1 Corinthians 15 to 16
Common Theme
Paul anchors the entire Christian life in the certainty of Christ’s resurrection and the future hope it guarantees, then urges the church to live faithfully, generously, and steadfastly in light of that hope. He ties doctrine and daily obedience together so that belief in the resurrection shapes how believers work, give, love, and stand firm.
Questions
- How does confidence in bodily resurrection shape your endurance in difficult areas of life or ministry?
- In what ways do Paul’s final instructions about generosity, watchfulness, and love challenge your priorities?
God Shot
God reveals Himself as the faithful and victorious Lord who raises the dead and brings every promise to completion. He is the God who empowers His people to stand firm and abound in His work because nothing done in Him is ever wasted.
Deeper
1 Corinthians 15
The text discusses the resurrection of Christ and its significance for believers. The author reminds the audience of the gospel he preached, emphasizing that Christ died for sins, was buried, and rose on the third day, as foretold in the Scriptures. He recounts Christ’s appearances to various individuals and groups, including the apostles and over five hundred people, asserting the reality of the resurrection . The author argues that if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised, rendering their preaching and faith meaningless. He stresses that Christ’s resurrection is the foundation of hope for believers, as through Him, all will be made alive.
The text also addresses questions about the nature of the resurrection body, comparing it to a seed that must die to bring forth new life. It explains that the resurrection transforms the perishable into the imperishable, and the natural body into a spiritual body. The author concludes with a proclamation of victory over death, stating that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, and that all will be changed at the last trumpet. He encourages steadfastness in faith and work, assuring that their labor in the Lord is not in vain, thanks to the victory provided through Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 16
The text discusses the collection for the saints, instructing the church to set aside contributions weekly to avoid last-minute collections. Paul plans to visit after passing through Macedonia and hopes to spend quality time with them. He will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost due to opportunities for effective work despite adversaries. Timothy is to be welcomed and supported, and Apollos will visit when possible. Paul urges the church to stand firm in faith, act with strength, and do everything in love. He acknowledges the household of Stephanas for their service and sends greetings from various churches, concluding with a personal note and blessings.