) heard the Gospel and received it. Hearing and receiving is linked and discussed in Romans 10:13–17 (KJV 1900) as well. There we find, “13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Having heard and received the Gospel, we stand on it as truth. Believing the good news that salvation is the gift of God through faith in what Jesus did at the cross. Faith in Jesus is the conduit through which we are saved by the grace of God as we are told in Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV 1900) “8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Of course, we are only saved if what we believed was true in the first place. If we believed something untrue we believed vainly or without purpose. That would have no effect at all. However, since what we believed is true and since we actually do believe it, this good news affects us and stays in our memory. Can you imagine forgetting what Jesus has done for you? Of course not. You believe it, and things you believe are deeply rooted
Now back in 1 Corinthians 15, verse 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
The work that Jesus did at the cross is the crux of human history for a reason. Jesus Christ is the heart of the Gospel. Jesus Christ is the good tidings of great joy that shall be for all the people. (see Luke 2:10) Jesus Christ, full of grace and truth (see John 1:14 & 17) died for our sins. (see 1 Peter 2:24 & 2 Corinthians 5:21) We had sinned and the just penalty was death. (see Romans 6:23) Jesus endured the sentence we deserved to serve and paid that price on our behalf. His death for our sins took away our sin. (see John 1:29) His death provided forgiveness and made a way for none of our sins to be remembered against us. (see 2 Corinthians 5:19)
But there is more to the good news. Jesus did not merely die for us. Because He is the Lord God, death could not hold Him. (see Romans 6:9) Just as had been prophesied, (see Matthew 12:40) He rose from the dead giving us new life. Eternal life. His life. (see Romans 6:4-5, Ephesians 2:6, Colossians 2:12)
Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One who would save the world from their sins.
Jesus is the Good News.
Jesus is the Gospel.
So we believe that Jesus died for us, was buried, and rose again. Let’s pick up with 1 Corinthians 15:5 “And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.”
That Jesus died and then rose from the dead is perhaps the best attested fact in history. The sheer quantity of ancient manuscripts eclipses the attestation of other events of antiquity. Moreover, Luke’s historical account is unassailable. He wrote it at the request of a Roman—a Gentile—so he was not motivated to be untruthful. He did it by interviewing the witnesses who saw and heard and experienced the events. As a historical record, his account has proof in the form of times, events, and other living people. These ground the things he recounts in other provable facts. The method he used is exactly what we expect of people documenting history even today.
Paul goes on, “9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.”
Much has been said about 1 Timothy 1:15 where Paul calls himself the chief of sinners. Some argue that Paul is teaching that we have two natures or that at least we are still somehow sinners after salvation rather than saints.His statement here that he is not fit or worthy to be called an apostle causes some the same concern. But Paul did not stop writing with verse nine. If he had, he would have fallen under the condemnation he said would befall those who defile or destroy the assembly of saints earlier in this very letter 1 Corinthians 3:17 (KJV 1900) “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”
Instead, he carried on explaining that though he was once a sinner so bad that he persecuted God’s children, that is no longer who he is. This is in line with what he taught everywhere. Earlier in this letter he wrote, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 (KJV 1900)
We are what we are by the grace of God. By the grace of God, we are righteous, blameless, and above reproach. (see Colossians 1:22) We are no longer sinners deserving of condemnation and death. (see 2 Corinthians 5:17) We are saints (see the introduction to most of Paul’s letters) and sharers in the inheritance of Jesus Himself. (see Romans 8:17) We are fit for service, whatever that may look like. (see Romans 7:6) We are fit to walk in the good deeds God prepared for us in advance. (see Ephesians 2:10) We are fit to deny ungodliness and live upright and godly lives in this world. (see Titus 2:11-12)
Now we come to the question of the resurrection of the dead. At the outset, Paul will talk about the resurrection of Jesus, but later we will also learn about our own resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:12 “Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”
There are two things going on in this section. First, the Sadducees claimed that there was no resurrection of the dead. Paul puts that question to rest here but he is making a much larger point about what Jesus did. If the Resurrection did not happen then we believe for no reason (vainly, as he said back in verse 2) and we are still in our sins and cannot have a relationship with God. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then physical death is the end for us.
If Jesus is not raised from the dead then Paul and all the Apostles are liars because they have told us something that is patently false. Peter makes clear that what the Apostles taught is true in 2 Peter 1:16 (KJV 1900) “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” If we are trusting in God for blessing in this life only, our belief is futile, and we have no hope.
