1 Corinthians 15:1-58 King James Version (KJV)

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;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

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.

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.

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.

20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

21 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.

24 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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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; 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.

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.

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.


1 Corinthians 15:1-58 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 Moreover, G1161 brethren, G80 I declare G1107 unto you G5213 the gospel G2098 which G3739 I preached G2097 unto you, G5213 which G3739 also G2532 ye have received, G3880 and G2532 wherein G1722 G3739 ye stand; G2476

2 By G1223 which G3739 also G2532 ye are saved, G4982 if G1487 ye keep G2722 in memory what G5101 G3056 I preached G2097 unto you, G5213 unless G1622 G1508 ye have believed G4100 in vain. G1500

3 For G1063 I delivered G3860 unto you G5213 first of all G1722 G4413 that which G3739 I G3880 also G2532 received, G3880 how G3754 that Christ G5547 died G599 for G5228 our G2257 sins G266 according G2596 to the scriptures; G1124

4 And G2532 that G3754 he was buried, G2290 and G2532 that G3754 he rose again G1453 the third G5154 day G2250 according G2596 to the scriptures: G1124

5 And G2532 that G3754 he was seen G3700 of Cephas, G2786 then G1534 of the twelve: G1427

6 After that, G1899 he was seen G3700 of above G1883 five hundred G4001 brethren G80 at once; G2178 of G1537 whom G3739 the greater part G4119 remain G3306 unto G2193 this present, G737 but G1161 some G5100 G2532 are fallen asleep. G2837

7 After that, G1899 he was seen G3700 of James; G2385 then G1534 of all G3956 the apostles. G652

8 And G1161 last G2078 of all G3956 he was seen G3700 of me also, G2504 as G5619 of one born out of due time. G1626

9 For G1063 I G1473 am G1510 the least G1646 of the apostles, G652 that G3739 am G1510 not G3756 meet G2425 to be called G2564 an apostle, G652 because G1360 I persecuted G1377 the church G1577 of God. G2316

10 But G1161 by the grace G5485 of God G2316 I am G1510 what G3739 I am: G1510 and G2532 his G846 grace G5485 which was bestowed upon G1519 me G1691 was G1096 not G3756 in vain; G2756 but G235 I laboured G2872 more abundantly G4054 than they G846 all: G3956 yet G1161 not G3756 I, G1473 but G235 the grace G5485 of God G2316 which G3588 was with G4862 me. G1698

11 Therefore G3767 whether G1535 it were I G1473 or G1535 they, G1565 so G3779 we preach, G2784 and G2532 so G3779 ye believed. G4100

12 Now G1161 if G1487 Christ G5547 be preached G2784 that G3754 he rose G1453 from G1537 the dead, G3498 how G4459 say G3004 some G5100 among G1722 you G5213 that G3754 there is G2076 no G3756 resurrection G386 of the dead? G3498

13 But G1161 if G1487 there be G2076 no G3756 resurrection G386 of the dead, G3498 then G3761 is G1453 Christ G5547 not G3761 risen: G1453

14 And G1161 if G1487 Christ G5547 be G1453 not G3756 risen, G1453 then G686 is our G2257 preaching G2782 vain, G2756 and G2532 your G5216 faith G4102 is G1161 also G2532 vain. G2756

15 Yea, G1161 and G2532 we are found G2147 false witnesses G5575 of God; G2316 because G3754 we have testified G3140 of G2596 God G2316 that G3754 he raised up G1453 Christ: G5547 whom G3739 he raised G1453 not G3756 up, G1453 if G1512 so be G686 that the dead G3498 rise G1453 not. G3756

16 For G1063 if G1487 the dead G3498 rise G1453 not, G3756 then is G1453 not G3761 Christ G5547 raised: G1453

17 And G1161 if G1487 Christ G5547 be G1453 not G3756 raised, G1453 your G5216 faith G4102 is vain; G3152 ye are G2075 yet G2089 in G1722 your G5216 sins. G266

18 Then G686 they also G2532 which are fallen asleep G2837 in G1722 Christ G5547 are perished. G622

19 If G1487 in G1722 this G5026 life G2222 only G3440 we have hope G1679 G2070 in G1722 Christ, G5547 we are G2070 of all G3956 men G444 most miserable. G1652

20 But G1161 now G3570 is G1453 Christ G5547 risen G1453 from G1537 the dead, G3498 and become G1096 the firstfruits G536 of them that slept. G2837

21 For G1063 since G1894 by G1223 man G444 came death, G2288 by G1223 man G444 came also G2532 the resurrection G386 of the dead. G3498

22 For G1063 as G5618 in G1722 Adam G76 all G3956 die, G599 even G2532 so G3779 in G1722 Christ G5547 shall G2227 all G3956 be made alive. G2227

23 But G1161 every man G1538 in G1722 his own G2398 order: G5001 Christ G5547 the firstfruits; G536 afterward G1899 they that are G3588 Christ's G5547 at G1722 his G846 coming. G3952

24 Then G1534 cometh the end, G5056 when G3752 he shall have delivered up G3860 the kingdom G932 to God, G2316 even G2532 the Father; G3962 when G3752 he shall have put down G2673 all G3956 rule G746 and G2532 all G3956 authority G1849 and G2532 power. G1411

25 For G1063 he G846 must G1163 reign, G936 till G891 G3757 he hath put G302 G5087 all G3956 enemies G2190 under G5259 his G846 feet. G4228

26 The last G2078 enemy G2190 that shall be destroyed G2673 is death. G2288

27 For G1063 he hath put G5293 all things G3956 under G5259 his G846 feet. G4228 But G1161 when G3752 he saith G2036 G3754 all things G3956 are put under G5293 him, it is manifest G1212 that G3754 he is excepted, G1622 which did put G5293 all things G3956 under G5293 him. G846

28 And G1161 when G3752 all things G3956 shall be subdued G5293 unto him, G846 then G5119 shall G5293 the Son G5207 also G2532 himself G846 be subject G5293 unto him that put G5293 all things G3956 under G5293 him, G846 that G2443 God G2316 may be G5600 all G3956 in G1722 all. G3956

29 Else G1893 what G5101 shall they do G4160 which are baptized G907 for G5228 the dead, G3498 if G1487 the dead G3498 rise G1453 not G3756 at all? G3654 why G5101 G2532 are they then baptized G907 for G5228 the dead? G3498

30 And G2532 why G5101 stand G2793 we G2249 in jeopardy G2793 every G3956 hour? G5610

31 I protest by G3513 your G5212 rejoicing G2251 G2746 which G3739 I have G2192 in G1722 Christ G5547 Jesus G2424 our G2257 Lord, G2962 I die G599 daily. G2596 G2250

32 If G1487 after the manner G2596 of men G444 I have fought with beasts G2341 at G1722 Ephesus, G2181 what G5101 advantageth it G3786 me, G3427 if G1487 the dead G3498 rise G1453 not? G3756 let us eat G5315 and G2532 drink; G4095 for G1063 to morrow G839 we die. G599

33 Be G4105 not G3361 deceived: G4105 evil G2556 communications G3657 corrupt G5351 good G5543 manners. G2239

34 Awake G1594 to righteousness, G1346 and G2532 sin G264 not; G3361 for G1063 some G5100 have G2192 not the knowledge G56 of God: G2316 I speak G3004 this to G4314 your G5213 shame. G1791

35 But G235 some G5100 man will say, G2046 How G4459 are G1453 the dead G3498 raised up? G1453 and G1161 with what G4169 body G4983 do they come? G2064

36 Thou fool, G878 that which G3739 thou G4771 sowest G4687 is G2227 not G3756 quickened, G2227 except G3362 it die: G599

37 And G2532 that which G3739 thou sowest, G4687 thou sowest G4687 not G3756 that body G4983 that shall be, G1096 but G235 bare G1131 grain, G2848 it may chance G1487 G5177 of wheat, G4621 or G2228 of some G5100 other G3062 grain:

38 But G1161 God G2316 giveth G1325 it G846 a body G4983 as G2531 it hath pleased him, G2309 and G2532 to every G1538 seed G4690 his own G2398 body. G4983

39 All G3956 flesh G4561 is not G3756 the same G846 flesh: G4561 but G235 G3303 there is one G243 kind of flesh G4561 of men, G444 G1161 another G243 flesh G4561 of beasts, G2934 G1161 another G243 of fishes, G2486 and G1161 another G243 of birds. G4421

