CORINTHIANS
CHAPTER 15
Christ died for our sins—He rose from the dead and was seen by many—All men will be resurrected—Paul speaks of baptism for the dead—The three degrees of glory—Victory over death comes through Christ.
General Notes on Chpater 15
[ It appears from this chapter that there were some false apostles at Corinth, who denied the resurrection, see ver. 12; in consequence of which St. Paul discusses three questions in this chapter:-
1. Whether there be a resurrection of the dead? 1 Cor. xv. 1-35.
2. What will be the nature of the resurrection bodies? 1 Cor. xv. 35-51.
3. What should become of those who should be found alive in the day of judgment? ver. 51-57.
I. The resurrection he proves,
1.From Scripture, 1 Corinthians xv. 1-4.
2. From eye witnesses, ver. 5-12.
II. He proves the resurrection by showing the absurdity of the contrary doctrine:-
1.If the dead rise not, Christ is not risen, 1 Cor. xv. 13.
2. It would be absurd to have faith in Him, according to the preaching of the Gospel, if he be not risen, ver. 14.
3. The apostles must be false witnesses who attest this resurrection, ver. 15.
4. The faith of the Corinthians must be vain who believe it, 1 Cor. xv. 16, 17.
5. All the believers who have died in the faith of Christ have perished, if Christ be not risen, ver. 18.
6. Believers in Christ are in a more miserable state than any others, if there be no resurrection, ver. 19. ]
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.
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;
5 And that he was seen of Cephas, [ Referring to the journey to Emmaus, Luke 24:13, 34;] , then of the twelve:
[ Referring to when the twelve were eating and the Savior visited them. Mark 16:14. While there were only 11 at this point the body or group that they represent is affectionately referred to as "the Twelve"]
6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; [ most likely at Galilee ] of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
7 After that, he was seen of James; [ We do not know where this took place but we do have the witness of James that it did. Nor do we know which James is intended; James the son of Zebedee, or James the son of Alpheus. But one thing is sufficiently evident, from what is here said, that this James, of whom the apostle speaks, was still alive; for the apostle's manner of speaking justifies this conclusion. ] ; then of all the apostles.
[ Many gospel scholars suggest that it was not only the eleven apostles from the twelve, but, as some suppose, the seventy-two disciples.]
8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. [Referring to his vision of Christ as found in Acts 9:8 Saul has never doubted that he had actually seen Jesus. Even now some years later, he is rehearsing the familiar history of Christ's death, burial, and Resurrection. He reminds the people of Corinth that the risen Christ had appeared to Peter and the rest of the twelve, that He had been seen by more than five hundred disciples at once, many of whom were still alive when that letter was being written. And then he added, with fervent humility and thanksgiving even did he appear to me.]
9 For I am the least of the apostles, [ Because he was the last one that was chosen. ] , that am not meet to be called an apostle, [ "ouk eimi ikanov", I am not proper to be called an apostle. He looks back over the stage in his life with regret, feels like he's the least of the apostles because what he's done. He's not an evil person, he just was raised with incorrect principles, and strived as best he could to live the truth as he knew it. That's why I think the Savior is willing to extend mercy to him, and the Savior deals with him more mercifully than maybe some of the other nefarious figures that show up in the Book of Acts. I think Paul would be the first one to say, "I never converted. I consider myself Jewish. I just finally found out what it all really meant. The truth of my religion was fully revealed to me, but I've always tried to live my religion to the best of my ability, even in those days when I persecuted the church." ] , because I persecuted the church of God. [ That being an understatement - See Acts 9:2 Saul or Paul now was once so intent on opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth that in raging fury, he breathed threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. Here was a man who truly hated Christ and all who were associated with Him. He had at his disposal a troop of foot soldiers at his command with the whole goal to pursue the Christians who had fled Jerusalem, and destroy them. ]
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.
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?
14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, [ Every principle upon which the gospel is based is useless, nugatory and false. Why do it or believe it if Christ was not risen. If Christ did not have the power to save his life then he does not have the power to save any other life either. ] , and your faith is also vain.
[ Or you will gain nothing from your belief. ]
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.
17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
[ So if Christ was not resurrected, and did not have the power to do so then he does not have the power to forgive you of your sins either. ]
19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, [ If Christ was not resurrected, and our hope was false then we are worse than those who do not believe because we have been deceived. ] , we are of all men most miserable.
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, [ and you have the testomonies that I have given you in verses 5-8. ] , and become the firstfruits [ The plan of salvation, the firstfruits are the best , the portion that is to be used as a tithe. So the best was to be used as the sacrifice for man and his sin - even Jesus Christ. ] of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, [ Through the actions of one man Adam; sin and death came into the world and all mankind were subject to that demise. But we signed up for that in the council in heaven, that we would be subject to the choices made by Adam. Adam chose to leave the presence of God and die. He understood the consequence of eating that fruit. ] by man [ By the son of Man even Jesus Christ, again one individual That which Adam opened up to mankind was completed by one man the Savior to make possible both the ability to live again in resurrection and the power to be forgiven of our sins. What did Christ do? (Notice the condescension of God.) He, too, chose to leave the presence of God and die. Just as Adam chose to leave the presence of God and die, we get to choose to return to the presence of God and live. Did not Christ say, “He that believeth in me shall never perish, though he were dead”? ] came also the resurrection of the dead.
23 But every man in his own order: [ Paul suggests the order of resurrection of men. ] Christ the firstfruits; [ Jesus Christ was the first resurrected. ] afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
[ Those who are his followers, the members of his kingdom are resurrected next. ]
24 Then cometh the end, [Finally everyone else will be resurrected. ] 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.