1 Corinthians 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
Fortunately, there is good news. Jesus has risen from the dead. In rising, He has made possible the resurrection of all those who in time past trusted that God Himself would provide a Lamb (see Genesis 22:8). He has also ensured our eventual resurrection (see 1 Corinthians 15:52) and our rebirth to new life in this world (see Romans 6:4).
1 Corinthians 5 picking up with verse 21 reads, “For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.”
The sin of Adam, his rejection of the word of God in favor of what seemed good to him according to his senses, brought sin into the world, and death through sin. We find this in Romans 5:12 (KJV 1900) “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”
The consequences of the sin of a human had to be suffered by a human. This is the reason that the humanity of Jesus is of such tremendous importance. God would not be just had He simply ignored the consequences of sin. If He were to be the justifier of those who put their faith in Jesus and also be just Himself, (see Romans 3:26) He could not simply ignore the fact that humanity had brought sin into the world. Therefore, the Savior had to be both man and God. Man, because it was man who had sinned. God, because only someone perfect could possibly bear the consequences. This amalgamation is Jesus, the Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (see John 1:29).
Some say that verse 22 means that everyone is, or will be, saved. That is a very dangerous error. It says, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” Scripture is very clear that belief on Jesus is the only hope of righteousness.
John 3:16 (KJV 1900) 16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 6:29 (KJV 1900) 29Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Romans 3:22 and 28–30 (KJV 1900) “22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:”
“28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.”
See also Romans 4:3-5:1.
Notice that verse 22 in our 1 Corinthians text says that “in Christ” all shall be made alive. The only way to get “in Christ” is to believe. It is by grace you are saved, through faith as we read in Ephesians 2:8-9.
Someone might argue that 2 Corinthians 5:19 indicates that reconciliation to God has been accomplished for everyone and that it was accomplished in Christ. They might postulate that since God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their sins against them that everyone is already saved, but they just do not know it yet.
This, too, is dangerous error. Reconciliation is a two-way street and if, as Ephesians 2:8 states, salvation is the gift of God, then a response is required. That response is belief by faith in the person and work of Jesus the Son of God. I may reconcile you to me well enough, but until you believe that, trusting that I have done so, we can have no relationship. I may have given you a gift, but until you trust that I have given it to you and accept it, putting it to use, the gift has no practical value to you.
1 Corinthians 15:24-28 “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.”
Jesus rose from the dead and at the moment we put our trust in Him for righteousness, we were reborn of the Spirit of God. That rebirth was spiritual. We had been born of flesh, but spiritually we were dead. We had no relationship with God, but by that rebirth we were made righteous and compatible with God. We were given new life. That new life is eternal. It is the life of God. This is what the Bible is talking about when it says that we are in Christ and that His Spirit is in us.
Nevertheless, we die physically and there remains a resurrection for us when we pass through the veil separating this life from the one to come. If Jesus had not risen first, no resurrection would be possible for us. He was raised first and now the same Spirit that raised Him from the dead dwells in us. By that same Spirit we are raised to newness of life.
Verses 24 through 28 talk abut the consummation of all things into God. They show us what the final state of everything will be. God will be all in all. We will be in Him and He in us and we will be one with Him just as each person of the Trinity is One God. Jesus prayed this in John 17:21 (KJV 1900) “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us.”
In saying this, I am not saying that we become God. We remain creatures, yet we are one spirit with God as we read in 1 Corinthians 6:17 (KJV 1900) “But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.” I often use time as a way to help me understand this idea. Just as the past, present, and future are distinct, the persons of the Trinity are distinct, and we are distinct from them. Yet past, present, and future are all time, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all God, and we are one with Him.
For our part, Paul clarifies the resurrection of the saints in 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (KJV 1900). There we find, “13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
All this shows us that the future is bright. We have a wonderful inheritance and a new life. We can look forward to living in the kingdom of which we are true citizens.
In 1 Corinthians 15: 29-34 we come to yet another enigmatic statement. Let’s first look at just verse 29, and then we will add the remainder of Paul’s thought.
29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
Some have interpreted this to mean that people can be baptized vicariously for someone else to ensure that person a place in heaven. This view is erroneous and has no scriptural support. Others think that it refers to people having come to faith and been baptized because of the testimony of people who had died.