40 There are also G2532 celestial G2032 bodies, G4983 and G2532 bodies G4983 terrestrial: G1919 but G235 G3303 the glory G1391 of the celestial G2032 is one, G2087 and G1161 the glory of the terrestrial G1919 is another. G2087

41 There is one G243 glory G1391 of the sun, G2246 and G2532 another G243 glory G1391 of the moon, G4582 and G2532 another G243 glory G1391 of the stars: G792 for G1063 one star G792 differeth from G1308 another star G792 in G1722 glory. G1391

42 So G3779 also G2532 is the resurrection G386 of the dead. G3498 It is sown G4687 in G1722 corruption; G5356 it is raised G1453 in G1722 incorruption: G861

43 It is sown G4687 in G1722 dishonour; G819 it is raised G1453 in G1722 glory: G1391 it is sown G4687 in G1722 weakness; G769 it is raised G1453 in G1722 power: G1411

44 It is sown G4687 a natural G5591 body; G4983 it is raised G1453 a spiritual G4152 body. G4983 There is G2076 a natural G5591 body, G4983 and G2532 there is G2076 a spiritual G4152 body. G4983

45 And G2532 so G3779 it is written, G1125 The first G4413 man G444 Adam G76 was made G1096 G1519 a living G2198 soul; G5590 the last G2078 Adam G76 was made G1519 a quickening G2227 spirit. G4151

46 Howbeit G235 that was not G3756 first G4412 which is spiritual, G4152 but G235 that which is natural; G5591 and afterward G1899 that which is spiritual. G4152

47 The first G4413 man G444 is of G1537 the earth, G1093 earthy: G5517 the second G1208 man G444 is the Lord G2962 from G1537 heaven. G3772

48 As G3634 is the earthy, G5517 such G5108 are they also G2532 that are earthy: G5517 and G2532 as is G3634 the heavenly, G2032 such G5108 are they G2032 also G2532 that are heavenly. G2032

49 And G2532 as G2531 we have borne G5409 the image G1504 of the earthy, G5517 we shall G5409 also G2532 bear G5409 the image G1504 of the heavenly. G2032

50 Now G1161 this G5124 I say, G5346 brethren, G80 that G3754 flesh G4561 and G2532 blood G129 cannot G3756 G1410 inherit G2816 the kingdom G932 of God; G2316 neither G3761 doth G2816 corruption G5356 inherit G2816 incorruption. G861

51 Behold, G2400 I shew G3004 you G5213 a mystery; G3466 We shall G2837 not G3756 all G3956 G3303 sleep, G2837 but G1161 we shall G236 all G3956 be changed, G236

52 In G1722 a moment, G823 in G1722 the twinkling G4493 of an eye, G3788 at G1722 the last G2078 trump: G4536 for G1063 the trumpet shall sound, G4537 and G2532 the dead G3498 shall be raised G1453 incorruptible, G862 and G2532 we G2249 shall be changed. G236

53 For G1063 this G5124 corruptible G5349 must G1163 put on G1746 incorruption, G861 and G2532 this G5124 mortal G2349 must put on G1746 immortality. G110

54 So G1161 when G3752 this G5124 corruptible G5349 shall have put on G1746 incorruption, G861 and G2532 this G5124 mortal G2349 shall have put on G1746 immortality, G110 then G5119 shall be brought to pass G1096 the saying G3056 that is written, G1125 Death G2288 is swallowed up G2666 in G1519 victory. G3534

55 O death, G2288 where G4226 is thy G4675 sting? G2759 O grave, G86 where G4226 is thy G4675 victory? G3534

56 G1161 The sting G2759 of death G2288 is sin; G266 and G1161 the strength G1411 of sin G266 is the law. G3551

57 But G1161 thanks G5485 be to God, G2316 which G3588 giveth G1325 us G2254 the victory G3534 through G1223 our G2257 Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ. G5547

58 Therefore, G5620 my G3450 beloved G27 brethren, G80 be ye G1096 stedfast, G1476 unmoveable, G277 always G3842 abounding G4052 in G1722 the work G2041 of the Lord, G2962 forasmuch as ye know G1492 that G3754 your G5216 labour G2873 is G2076 not G3756 in vain G2756 in G1722 the Lord. G2962


1 Corinthians 15:1-58 American Standard (ASV)

1 Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand,

2 by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures;

5 and that he appeared to Cephas; then to the twelve;

6 then he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain until now, but some are fallen asleep;

7 then he appeared to James; then to all the apostles;

8 and last of all, as to the `child' untimely born, he appeared to me also.

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 found vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

11 Whether then `it be' I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.

12 Now if Christ is preached that he hath been raised from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither hath Christ been raised:

14 and if Christ hath not been raised, then is our preaching vain, your faith also is vain.

15 Yea, we are found false witnesses of God; because we witnessed of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead are not raised.

16 For if the dead are not raised, neither hath Christ been raised:

17 and if Christ hath not been raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

18 Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

19 If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable.

20 But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep.

21 For since by man `came' death, by man `came' also the resurrection of the dead.

22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming.

24 Then `cometh' the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power.

25 For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet.

26 The last enemy that shall be abolished is death.

27 For, He put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject all things unto him.

28 And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that God may be all in all.

29 Else what shall they do that are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?

30 Why do we also stand in jeopardy every hour?

31 I protest by that glorifying in you, brethren, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

32 If after the manner of men I fought with beasts at Ephesus, what doth it profit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die.

33 Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals.

34 Awake to soberness righteously, and sin not; for some have no knowledge of God: I speak `this' to move you to shame.

35 But some one will say, How are the dead raised? and with what manner of body do they come?

36 Thou foolish one, that which thou thyself sowest is not quickened except it die:

37 and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not the body that shall be, but a bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other kind;

38 but God giveth it a body even as it pleased him, and to each seed a body of its own.

39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one `flesh' of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of birds, and another of fishes.

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.

42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

43 it is sown in dishonor; 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. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual `body'.

45 So also it is written, The first man Adam became a living soul. The last Adam `became' a life-giving spirit.

46 Howbeit that is not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; then that which is spiritual.

47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is of 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.

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not 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.

54 But when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?

56 The sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law:

57 but thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord.


1 Corinthians 15:1-58 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

1 And I make known to you, brethren, the good news that I proclaimed to you, which also ye did receive, in which also ye have stood,

2 through which also ye are being saved, in what words I proclaimed good news to you, if ye hold fast, except ye did believe in vain,

3 for I delivered to you first, what also I did receive, that Christ died for our sins, according to the Writings,

4 and that he was buried, and that he hath risen on the third day, according to the Writings,

5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve,

6 afterwards he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain till now, and certain also did fall asleep;

7 afterwards he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.

8 And last of all -- as to the untimely birth -- he appeared also to me,

9 for I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I did persecute the assembly of God,

10 and by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace that `is' towards me came not in vain, but more abundantly than they all did I labour, yet not I, but the grace of God that `is' with me;

11 whether, then, I or they, so we preach, and so ye did believe.

12 And if Christ is preached, that out of the dead he hath risen, how say certain among you, that there is no rising again of dead persons?

13 and if there be no rising again of dead persons, neither hath Christ risen;

14 and if Christ hath not risen, then void `is' our preaching, and void also your faith,

15 and we also are found false witnesses of God, because we did testify of God that He raised up the Christ, whom He did not raise if then dead persons do not rise;

16 for if dead persons do not rise, neither hath Christ risen,

17 and if Christ hath not risen, vain is your faith, ye are yet in your sins;

18 then, also, those having fallen asleep in Christ did perish;

19 if in this life we have hope in Christ only, of all men we are most to be pitied.

20 And now, Christ hath risen out of the dead -- the first-fruits of those sleeping he became,

21 for since through man `is' the death, also through man `is' a rising again of the dead,

22 for even as in Adam all die, so also in the Christ all shall be made alive,

23 and each in his proper order, a first-fruit Christ, afterwards those who are the Christ's, in his presence,

24 then -- the end, when he may deliver up the reign to God, even the Father, when he may have made useless all rule, and all authority and power --

25 for it behoveth him to reign till he may have put all the enemies under his feet --

26 the last enemy is done away -- death;

27 for all things He did put under his feet, and, when one may say that all things have been subjected, `it is' evident that He is excepted who did subject the all things to him,

28 and when the all things may be subjected to him, then the Son also himself shall be subject to Him, who did subject to him the all things, that God may be the all in all.