27 For he [ God the Father ] hath put all things under his [ Jesus Christ, who acts as creator, mediator and judge. ] 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 [ The Savior has submitted his will to the will of the Father in doing all of the things that his Father has asked of him. ] that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
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? [ We are plainly taught in John 3:5 that except a man be born of the water (Baptised) that he cannot enter the kindgom of heaven. Those questions of the Apostle Paul without latter-day revelation would remain an enigma. With latter-day revelation, they become clear. Clarification began when the Prophet Joseph Smith was tutored by the angel Moroni,7 who said: Mal. 4:5-6; D&C 2:1-3 I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. D&C 2:3 If it were not so, the whole earth would be utterly wasted. Elder Howard W. Hunter said: Does it seem reasonable that persons who have lived upon the earth and died without the opportunity of baptism should be deprived throughout eternity? Is there anything unreasonable about the living performing the baptisms for the dead? Perhaps the greatest example of vicarious work for the dead is the Master himself. He gave his life as a vicarious atonement, that all who die shall live again and have life everlasting. He did for us what we could not do for ourselves. In a similar way we can perform ordinances for those who did not have the opportunity to do them in lifetime. Ensign, Dec. 1971, pp. 71 72. ]
30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?
[ So if the dead do not rise then why do we worry about keeping Gods commandments or being subject to them? ]
31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
[ A figure of speach of the time, suggesting that each day I am subject to or exposed to death. ]
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 to morrow we die.
[ Again he suggests that if the dead do not rise then why not eat drink and be merry and live your life that way. ]
33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
[ "fqeirousin hqh crhsqÆ omiliai kakai?" Bad company good morals doth corrupt.
There is a proverb much like this among the rabbins: akyfrl yyky rqwa akyfr rtw yyky yrwa yrt "There were two dry logs of wood, and one green log; but the dry logs burnt up the green log." There is no difficulty in this saying; he who frequents the company of bad or corrupt men will soon be as they are. He may be sound in the faith, and have the life and power of godliness, and at first frequent their company only for the sake of their pleasing conversation, or their literary accomplishments: and he may think his faith proof against their infidelity; but he will soon find, by means of their glozing speeches, his faith weakened; and when once he gets under the empire of doubt, unbelief will soon prevail; his bad company will corrupt his morals; and the two dry logs will soon burn up the green one. ]
34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: [ "agnwsian gar qeou tinev ecousi", some have an ignorance of God; for they do not acknowledge God. ] I speak this to your shame.
35 But some man will say, [ Paul is speaking of the false teacher at Corinth. ] , How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
36 Thou fool, [ So Paul is speaking directly to this false preacher, suggesting to him that he is not as smart as he might think that he is. ] that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
[ The seed is feed by the decomposition of last years parts of the plant that were no taken in the harvest. So there is nothing to feed the grain planted unless parts of last years crop has died. ]
37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, [ When we plant we do not plant all of the parts of the previous plant but only the grain. ] , it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.
[ God as the creator gave unto every seed the ability to multiple after its own kind, and from seed come all of the parts needed the roots, the stalk, the leaves, and the grain. It grows according to Gods plan. ]
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 aThere are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, [ Or all that will share that glory are alike, they are the same in righteous aspects. ] , 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.
[ Paul uses a comparison to show how different each is in relation to each other. The difference in light between the moon and the sun is very noticable. ]
43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; [ The body is born subject to the laws of mortality, decay, disease, and death.] it is raised in power:
[ It is resurrected without the limitations of mortality placed on it, immortal, incorruptable, eternal. ]
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 was made a living soul; [ The first Adam was perfect in the flesh and enjoyed God's presence, but the Fall took him out of God's presence and brought about physical death.] the last Adam [or Jesus Christ - started out not being God's presence and being in a mortal condition, but he overcame this and obtained a perfect flesh body which took him back into God's presence. The first Adam corrupted his flesh and took the human race out of God's presence, the second Adam puts the human back into God's presence by giving them a perfect flesh body.] 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.
48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
50 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; [ Mystery in Greek is "Musterion" which means: The counsels of God once hidden but now revealed, in the gospel or some fact thereof; the Christian revelation generally; particular truths or details of the Christian revelation. ] ; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [ this applied to "all" - all will be resurrected. ]
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 [ So this could be better translated as "must be endowed with incorruption,". The word endowed appears only once in the New Testament as the word endued in Luk 24:49. However, the greek word used is "endyō" which is translated as; put on, or had not on (18x), clothed with (2x), clothed in (2x), have on (2x), clothe with (1x), be endued (1x), arrayed in (1x), be clothed (1x), and is used with the nuance of 'being enveloped by' which is very much like "being encircled by" in the context of robes of righteousness. If you retranslate the word "endyo" to "endowed" gain some interesting perspectives as to how we might better understand our own temple experience where we put on, are clothed with, and endowed, or encircled by the robes of righteousness. ] incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 so when this corruptible shall have put on [ So this could be better translated as "So when this corruptible shall have been [endowed] with incorruption,". The word endowed appears only once in the New Testament as the word endued in Luk 24:49. However, the greek word used is "endyō" which is translated as; put on, or had not on (18x), clothed with (2x), clothed in (2x), have on (2x), clothe with (1x), be endued (1x), arrayed in (1x), be clothed (1x), and is used with the nuance of 'being enveloped by' which is very much like "being encircled by" in the context of robes of righteousness. If you retranslate the word "endyo" to "endowed" gain some interesting perspectives as to how we might better understand our own temple experience where we put on, are clothed with, and endowed, or encircled by the robes of righteousness. ] 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.