The NET Bible contains a note on this verse that I find helpful. They write, “The most likely interpretation is that some Corinthians had undergone baptism to bear witness to the faith of fellow believers who had died without experiencing that rite themselves. Paul’s reference to the practice here is neither a recommendation nor a condemnation. He simply uses it as evidence from the lives of the Corinthians themselves to bolster his larger argument, begun in 15:12, that resurrection from the dead is a present reality in Christ and a future reality for them. Whatever they may have proclaimed, the Corinthians’ actions demonstrated that they had hope for a bodily resurrection.”—Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2005).
Now we will carry on with Paul’s thought. 29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? 30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? 31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.”
(Just a note here. This sentence means that Paul swears, or affirms that just as certainly as his boasts in the work Jesus has done in the Corinthians is true, he dies daily. More on that in a moment.)
“32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we die. 33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
While some have latched onto this statement about Paul dying daily as a way to prod believers into working hard to kill off their supposed flesh, or worse, sinful nature, that view is incorrect. This passage is Paul summing up his argument for the truth of the resurrection of the dead—Jesus first and then those who are saved.
He offers two final arguments. First, in my view, he uses a practice the Corinthians themselves have of being baptized for believers who had died without being baptized as evidence that they already believe in the resurrection of the saints. Second, he asks why he would put himself in harm’s way for the Gospel every day if he were only preaching from human motives rather than a genuine belief in resurrection as fact.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ and our resurrection in glorified bodies are facts. Neither of these are cleverly devised fables. Both are true and can be counted upon. That being the case, it is wise for us to realize that what we listen to and put into our minds has an effect on us. That’s what he means in verse 33 when he says, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” Evil living corrupts good morals. In Romans 12:2 we are instructed to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
What we put into our minds matters. As we grow in grace and the knowledge of the Lord, we become more sensitive to such things. One way this has affected me is that I no longer enjoy certain kinds of movies that I used to think were great. We may find that we feel discomfort at hearing course humor or rough speech. When what we allow into our minds changes, we find that our focus is more regularly on things above and not on things of the earth. We find that our relationship with Father becomes more intimate. We hear Him more readily and trust in His presence more commonly.
In Philippians 4:8 we are told whatever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report; virtuous, and praiseworthy, think on these things. And in Colossians 3:2 (KJV 1900) “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Not only is this good for us in support of our growth in grace and the knowledge of God, but it is good for those around us who have yet to hear and accept the Gospel of our Lord Jesus.
As we come to rely upon the truth about what Jesus has done in and for us and who we are in Christ, the spiritual fruit we bear becomes more noticeable to others. What’s great about this is that we generally think we are just going about our regular daily lives and are surprised to learn that someone else has been blessed through us or has seen Christ in us. This is the way that Jesus is manifested, or made tangible, to the world.
Now picking up at 1 Corinthians 15:35 “But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? 36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: 37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
This idea is linked to resurrection by Jesus as well. In John 12:23–24 (KJV 1900) we read, “The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”
Do you see that? If a seed dies it brings forth much fruit. This is exactly the way it is with us. In Matthew 10:39 and again in Matthew 16:35, Jesus said “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” Many have taught that this means that we must suffer for Christ. They would have us believe that we must face persecution, discomfort, and sacrifices to be worthy of Him.
This is not at all what Jesus was teaching. He was telling us that it is not about what we can do. It is about us relying on what He has done, what He can do. When we give up trying to show people how spiritually mature and godly we are, people begin see Christ instead of seeing us. This is part of what Paul was getting at in Galatians 2:20 (KJV 1900) “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
To the extent we recognize the truth of this statement, our life is lost and His life is found. This is the life of dependance on Jesus. It is walking by faith and not by sight. It is living according to the Spirit rather than according to the flesh.
Continuing in our text at verse 38 “But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. 39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. 40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.”
Father has created each seed to generate a certain kind of crop or fruit or life. The egg of a chicken produces a chicken. A kernel of corn produces a tall stalk filled with food. In just this way, He has created us. While here on earth we are not all that we will become. The body we have now is a kind of egg or seed that when planted will result in something much more glorious.
He told us that “the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.” Here we look at the form and condition of our bodies. We judge by outward appearance. The glory of our earthly form is based on what we see. It Is based upon whether it is visually appealing or not when judged against some human standard. In the kingdom things will be different. We will see one another as we really are. Ephesians 5:8 tells us that we are light.
Our eternal spiritual body will have an entirely other kind of glory. This is perhaps nowhere made more clear than in 1 John 3:2 (KJV 1900). “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” He is indescribable, but we know He is light and He is love.
Back to our text: 1 Corinthians 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; 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.