29 Seeing what shall they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? why also are they baptized for the dead?

30 why also do we stand in peril every hour?

31 Every day do I die, by the glorying of you that I have in Christ Jesus our Lord:

32 if after the manner of a man with wild beasts I fought in Ephesus, what the advantage to me if the dead do not rise? let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die!

33 Be not led astray; evil communications corrupt good manners;

34 awake up, as is right, and sin not; for certain have an ignorance of God; for shame to you I say `it'.

35 But some one will say, `How do the dead rise?

36 unwise! thou -- what thou dost sow is not quickened except it may die;

37 and that which thou dost sow, not the body that shall be dost thou sow, but bare grain, it may be of wheat, or of some one of the others,

38 and God doth give to it a body according as He willed, and to each of the seeds its proper body.

39 All flesh `is' not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another of fishes, and another of birds;

40 and `there are' heavenly bodies, and earthly bodies; but one `is' the glory of the heavenly, and another that of the earthly;

41 one glory of sun, and another glory of moon, and another glory of stars, for star from star doth differ in glory.

42 So also `is' the rising again 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;

45 so also it hath been written, `The first man Adam became a living creature,' the last Adam `is' for a life-giving spirit,

46 but that which is spiritual `is' not first, but that which `was' natural, afterwards that which `is' spiritual.

47 The first man `is' out of the earth, earthy; the second man `is' the Lord out of heaven;

48 as `is' the earthy, such `are' also the earthy; and as `is' the heavenly, such `are' also the heavenly;

49 and, according as we did bear the image of the earthy, we shall bear also the image of the heavenly.

50 And this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood the reign of God is not able to inherit, nor doth the corruption inherit the incorruption;

51 lo, I tell you a secret; we indeed shall not all sleep, and we all shall be changed;

52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, in the last trumpet, for it shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we -- we shall be changed:

53 for it behoveth this corruptible to put on incorruption, and this mortal to put on immortality;

54 and when this corruptible may have put on incorruption, and this mortal may have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the word that hath been written, `The Death was swallowed up -- to victory;

55 where, O Death, thy sting? where, O Hades, thy victory?'

56 and the sting of the death `is' the sin, and the power of the sin the law;

57 and to God -- thanks, to Him who is giving us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ;

58 so that, my brethren beloved, become ye stedfast, unmovable, abounding in the work of the Lord at all times, knowing that your labour is not vain in the Lord.


1 Corinthians 15:1-58 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

1 But I make known to you, brethren, the glad tidings which I announced to you, which also ye received, in which also ye stand,

2 by which also ye are saved, (if ye hold fast the word which I announced to you as the glad tidings,) unless indeed ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered to you, in the first place, what also I had received, that Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures;

4 and that he was buried; and that he was raised the third day, according to the scriptures;

5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.

6 Then he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the most remain until now, but some also have fallen asleep.

7 Then he appeared to James; then to all the apostles;

8 and last of all, as to an abortion, he appeared to *me* also.

9 For *I* am the least of the apostles, who am not fit to be called apostle, because I have persecuted the assembly of God.

10 But by God's grace I am what I am; and his grace, which [was] towards me, has not been vain; but I have laboured more abundantly than they all, but not *I*, but the grace of God which [was] with me.

11 Whether, therefore, I or they, thus we preach, and thus ye have believed.

12 Now if Christ is preached that he is raised from among [the] dead, how say some among you that there is not a resurrection of [those that are] dead?

13 But if there is not a resurrection of [those that are] dead, neither is Christ raised:

14 but if Christ is not raised, then, indeed, vain also [is] our preaching, and vain also your faith.

15 And we are found also false witnesses of God; for we have witnessed concerning God that he raised the Christ, whom he has not raised if indeed [those that are] dead are not raised.

16 For if [those that are] dead are not raised, neither is Christ raised;

17 but if Christ be not raised, your faith [is] vain; ye are yet in your sins.

18 Then indeed also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are [the] most miserable of all men.

20 (But now Christ is raised from among [the] dead, first-fruits of those fallen asleep.

21 For since by man [came] death, by man also resurrection of [those that are] dead.

22 For as in the Adam all die, thus also in the Christ all shall be made alive.

23 But each in his own rank: [the] first-fruits, Christ; then those that are the Christ's at his coming.

24 Then the end, when he gives up the kingdom to him [who is] God and Father; when he shall have annulled all rule and all authority and power.

25 For he must reign until he put all enemies under his feet.

26 [The] last enemy [that] is annulled [is] death.

27 For he has put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he says that all things are put in subjection, [it is] evident that [it is] except him who put all things in subjection to him.

28 But when all things shall have been brought into subjection to him, then the Son also himself shall be placed in subjection to him who put all things in subjection to him, that God may be all in all.)

29 Since what shall the baptised for the dead do if [those that are] dead rise not at all? why also are they baptised for them?

30 Why do *we* also endanger ourselves every hour?

31 Daily I die, by your boasting which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord.

32 If, [to speak] after the manner of man, I have fought with beasts in Ephesus, what is the profit to me if [those that are] dead do not rise? let us eat and drink; for to-morrow we die.

33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

34 Awake up righteously, and sin not; for some are ignorant of God: I speak to you as a matter of shame.

35 But some one will say, How are the dead raised? and with what body do they come?

36 Fool; what *thou* sowest is not quickened unless it die.

37 And what thou sowest, thou sowest not the body that shall be, but a bare grain: it may be of wheat, or some one of the rest:

38 and God gives to it a body as he has pleased, and to each of the seeds its own body.

39 Every flesh [is] not the same flesh, but one [is] of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another [flesh] of birds, and another of fishes.

40 And [there are] heavenly bodies, and earthly bodies: but different is the glory of the heavenly, different that of the earthly:

41 one [the] sun's glory, and another [the] moon's glory, and another [the] stars' glory; for star differs from star in glory.

42 Thus also [is] the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruptibility.

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: if there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual [one].

45 Thus also it is written, The first man Adam became a living soul; the last Adam a quickening spirit.

46 But that which is spiritual [was] not first, but that which is natural, then that which is spiritual:

47 the first man out of [the] earth, made of dust; the second man, out of heaven.

48 Such as he made of dust, such also those made of dust; and such as the heavenly [one], such also the heavenly [ones].

49 And as we have borne the image of the [one] made of dust, we shall bear also the image of the heavenly [one].

50 But this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit God's kingdom, nor does corruption inherit incorruptibility.

51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all fall asleep, but we shall all be changed,

52 in an instant, in [the] twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and *we* shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible must needs put on incorruptibility, and this mortal put on immortality.

54 But when this corruptible shall have put on incorruptibility, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the word written: Death has been swallowed up in victory.

55 Where, O death, [is] thy sting? where, O death, thy victory?

56 Now the sting of death [is] sin, and the power of sin the law;

57 but thanks to God, who gives us the victory by our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 So then, my beloved brethren, be firm, immovable, abounding always in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in [the] Lord.


1 Corinthians 15:1-58 World English Bible (WEB)

1 Now I declare to you, brothers, the Gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which you also stand,

2 by which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain.

3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.

6 Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep.

7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,

8 and last of all, as to the child born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also.

9 For I am the least of the apostles, who is not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the assembly of God.

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am. His grace which was bestowed on me was not futile, but I worked more than all of them; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

11 Whether then it is I or they, so we preach, and so you believed.

12 Now if Christ is preached, that he has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ been raised.

14 If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith also is in vain.

15 Yes, we are found false witnesses of God, because we testified about God that he raised up Christ, whom he didn't raise up, if it is so that the dead are not raised.

16 For if the dead aren't raised, neither has Christ been raised.

17 If Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins.

18 Then they also who are fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

19 If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable.

20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruits of those who are asleep.

21 For since death came by man, the resurrection of the dead also came by man.

22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.

23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then those who are Christ's, at his coming.

24 Then the end comes, when he will deliver up the Kingdom to God, even the Father; when he will have abolished all rule and all authority and power.

25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death.

27 For, "He put all things in subjection under his feet." But when he says, "All things are put in subjection," it is evident that he is excepted who subjected all things to him.

28 When all things have been subjected to him, then the Son will also himself be subjected to him who subjected all things to him, that God may be all in all.

29 Or else what will they do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead aren't raised at all, why then are they baptized for the dead?

30 Why do we also stand in jeopardy every hour?

31 I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

32 If I fought with animals at Ephesus for human purposes, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, then "let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."

