*1 Corinthians 15:42-58
Paul promises believers a future transformation with imperishable bodies at the moment of Christ’s return.
- Nature of the Resurrection Body:
- Paul explains the transformation that occurs in the resurrection, using the analogy of a seed that dies and then rises in a new form. He states that the body is sown perishable but is raised imperishable.
- The resurrection body is described as sown in dishonor but raised in glory; sown in weakness but raised in power; and sown a natural body but raised a spiritual body.
- Contrast Between Adam and Christ:
- He contrasts the first man, Adam, who became a living being and was of the earth, with the last Adam—Christ, who is a life-giving spirit and is from heaven.
- As believers have borne the image of the earthly man, so they will bear the image of the heavenly man in their resurrected form.
- Mystery of the Resurrection:
- Paul reveals a mystery: not all believers will die, but all will be changed in an instant, at the last trumpet. The dead will be raised imperishable, and the living will be changed.
- This transformation is necessary because perishable bodies cannot inherit the imperishable kingdom of God.
- Victory Over Death:
- Upon this change, the saying will come true that “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
- Paul taunts death, asking where its victory and sting are, and explains that the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
- He credits God for giving believers victory over death through Jesus Christ.
- Exhortation to Steadfastness and Labor:
- In conclusion, Paul encourages the Corinthians to stand firm and let nothing move them.
- He exhorts them to always give themselves fully to the work of the Lord, knowing that their labor is not in vain in the Lord.
15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 15:43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven.
15:48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 15:52 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.
15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
15:54 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.
15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
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.