The new body we will be given is different in aspect (what we see), but more than that, it is different in kind from the one we have now. Our flesh and bones are corruptible. In Genesis 3:19 we are told that from dust they are and to dust they will return. Our current bodies are common and unattractive compared with the glory and beauty of those to come. They are weak and made of flesh, but they will be powerful and spiritual.
In my opinion, the best insight we have into this is the body of Jesus after His resurrection. He was able to enter locked rooms, as He did when visiting the Disciples. Yet He could be touched, as He was by Thomas. He was sometimes unrecognizable as He was at first to Mary in the garden and the Disciples on the road to Emmaus. Yet He was sometimes very recognizable as He was to those in the previous examples and to Peter and the others as they were about to give up fishing for lack of a catch. And lest you be concerned that you may have to give up delicious foods, Jesus was also able to eat. This is a very different body.
Now back in 1 Corinthians 15 again at verse 45, And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
In John 3:6, Jesus said, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” We were born of flesh first and re-born of the Spirit later. We first bear the image of Adam. We are of the earth, earthy—we are literally made of earth, or dust. When we are reborn, we are made alive spiritually. We are born of the Spirit and we bear the image of the Spirit. This is the way it will be with our bodies at the resurrection.
Now beginning with 1 Corinthians 15:50, let’s finish the chapter. There we read, “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I shew 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 trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”
When we believe on Jesus for righteousness, we are given eternal life. (see John 3:16) Eternal life has no beginning and no end. It is the life of God. This is the truth of who we become when we are made new creatures, new creations. The old has gone and the new has come. (see 2 Corinthians 5:17) We are imbued with His incorruptible life.
Our physical bodies do not change. They remain corruptible—and the older we get the more we realize that. When these verses tell us that this mortal must put on immortality they are talking about our bodies. We are immortal spirits at the moment of rebirth. Only our bodies remain in need of change to exist in the incorruptible realm of the kingdom of God. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in the twinkling of an eye.
Picking up our text at verse 54, “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
When we read that the saying “death is swallowed up in victory” is brought to pass at the time when our bodies are glorified it may give us pause. We may remember passages such as Romans 6:9 (KJV 1900) “Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.” Since Jesus already defeated death and we are in Him, it would seem that we have already defeated death as well. We just saw that we have been given eternal life through Jesus Christ, so what does this mean?
The answer is very simple and made plain by remembering always to consider context. Our earthly bodies, which have been the subject for the last several verses, still die, but once we receive our glorified bodies, that will never be the case again. Our spiritual bodies are incorruptible and will never die.
Before we believed, we were subject to both physical death and spiritual death. Death was frightening because of sin. That was the sting of death. Sin meant that death was final. That was the victory of the grave.
Sin had great power over us, and we are told that its power was the law. The law is the power of sin because sin can hold the law over our head every time we fail to think, act, speak, or simply be, morally perfect. Consequently, before salvation we were always under condemnation which led to despair. Who among us believes that they can be perfect? No one does, because if we are being honest, we know very well that it is impossible.
Triumphantly, verse 57 proclaims that God, gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. We also find this idea in Romans 8:3–4 (KJV 1900) “3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
What the law could not do, God did! Since all this is true and since we know for sure that we will be raised with a new spiritual body—that we will completely triumph over death—our lives are affected. We live from sufficiency and not lack. We live from victory.
Now that Paul has brought us to this point he tells us what it all means for our lives here and now.
1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
We are encouraged to be strong and unmovable and to abound in doing godly things. Notice that there is no hint of this behavior being done to avoid punishment or to garner more love and blessing from God. Rather it is because of all He has done for us. It is because when we live our lives by faith and love those around us, there is eternal significance to what we do. It is not in vain. There is purpose and value in it.
People see Jesus in us. They may not recognize Him at first because it is our flesh, our corruptible bodies, they see with their eyes. But the Spirit of God lives within us and they will find themselves drawn to (or for some, repulsed by) the aroma of Him. Sometimes opportunities will present themselves for us to give a reason for what others see in us. For some, that will result in a change of their mind about sin and about God—repentance. For those, it will result in faith in Jesus to supply righteousness and life—salvation.
This is the value of living and behaving like who we really are rather than living and acting like those in the world who have only their senses to rely upon. This is the reason grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and live upright and godly lives in this world. (see Titus 2:11-12)
These are works that are not burned up in fire at the judgement. They are not burned up because they are not things we have done in our own power, Rather, they are things we have done in total dependance on Him. They are spiritual things and cannot be burned up.