33 Don't be deceived! "Evil companionships corrupt good morals."

34 Wake up righteously, and don't sin, for some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.

35 But someone will say, "How are the dead raised?" and, "With what kind of body do they come?"

36 You foolish one, that which you yourself sow is not made alive unless it dies.

37 That which you sow, you don't sow the body that will be, but a bare grain, maybe of wheat, or of some other kind.

38 But God gives it a body even as it pleased him, and to each seed a body of its own.

39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds.

40 There are also celestial bodies, and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial differs from that of the terrestrial.

41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.

42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption.

43 It is sown in dishonor; 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 also a spiritual body.

45 So also it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living soul." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

46 However that which is spiritual isn't first, but that which is natural, then that which is spiritual.

47 The first man is of the earth, made of dust. The second man is the Lord from heaven.

48 As is the one made of dust, such are those who are also made of dust; and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

49 As we have borne the image of those made of dust, let's{NU, TR read "we will" instead of "let's"} also bear the image of the heavenly.

50 Now I say this, brothers,{The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."} that flesh and blood can't inherit the Kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption.

51 Behold, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed,

52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 But when this corruptible will have put on incorruption, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then what is written will happen: "Death is swallowed up in victory."

55 "Death, where is your sting? Hades, where is your victory?"

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord's work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.


1 Corinthians 15:1-58 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

1 Now I am going to make clear to you, my brothers, what the good news was which I gave to you, and which you took, and on which your faith is based,

2 By which you have salvation; that is to say, the form in which it was given to you, if it is fixed in your minds, and if your faith in it is not without effect.

3 For I gave to you first of all what was handed down to me, how Christ underwent death for our sins, as it says in the Writings;

4 And he was put in the place of the dead; and on the third day he came back from the dead, as it says in the Writings;

5 And he was seen by Cephas; then by the twelve;

6 Then by more than five hundred brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, but some are sleeping;

7 Then he was seen by James; then by all the Apostles.

8 And last of all, as by one whose birth was out of the right time, he was seen by me.

9 For I am the least of the Apostles, having no right to be named an Apostle, because of my cruel attacks on the church of God.

10 But by the grace of God, I am what I am: and his grace which was given to me has not been for nothing; for I did more work than all of them; though not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

11 If then it is I who am the preacher, or they, this is our word, and to this you have given your faith.

12 Now if the good news says that Christ came back from the dead, how do some of you say that there is no coming back from the dead?

13 But if there is no coming back from the dead, then Christ has not come back from the dead:

14 And if Christ did not come again from the dead, then our good news and your faith in it are of no effect.

15 Yes, and we are seen to be false witnesses of God; because we gave witness of God that by his power Christ came again from the dead: which is not true if there is no coming back from the dead.

16 For if it is not possible for the dead to come to life again, then Christ has not come to life again:

17 And if that is so, your faith is of no effect; you are still in your sins.

18 And, in addition, the dead in Christ have gone to destruction.

19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most unhappy.

20 But now Christ has truly come back from the dead, the first-fruits of those who are sleeping.

21 For as by man came death, so by man there is a coming back from the dead.

22 For as in Adam death comes to all, so in Christ will all come back to life.

23 But every man in his right order: Christ the first-fruits; then those who are Christ's at his coming.

24 Then comes the end, when he will give up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he will have put an end to all rule and to all authority and power.

25 For his rule will go on till he has put all those who are against him under his feet.

26 The last power to come to an end is death.

27 For, as it says, He has put all things under his feet. But when he says, All things are put under him, it is clear that it is not said about him who put all things under him.

28 And when all things have been put under him, then will the Son himself be under him who put all things under him, so that God may be all in all.

29 Again, what will they do who are given baptism for the dead? if the dead do not come back at all, why are people given baptism for them?

30 And why are we in danger every hour?

31 Yes, truly, by your pride in me, my brothers in Christ Jesus our Lord, my life is one long death.

32 If, after the way of men, I was fighting with beasts at Ephesus, what profit is it to me? If the dead do not come to life again, let us take our pleasure in feasting, for tomorrow we come to an end.

33 Do not be tricked by false words: evil company does damage to good behaviour.

34 Be awake to righteousness and keep yourselves from sin; for some have no knowledge of God: I say this to put you to shame.

35 But someone will say, How do the dead come back? and with what sort of body do they come?

36 Foolish man, it is necessary for the seed which you put into the earth to undergo death in order that it may come to life again:

37 And when you put it into the earth, you do not put in the body which it will be, but only the seed, of grain or some other sort of plant;

38 But God gives it a body, as it is pleasing to him, and to every seed its special body.

39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one flesh of men, another of beasts, another of birds, and another of fishes.

40 And there are bodies of heaven and bodies of earth, but the glory of the one is different from that of the other.

41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for the glory of one star is different from that of another.

42 So is it with the coming back from the dead. It is planted in death; it comes again in life:

43 It is planted in shame; it comes again in glory: feeble when it is planted, it comes again in power:

44 It is planted a natural body; it comes again as a body of the spirit. If there is a natural body, there is equally a body of the spirit.

45 And so it is said, The first man Adam was a living soul. The last Adam is a life-giving spirit.

46 But that which is natural comes before that which is of the spirit.

47 The first man is from the earth, and of the earth: the second man is from heaven.

48 Those who are of the earth are like the man who was from the earth: and those who are of heaven are like the one from heaven.

49 And in the same way as we have taken on us the image of the man from the earth, so we will take on us the image of the one from heaven.

50 Now I say this, my brothers, that it is not possible for flesh and blood to have a part in the kingdom of God; and death may not have a part in life.

51 See, I am giving you the revelation of a secret: we will not all come to the sleep of death, but we will all be changed.

52 In a second, in the shutting of an eye, at the sound of the last horn: for at that sound the dead will come again, free for ever from the power of death, and we will be changed.

53 For this body which comes to destruction will be made free from the power of death, and the man who is under the power of death will put on eternal life.

54 But when this has taken place, then that which was said in the Writings will come true, Death is overcome by life.

55 O death, where is your power? O death, where are your pains?

56 The pain of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law:

57 But praise be to God who gives us strength to overcome through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 For this cause, my dear brothers, be strong in purpose and unmoved, ever giving yourselves to the work of the Lord, because you are certain that your work is not without effect in the Lord.

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


CHAPTER 15

1Co 15:1-58. The Resurrection Proved against the Deniers of It at Corinth.

Christ's resurrection rests on the evidence of many eye-witnesses, including Paul himself, and is the great fact preached as the groundwork of the Gospel: they who deny the resurrection in general, must deny that of Christ, and the consequence of the latter will be, that Christian preaching and faith are vain.

1. Moreover—"Now" [Alford and Ellicott].

I declare—literally, "I make known": it implies some degree of reproach that it should be now necessary to make it known to them afresh, owing to some of them "not having the knowledge of God" (1Co 15:34). Compare Ga 1:11.

wherein ye stand—wherein ye now take your stand. This is your present actual privilege, if ye suffer not yourselves to fall from your high standing.

2. ye are saved—rather, "ye are being saved."

if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you—Able critics, Bengel and others, prefer connecting the words thus, "I declare unto you the Gospel (1Co 15:1) in what words I preached it unto you." Paul reminds them, or rather makes known to them, as if anew, not only the fact of the Gospel, but also with what words, and by what arguments, he preached it to them. Translate in that case, "if ye hold it fast." I prefer arranging as English Version, "By which ye are saved, if ye hold fast (in memory and personal appropriation) with what speech I preached it unto you."

unless—which is impossible, your faith is vain, in resting on Christ's resurrection as an objective reality.

3. I delivered unto you—A short creed, or summary of articles of faith, was probably even then existing; and a profession in accordance with it was required of candidates for baptism (Ac 8:37).

first of all—literally, "among the foremost points" (Heb 6:2). The atonement is, in Paul's view, of primary importance.

which I … received—from Christ Himself by special revelation (compare 1Co 11:23).

died for our sins—that is, to atone FOR them; for taking away our sins (1Jo 3:5; compare Ga 1:4): "gave Himself for our sins" (Isa 53:5; 2Co 5:15; Tit 2:14). The "for" here does not, as in some passages, imply vicarious substitution, but "in behalf of" (Heb 5:3; 1Pe 2:24). It does not, however, mean merely "on account of," which is expressed by a different Greek word (Ro 4:25), (though in English Version translated similarly, "for").

according to the scriptures—which "cannot be broken." Paul puts the testimony of Scripture above that of those who saw the Lord after His resurrection [Bengel]. So our Lord quotes Isa 53:12, in Lu 22:37; compare Ps 22:15, &c.; Da 9:26.

4. buried … rose again—His burial is more closely connected with His resurrection than His death. At the moment of His death, the power of His inextinguishable life exerted itself (Mt 27:52). The grave was to Him not the destined receptacle of corruption, but an apartment fitted for entering into life (Ac 2:26-28) [Bengel].

rose again—Greek, "hath risen": the state thus begun, and its consequences, still continue.

5. seen of Cephas—Peter (Lu 24:34).

the twelve—The round number for "the Eleven" (Lu 24:33, 36). "The Twelve" was their ordinary appellation, even when their number was not full. However, very possibly Matthias was present (Ac 1:22, 23). Some of the oldest manuscripts and versions read, "the Eleven": but the best on the whole, "the Twelve."

6. five hundred—This appearance was probably on the mountain (Tabor, according to tradition), in Galilee, when His most solemn and public appearance, according to His special promise, was vouchsafed (Mt 26:32; 28:7, 10, 16). He "appointed" this place, as one remote from Jerusalem, so that believers might assemble there more freely and securely. Alford's theory of Jerusalem being the scene, is improbable; as such a multitude of believers could not, with any safety, have met in one place in the metropolis, after His crucifixion there. The number of disciples (Ac 1:15) at Jerusalem shortly after, was one hundred and twenty, those in Galilee and elsewhere not being reckoned. Andronicus and Junius were, perhaps, of the number (Ro 16:7): they are said to be "among the apostles" (who all were witnesses of the resurrection, Ac 1:22).

remain unto this present—and, therefore, may be sifted thoroughly to ascertain the trustworthiness of their testimony.

fallen asleep—in the sure hope of awaking at the resurrection (Ac 7:60).

7. seen of James—the Less, the brother of our Lord (Ga 1:19). The Gospel according to the Hebrews, quoted by Jerome [On Illustrious Men, p. 170 D.], records that "James swore he would not eat bread from the hour that he drank the cup of the Lord, till he should see Him rising again from the dead."

all the apostles—The term here includes many others besides "the Twelve" already enumerated (1Co 15:5): perhaps the seventy disciples (Lu 10:1) [Chrysostom].

8. One born out of due time—Greek, "the one abortively born": the abortion in the family of the apostles. As a child born before the due time is puny, and though born alive, yet not of the proper size, and scarcely worthy of the name of man, so "I am the least of the apostles," scarcely "meet to be called an apostle"; a supernumerary taken into the college of apostles out of regular course, not led to Christ by long instruction, like a natural birth, but by a sudden power, as those prematurely born [Grotius]. Compare the similar image from childbirth, and by the same spiritual power, the resurrection of Christ (1Pe 1:3). "Begotten again by the resurrection of Jesus." Jesus' appearance to Paul, on the way to Damascus, is the one here referred to.

9. least—The name, "Paulus," in Latin, means "least."

I persecuted the church—Though God has forgiven him, Paul can hardly forgive himself at the remembrance of his past sin.

10. by … grace … and his grace—The repetition implies the prominence which God's grace had in his mind, as the sole cause of his marvellous conversion and subsequent labors. Though "not meet to be called an apostle," grace has given him, in Christ, the meetness needed for the office. Translate as the Greek, "His grace which was (showed) towards me."

what I am—occupying the honorable office of an apostle. Contrast with this the self-sufficient prayer of another Pharisee (Lu 18:11).

but I laboured—by God's grace (Php 2:16).

than they all—than any of the apostles (1Co 15:7).

grace of God … with me—Compare "the Lord working with them" (Mr 16:20). The oldest manuscripts omit "which was." The "not I, but grace," implies, that though the human will concurred with God when brought by His Spirit into conformity with His will, yet "grace" so preponderated in the work, that his own co-operation is regarded as nothing, and grace as virtually the sole agent. (Compare 1Co 3:9; Mt 10:20; 2Co 6:1; Php 2:12, 13).

11. whether it were I or they—(the apostles) who "labored more abundantly" (1Co 15:10) in preaching, such was the substance of our preaching, namely, the truths stated in 1Co 15:3, 4.

12. if—Seeing that it is an admitted fact that Christ is announced by us eye-witnesses as having risen from the dead, how is it that some of you deny that which is a necessary consequence of Christ's resurrection, namely, the general resurrection?

some—Gentile reasoners (Ac 17:32; 26:8) who would not believe it because they did not see "how" it could be (1Co 15:35, 36).

13. If there be no general resurrection, which is the consequent, then there can have been no resurrection of Christ, which is the antecedent. The head and the members of the body stand on the same footing: what does not hold good of them, does not hold good of Him either: His resurrection and theirs are inseparably joined (compare 1Co 15:20-22; Joh 14:19).

14. your faith … vain—(1Co 15:11). The Greek for "vain" here is, empty, unreal: in 1Co 15:17, on the other hand, it is, without use, frustrated. The principal argument of the first preachers in support of Christianity was that God had raised Christ from the dead (Ac 1:22; 2:32; 4:10, 33; 13:37; Ro 1:4). If this fact were false, the faith built on it must be false too.

15. testified of God—that is, concerning God. The rendering of others is, "against God" [Vulgate, Estius, Grotius]: the Greek preposition with the genitive implies, not direct antagonism (as the accusative would mean), but indirect to the dishonor of God. English Version is probably better.

if so be—as they assert. It is not right to tell untrue stories, though they are told and seem for the glory of God (Job 13:7).

16. The repetition implies the unanswerable force of the argument.

17. vain—Ye are, by the very fact (supposing the case to be as the skeptics maintained), frustrated of all which "your faith" appropriates: Ye are still under the everlasting condemnation of your sins (even in the disembodied state which is here referred to), from which Christ's resurrection is our justification (Ro 4:25): "saved by his life" (Ro 5:10).

18. fallen asleep in Christ—in communion with Christ as His members. "In Christ's case the term used is death, to assure us of the reality of His suffering; in our case, sleep, to give us consolation: In His case, His resurrection having actually taken place, Paul shrinks not from the term death; in ours, the resurrection being still only a matter of hope, he uses the term falling asleep" [Photius, Quæstiones Amphilochiæ, 197].

perished—Their souls are lost; they are in misery in the unseen world.

19. If our hopes in Christ were limited to this life only, we should be, of all men, most to be pitied; namely, because, while others live unmolested, we are exposed to every trial and persecution, and, after all, are doomed to bitter disappointment in our most cherished hope; for all our hope of salvation, even of the soul (not merely of the body), hangs on the resurrection of Christ, without which His death would be of no avail to us (Eph 1:19, 20; 1Pe 1:3). The heathen are "without hope" (Eph 2:12; 1Th 4:13). We should be even worse, for we should be also without present enjoyment (1Co 4:9).

20. now—as the case really is.

and become—omitted in the oldest manuscripts.

the first-fruits—the earnest or pledge, that the whole resurrection harvest will follow, so that our faith is not vain, nor our hope limited to this life. The time of writing this Epistle was probably about the Passover (1Co 5:7); the day after the Passover sabbath was that for offering the first-fruits (Le 23:10, 11), and the same was the day of Christ's resurrection: whence appears the appropriateness of the image.

21. by man … by man—The first-fruits are of the same nature as the rest of the harvest; so Christ, the bringer of life, is of the same nature as the race of men to whom He brings it; just as Adam, the bringer of death, was of the same nature as the men on whom he brought it.

22. in Adam all—in union of nature with Adam, as representative head of mankind in their fall.

in Christ … all—in union of nature with Christ, the representative head of mankind in their recovery. The life brought in by Christ is co-extensive with the death brought in by Adam.

23. But every man in his own order—rather, "rank": the Greek is not in the abstract, but concrete: image from troops, "each in his own regiment." Though all shall rise again, let not any think all shall be saved; nay, each shall have his proper place, Christ first (Col 1:18), and after Him the godly who die in Christ (1Th 4:16), in a separate band from the ungodly, and then "the end," that is, the resurrection of the rest of the dead. Christian churches, ministers, and individuals seem about to be judged first "at His coming" (Mt 25:1-30); then "all the nations" (Mt 25:31-46). Christ's own flock shall share His glory "at His coming," which is not to be confounded with "the end," or general judgment (Re 20:4-6, 11-15). The latter is not in this chapter specially discussed, but only the first resurrection, namely, that of the saints: not even the judgment of Christian hollow professors (Mt 25:1-30) at His coming, is handled, but only the glory of them "that are Christ's," who alone in the highest sense "obtain the resurrection from the dead" (Lu 14:14; 20:35, 36; Php 3:11; see on Php 3:11). The second coming of Christ is not a mere point of time, but a period beginning with the resurrection of the just at His appearing, and ending with the general judgment. The ground of the universal resurrection is the union of all mankind in nature with Christ, their representative Head, who has done away with death, by His own death in their stead: the ground of the resurrection of believers is not merely this, but their personal union with Him as their "Life" (Col 3:4), effected causatively by the Holy Spirit, and instrumentally by faith as the subjective, and by ordinances as the objective means.

24. Then—after that: next in the succession of "orders" or "ranks."

the end—the general resurrection, and final judgment and consummation (Mt 25:46).

delivered up … kingdom to … Father—(Compare Joh 13:3). Seeming at variance with Da 7:14, "His dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away." Really, His giving up of the mediatorial kingdom to the Father, when the end for which the mediatorial economy was established has been accomplished, is altogether in harmony with its continuing everlastingly. The change which shall then take place, shall be in the manner of administration, not in the kingdom itself; God shall then come into direct connection with the earth, instead of mediatorially, when Christ shall have fully and finally removed everything that severs asunder the holy God and a sinful earth (Col 1:20). The glory of God is the final end of Christ's mediatorial office (Php 2:10, 11). His co-equality with the Father is independent of the latter, and prior to it, and shall, therefore, continue when its function shall have ceased. His manhood, too, shall everlastingly continue, though, as now, subordinate to the Father. The throne of the Lamb (but no longer mediatorial) as well as of God, shall be in the heavenly city (Re 22:3; compare Re 3:21). The unity of the Godhead, and the unity of the Church, shall be simultaneously manifested at Christ's second coming. Compare Zep 3:9; Zec 14:9; Joh 17:21-24. The oldest manuscripts for "shall have delivered up," read, "delivereth up," which suits the sense better. It is "when He shall have put down all rule," that "He delivereth up the kingdom to the Father."

shall have put down all rule—the effect produced during the millennary reign of Himself and His saints (Ps 110:1; 8:6; 2:6-9), to which passages Paul refers, resting his argument on the two words, "all" and "until," of the Psalmist: a proof of verbal inspiration of Scripture (compare Re 2:26, 27). Meanwhile, He "rules in the midst of His enemies" (Ps 110:2). He is styled "the King" when He takes His great power (Mt 25:34; Re 11:15, 17). The Greek for "put down" is, "done away with," or "brought to naught." "All" must be subject to Him, whether openly opposed powers, as Satan and his angels, or kings and angelic principalities (Eph 1:21).

25. must—because Scripture foretells it.

till—There will be no further need of His mediatorial kingdom, its object having been realized.

enemies under his feet—(Lu 19:27; Eph 1:22).

26. shall be—Greek, "is done away with" (Re 20:14; compare Re 1:18). It is to believers especially this applies (1Co 15:55-57); even in the case of unbelievers, death is done away with by the general resurrection. Satan brought in sin, and sin brought in death! So they shall be destroyed (rendered utterly powerless) in the same order (1Co 15:56; Heb 2:14; Re 19:20; 20:10, 14).

27. all things—including death (compare Eph 1:22; Php 3:21; Heb 2:8; 1Pe 3:22). It is said, "hath put," for what God has said is the same as if it were already done, so sure is it. Paul here quotes Ps 8:6 in proof of his previous declaration, "For (it is written), 'He hath put all things under His feet.'"

under his feet—as His footstool (Ps 110:1). In perfect and lasting subjection.

when he—namely, God, who by His Spirit inspired the Psalmist.

28. Son … himself … subject—not as the creatures are, but as a Son voluntarily subordinate to, though co-equal with, the Father. In the mediatorial kingdom, the Son had been, in a manner, distinct from the Father. Now, His kingdom shall merge in the Father's, with whom He is one; not that there is thus any derogation from His honor; for the Father Himself wills "that all should honor the Son, as they honor the Father" (Joh 5:22, 23; Heb 1:6).

God … all in all—as Christ is all in all (Col 3:11; compare Zec 14:9). Then, and not till then, "all things," without the least infringement of the divine prerogative, shall be subject to the Son, and the Son subordinate to the Father, while co-equally sharing His glory. Contrast Ps 10:4; 14:1. Even the saints do not fully realize God as their "all" (Ps 73:25) now, through desiring it; then each shall feel, God is all to me.

29. Else—if there be no resurrection.

what shall they do?—How wretched is their lot!

they … which are baptized for the dead—third person; a class distinct from that in which the apostle places himself, "we" (1Co 15:30); first person. Alford thinks there is an allusion to a practice at Corinth of baptizing a living person in behalf of a friend who died unbaptized; thus Paul, without giving the least sanction to the practice, uses an ad hominem argument from it against its practicers, some of whom, though using it, denied the resurrection: "What account can they give of their practice; why are they at the trouble of it, if the dead rise not?" [So Jesus used an ad hominem argument, Mt 12:27]. But if so, it is strange there is no direct censure of it. Some Marcionites adopted the practice at a later period, probably from taking this passage, as Alford does; but, generally, it was unknown in the Church. Bengel translates, "over (immediately upon) the dead," that is, who will be gathered to the dead immediately after baptism. Compare Job 17:1, "the graves are ready for me." The price they get for their trouble is, that they should be gathered to the dead for ever (1Co 15:13, 16). Many in the ancient Church put off baptism till near death. This seems the better view; though there may have been some rites of symbolical baptism at Corinth, now unknown, perhaps grounded on Jesus' words (Mt 20:22, 23), which Paul here alludes to. The best punctuation is, "If the dead rise not at all, why are they then baptized for them" (so the oldest manuscripts read the last words, instead of "for the dead")?

30. we—apostles (1Co 15:9; 1Co 4:9). A gradation from those who could only for a little time enjoy this life (that is, those baptized at the point of death), to us, who could enjoy it longer, if we had not renounced the world for Christ [Bengel].

31. by your rejoicing—by the glorying which I have concerning you, as the fruit of my labors in the Lord. Some of the earliest manuscripts and fathers read "our," with the same sense. Bengel understands "your rejoicing," to be the enjoyable state of the Corinthians, as contrasted with his dying daily to give his converts rejoicing or glorying (1Co 4:8; 2Co 4:12, 15; Eph 3:13; Php 1:26). But the words, "which I have," favor the explanation—"the rejoicing which I have over you." Many of the oldest manuscripts and Vulgate insert "brethren" here.

I die daily—This ought to stand first in the sentence, as it is so put prominently forward in the Greek. I am day by day in sight of death, exposed to it, and expecting it (2Co 4:11, 12; 1:8, 9; 11:23).

32. Punctuate thus: "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," &c. [Bengel]. If "merely as a man" (with the mere human hope of the present life; not with the Christian's hope of the resurrection; answering to "If the dead rise not," the parallel clause in the next sentence), I have fought with men resembling savage beasts. Heraclitus, of Ephesus, had termed his countrymen "wild beasts" four hundred years before. So Epimenides called the Cretians (Tit 1:12). Paul was still at Ephesus (1Co 16:8), and there his life was daily in danger (1Co 4:9; compare 2Co 1:8). Though the tumult (Ac 19:29, 30) had not yet taken place (for after it he set out immediately for Macedonia), this Epistle was written evidently just before it, when the storm was gathering; "many adversaries" (1Co 16:9) were already menacing him.

what advantageth it me?—seeing I have renounced all that, "as a mere man," might compensate me for such sufferings, gain, fame, &c.

let us eat, &c.—Quoted from the Septuagint, (Isa 22:13), where the prophet describes the reckless self-indulgence of the despisers of God's call to mourning, Let us enjoy the good things of life now, for it soon will end. Paul imitates the language of such skeptics, to reprove both their theory and practice. "If men but persuade themselves that they shall die like the beasts, they soon will live like beasts too" [South].

33. evil communications corrupt good manners—a current saying, forming a verse in Menander, the comic poet, who probably took it from Euripides [Socrates, Ecclesiastical History, 3.16]. "Evil communications" refer to intercourse with those who deny the resurrection. Their notion seems to have been that the resurrection is merely spiritual, that sin has its seat solely in the body, and will be left behind when the soul leaves it, if, indeed, the soul survive death at all.

good—not only good-natured, but pliant. Intimacy with the profligate society around was apt to corrupt the principles of the Corinthians.

34. Awake—literally, "out of the sleep" of carnal intoxication into which ye are thrown by the influence of these skeptics (1Co 15:32; Joe 1:5).

to righteousness—in contrast with "sin" in this verse, and corrupt manners (1Co 15:33).

sin not—Do not give yourselves up to sinful pleasures. The Greek expresses a continued state of abstinence from sin. Thus, Paul implies that they who live in sinful pleasures readily persuade themselves of what they wish, namely, that there is to be no resurrection.

some—the same as in 1Co 15:12.

have not the knowledge of God—and so know not His power in the resurrection (Mt 22:29). Stronger than "are ignorant of God." An habitual ignorance: wilful, in that they prefer to keep their sins, rather than part with them, in order to know God (compare Joh 7:17; 1Pe 2:15).

to your shame—that you Corinthian Christians, who boast of your knowledge, should have among you, and maintain intercourse with, those so practically ignorant of God, as to deny the resurrection.

35. How—It is folly to deny a fact of REVELATION, because we do not know the "how." Some measure God's power by their petty intelligence, and won't admit, even on His assurance, anything which they cannot explain. Ezekiel's answer of faith to the question is the truly wise one (Eze 37:3). So Jesus argues not on principles of philosophy, but wholly from "the power of God," as declared by the Word of God (Mt 19:26; Mr 10:27; 12:23; Lu 18:27).

come—The dead are said to depart, or to be deceased: those rising again to come. The objector could not understand how the dead are to rise, and with what kind of a body they are to come. Is it to be the same body? If so, how is this, since the resurrection bodies will not eat or drink, or beget children, as the natural bodies do? Besides, the latter have mouldered into dust. How then can they rise again? If it be a different body, how can the personal identity be preserved? Paul answers, In one sense it will be the same body, in another, a distinct body. It will be a body, but a spiritual, not a natural, body.

36. fool—with all thy boasted philosophy (Ps 14:1).

that which thou—"thou," emphatical: appeal to the objector's own experience: "The seed which thou thyself sowest." Paul, in this verse and in 1Co 15:42, answers the question of 1Co 15:35, "How?" and in 1Co 15:37-41, 43, the question, "With what kind of body?" He converts the very objection (the death of the natural body) into an argument. Death, so far from preventing quickening, is the necessary prelude and prognostication of it, just as the seed "is not quickened" into a new sprout with increased produce, "except it die" (except a dissolution of its previous organization takes place). Christ by His death for us has not given us a reprieve from death as to the life which we have from Adam; nay, He permits the law to take its course on our fleshly nature; but He brings from Himself new spiritual and heavenly life out of death (1Co 15:37).

37. not that body that shall be—a body beautiful and no longer a "bare grain" [Bengel]. No longer without stalk or ear, but clothed with blade and ears, and yielding many grains instead of only one [Grotius]. There is not an identity of all the particles of the old and the new body. For the perpetual transmutation of matter is inconsistent with this. But there is a hidden germ which constitutes the identity of body amidst all outward changes: the outward accretions fall off in its development, while the germ remains the same. Every such germ ("seed," 1Co 15:38) "shall have its own body," and be instantly recognized, just as each plant now is known from the seed that was sown (see on 1Co 6:13). So Christ by the same image illustrated the truth that His death was the necessary prelude of His putting on His glorified body, which is the ground of the regeneration of the many who believe (Joh 12:24). Progress is the law of the spiritual, as of the natural world. Death is the avenue not to mere revivification or reanimation, but to resurrection and regeneration (Mt 19:28; Php 3:21). Compare "planted," &c., Ro 6:5.

38. as it hath pleased him—at creation, when He gave to each of the (kinds of) seeds (so the Greek is for "to every seed") a body of its own (Ge 1:11, "after its kind," suited to its species). So God can and will give to the blessed at the resurrection their own appropriate body, such as it pleases Him, and such as is suitable to their glorified state: a body peculiar to the individual, substantially the same as the body sown.

39-41. Illustrations of the suitability of bodies, however various, to their species: the flesh of the several species of animals; bodies celestial and terrestrial; the various kinds of light in the sun, moon, and stars, respectively.

flesh—animal organism [De Wette]. He implies by the word that our resurrection bodies shall be in some sense really flesh, not mere phantoms of air [Estius]. So some of the oldest creeds expressed it, "I believe in the resurrection of the flesh." Compare as to Jesus' own resurrection body, Lu 24:39; Joh 20:27; to which ours shall be made like, and therefore shall be flesh, but not of animal organism (Php 3:21) and liable to corruption. But 1Co 15:50 below implies, it is not "flesh and blood" in the animal sense we now understand them; for these "shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

not the same—not flesh of the same nature and excellency. As the kinds of flesh, however widely differing from one another, do not cease to be flesh, so the kinds of bodies, however differing from one another, are still bodies. All this is to illustrate the difference of the new celestial body from its terrestrial seed, while retaining a substantial identity.

beasts—quadrupeds.

another of fishes … another of birds—Most of the oldest manuscripts read thus, "another FLESH of birds … another of fishes": the order of nature.

40. celestial bodies—not the sun, moon, and stars, which are first introduced in 1Co 15:41, but the bodies of angels, as distinguished from the bodies of earthly creatures.

the glory of the celestial—(Lu 9:26).

glory of … terrestrial—(Mt 6:28, 29; 1Pe 1:24).

41. one glory of … sun … another … of … moon—The analogy is not to prove different degrees of glory among the blessed (whether this may be, or not, indirectly hinted at), but this: As the various fountains of light, which is so similar in its aspect and properties, differ (the sun from the moon, and the moon from the stars; and even one star from another star, though all seem so much alike); so there is nothing unreasonable in the doctrine that our present bodies differ from our resurrection bodies, though still continuing bodies. Compare the same simile, appropriate especially in the clear Eastern skies (Da 12:3; Mt 13:43). Also that of seed in the same parable (Mt 13:24; Ga 6:7, 8).

42. sown—Following up the image of seed. A delightful word instead of burial.

in corruption—liable to corruption: corruptible: not merely a prey when dead to corruption; as the contrast shows, "raised in incorruption," that is, not liable to corruption: incorruptible.

43. in dishonour—answering to "our vile body" (Php 3:21); literally, "our body of humiliation": liable to various humiliations of disease, injury, and decay at last.

in glory—the garment of incorruption (1Co 15:42, 43) like His glorious body (Php 4:21), which we shall put on (1Co 15:49, 53; 2Co 5:2-4).

in weakness—liable to infirmities (2Co 13:4).

in power—answering to a "spiritual body" (1Co 15:44; compare Lu 1:17, "Spirit and power"). Not liable to the weaknesses of our present frail bodies (Isa 33:24; Re 21:4).

44. a natural body—literally, "an animal body," a body moulded in its organism of "flesh and blood" (1Co 15:50) to suit the animal soul which predominates in it. The Holy Spirit in the spirit of believers, indeed, is an earnest of a superior state (Ro 8:11), but meanwhile in the body the animal soul preponderates; hereafter the Spirit shall predominate, and the animal soul be duly subordinate.

spiritual body—a body wholly moulded by the Spirit, and its organism not conformed to the lower and animal (Lu 20:35, 36), but to the higher and spiritual, life (compare 1Co 2:14; 1Th 5:23).

There is, &c.—The oldest manuscripts read, "IF there is a natural (or animal-souled) body, there is also a spiritual body." It is no more wonderful a thing, that there should be a body fitted to the capacities and want of man's highest part, his spirit (which we see to be the case), than that there should be one fitted to the capacities and wants of his subordinate part, the animal soul [Alford].

45. so—in accordance with the distinction just mentioned between the natural or animal-souled body and the spiritual body.

it is written—(Ge 2:7); "Man became (was made to become) a living soul," that is, endowed with an animal soul, the living principle of his body.

the last Adam—the LAST Head of humanity, who is to be fully manifested in the last day, which is His day (Joh 6:39). He is so called in Job 19:25; see on Job 19:25 (compare Ro 5:14). In contrast to "the last," Paul calls "man" (Ge 2:7) "the FIRST Adam."

quickening—not only living, but making alive (Joh 5:21; 6:33, 39, 40, 54, 57, 62, 63; Ro 8:11). As the natural or animal-souled body (1Co 15:44) is the fruit of our union with the first Adam, an animal-souled man, so the spiritual body is the fruit of our union with the second Adam, who is the quickening Spirit (2Co 3:17). As He became representative of the whole of humanity in His union of the two natures, He exhausted in His own person the sentence of death passed on all men, and giveth spiritual and everlasting life to whom He will.

46. afterward—Adam had a soul not necessarily mortal, as it afterwards became by sin, but "a living soul," and destined to live for ever, if he had eaten of the tree of life (Ge 3:22); still his body was but an animal-souled body, not a spiritual body, such as believers shall have; much less was he a "life-giving spirit," as Christ. His soul had the germ of the Spirit, rather than the fulness of it, such as man shall have when restored "body, soul, and spirit," by the second Adam (1Th 5:23). As the first and lower Adam came before the second and heavenly Adam, so the animal-souled body comes first, and must die before it be changed into the spiritual body (that is, that in which the Spirit predominates over the animal soul).

47. of the earth—inasmuch as being sprung from the earth, he is "earthy" (Ge 2:7; 3:19, "dust thou art"); that is, not merely earthly or born upon the earth, but terrene, or of earth; literally, "of heaped earth" or clay. "Adam" means red earth.

the Lord—omitted in the oldest manuscripts and versions.

from heaven—(Joh 3:13, 31). Humanity in Christ is generic. In Him man is impersonated in his true ideal as God originally designed him. Christ is the representative man, the federal head of redeemed man.

48. As is the earthy—namely, Adam.

they … that are earthy—All Adam's posterity in their natural state (Joh 3:6, 7).

the heavenly—Christ.

they … that are heavenly—His people in their regenerate state (Php 3:20, 21). As the former precedes the latter state, so the natural bodies precede the spiritual bodies.

49. as—Greek, "even as" (see Ge 5:3).

we shall also bear—or wear as a garment [Bengel]. The oldest manuscripts and versions read, "We must also bear," or "let us also bear." It implies the divine appointment (compare "must," 1Co 15:53) and faith assenting to it. An exhortation, and yet implying a promise (so Ro 8:29). The conformity to the image of the heavenly Representative man is to be begun here in our souls, in part, and shall be perfected at the resurrection in both bodies and souls.

50. (See on 1Co 15:37; 1Co 15:39). "Flesh and blood" of the same animal and corruptible nature as our present (1Co 15:44) animal-souled bodies, cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Therefore the believer acquiesces gladly in the unrepealed sentence of the holy law, which appoints the death of the present body as the necessary preliminary to the resurrection body of glory. Hence he "dies daily" to the flesh and to the world, as the necessary condition to his regeneration here and hereafter (Joh 3:6; Ga 2:20). As the being born of the flesh constitutes a child of Adam, so the being born of the Spirit constitutes a child of God.

cannot—Not merely is the change of body possible, but it is necessary. The spirit extracted from the dregs of wine does not so much differ from them, as the glorified man does from the mortal man [Bengel] of mere animal flesh and blood (Ga 1:16). The resurrection body will be still a body though spiritual, and substantially retaining the personal identity; as is proved by Lu 24:39; Joh 20:27, compared with Php 3:21.

the kingdom of God—which is not at all merely animal, but altogether spiritual. Corruption doth not inherit, though it is the way to, incorruption (1Co 15:36, 52, 53).

51. Behold—Calling attention to the "mystery" heretofore hidden in God's purposes, but now revealed.

you—emphatical in the Greek; I show (Greek, "tell," namely, by the word of the Lord, 1Th 4:15) YOU, who think you have so much knowledge, "a mystery" (compare Ro 11:25) which your reason could never have discovered. Many of the old manuscripts and Fathers read, "We shall all sleep, but we shall not all be changed"; but this is plainly a corrupt reading, inconsistent with 1Th 4:15, 17, and with the apostle's argument here, which is that a change is necessary (1Co 15:53). English Version is supported by some of the oldest manuscripts and Fathers. The Greek is literally "We all shall not sleep, but," &c. The putting off of the corruptible body for an incorruptible by an instantaneous change will, in the case of "the quick," stand as equivalent to death, appointed to all men (Heb 9:27); of this Enoch and Elijah are types and forerunners. The "we" implies that Christians in that age and every successive age since and hereafter were designed to stand waiting, as if Christ might come again in their time, and as if they might be found among "the quick."

52. the last trump—at the sounding of the trumpet on the last day [Vatablus] (Mt 24:31; 1Th 4:16). Or the Spirit by Paul hints that the other trumpets mentioned subsequently in the Apocalypse shall precede, and that this shall be the last of all (compare Isa 27:13; Zec 9:14). As the law was given with the sound of a trumpet, so the final judgment according to it (Heb 12:19; compare Ex 19:16). As the Lord ascended "with the sound of a trumpet" (Ps 47:5), so He shall descend (Re 11:15). The trumpet was sounded to convoke the people on solemn feasts, especially on the first day of the seventh month (the type of the completion of time; seven being the number for perfection; on the tenth of the same month was the atonement, and on the fifteenth the feast of tabernacles, commemorative of completed salvation out of the spiritual Egypt, compare Zec 14:18, 19); compare Ps 50:1-7. Compare His calling forth of Lazarus from the grave "with a loud voice," Joh 11:43, with Joh 5:25, 28.

and—immediately, in consequence.

53. this—pointing to his own body and that of those whom he addresses.

put on—as a garment (2Co 5:2, 3).

immortality—Here only, besides 1Ti 6:16, the word "immortality" is found. Nowhere is the immortality of the soul, distinct from the body, taught; a notion which many erroneously have derived from heathen philosophers. Scripture does not contemplate the anomalous state brought about by death, as the consummation to be earnestly looked for (2Co 5:4), but the resurrection.

54. then—not before. Death has as yet a sting even to the believer, in that his body is to be under its power till the resurrection. But then the sting and power of death shall cease for ever.

Death is swallowed up in victory—In Hebrew of Isa 25:8, from which it is quoted, "He (Jehovah) will swallow up death in victory"; that is, for ever: as "in victory" often means in Hebrew idiom (Jer 3:5; La 5:20). Christ will swallow it up so altogether victoriously that it shall never more regain its power (compare Ho 6:2; 13:14; 2Co 5:4; Heb 2:14, 15; Re 20:14; 21:4).

55. Quoted from Ho 13:14, substantially; but freely used by the warrant of the Spirit by which Paul wrote. The Hebrew may be translated, "O death, where are thy plagues? Where, O Hades, is thy destruction?" The Septuagint, "Where is thy victory (literally, in a lawsuit), O death? Where is thy sting, O Hades? … Sting" answers to the Hebrew "plagues," namely, a poisoned sting causing plagues. Appropriate, as to the old serpent (Ge 3:14, 15; Nu 21:6). "Victory" answers to the Hebrew "destruction." Compare Isa 25:7, "destroy … veil … over all nations," namely, victoriously destroy it; and to "in victory" (1Co 15:54), which he triumphantly repeats. The "where" implies their past victorious destroying power and sting, now gone for ever; obtained through Satan's triumph over man in Eden, which enlisted God's law on the side of Satan and death against man (Ro 5:12, 17, 21). The souls in Hades being freed by the resurrection, death's sting and victory are gone. For "O grave," the oldest manuscripts and versions read, "O death," the second time.

56. If there were no sin, there would be no death. Man's transgression of the law gives death its lawful power.

strength of sin is the law—Without the law sin is not perceived or imputed (Ro 3:20; 4:15; 5:13). The law makes sin the more grievous by making God's will the clearer (Ro 7:8-10). Christ's people are no longer "under the law" (Ro 6:14).

57. to God—The victory was in no way due to ourselves (Ps 98:1).

giveth—a present certainty.

the victory—which death and Hades ("the grave") had aimed at, but which, notwithstanding the opposition of them, as well as of the law and sin, we have gained. The repetition of the word (1Co 15:54, 55) is appropriate to the triumph gained.

58. beloved—Sound doctrine kindles Christian love.

steadfast—not turning aside from the faith of the resurrection of yourselves.

unmovable—not turned aside by others (1Co 15:12; Col 1:23).

the work of the Lord—the promotion of Christ's kingdom (Php 2:30).

not in vain—as the deniers of the resurrection would make it (1Co 15:14, 17).

in the Lord—applying to the whole sentence and its several clauses: Ye, as being in the Lord by faith, know that your labor in the Lord (that is, labor according to His will) is not to be without its reward in the Lord (through His merits and according to His gracious appointment).