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1 Corinthians 15

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‹ Chapter 14 1 Corinthians — All Chapters Chapter 16 ›

1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, and in which you stand firm. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: 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 and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 And last of all He appeared to me also, as to one of untimely birth. 9 For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy 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 to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 11 Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed. 12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is worthless, and so is your faith. 15 In that case, we are also exposed as false witnesses about God. For we have testified about God that He raised Christ from the dead, but He did not raise Him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If our hope in Christ is for this life alone, we are to be pitied more than all men. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own turn: Christ the firstfruits; then at His coming, those who belong to Him. 24 Then the end will come, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father after He has destroyed all dominion, authority, and power. 25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put everything under His feet.” Now when it says that everything has been put under Him, this clearly does not include the One who put everything under Him. 28 And when all things have been subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will be made subject to Him who put all things under Him, so that God may be all in all. 29 If these things are not so, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? 30 And why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31 I face death every day, brothers, as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for human motives, what did I gain? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character." 34 Sober up as you ought, and stop sinning; for some of you are ignorant of God. I say this to your shame. 35 But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?" 36 You fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37 And what you sow is not the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or something else. 38 But God gives it a body as He has designed, and to each kind of seed He gives its own body. 39 Not all flesh is the same: Men have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another, and fish another. 40 There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies. But the splendor of the heavenly bodies is of one degree, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is of another. 41 The sun has one degree of splendor, the moon another, and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor. 42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. 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 it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being;” the last Adam a life-giving spirit. 46 The spiritual, however, was not first, but the natural, and then the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. 48 As was the earthly man, so also are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so also shall we bear the likeness of the heavenly man. 50 Now I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: “Death has been swallowed up in victory." 55 “Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?" 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 and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

‹ Chapter 14 1 Corinthians — All Chapters Chapter 16 ›

Study Notes — 1 Corinthians 15

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Chapter Summary

The chapter begins with a reminder of the gospel message that the Corinthians had received, which includes the fact that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). The apostle Paul then defends the reality of the resurrection against those who deny it, arguing that if there is no resurrection, then Christ has not been raised, and the Christian faith is in vain (1 Corinthians 15:12-19). He also explains that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the firstfruits of the harvest, and that all believers will be raised from the dead when Christ returns (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). The chapter concludes with a description of the resurrected body, which will be imperishable, glorious, and powerful (1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 50-54).

Context for the Chapter

This chapter is part of the larger book of 1 Corinthians, which is a letter written by the apostle Paul to the Corinthian church. The chapter is a response to questions and doubts that the Corinthians had about the resurrection, and it provides a clear and concise explanation of the Christian doctrine of the resurrection. The chapter is also part of the larger narrative of the Bible, which tells the story of God's creation, humanity's sin, and God's redemption through Jesus Christ.

Heart Application

The chapter has practical implications for believers, who can take comfort in the fact that Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead and that they will be raised from the dead when He returns. Believers can also live with hope and confidence, knowing that their bodies will be transformed to be like Christ's glorious body.

What Does This Chapter Mean?

This chapter is about the resurrection of Jesus Christ and its implications for believers. It emphasizes the importance of the resurrection in the Christian faith and provides answers to questions about the nature of the resurrected body. The chapter concludes with a description of the resurrected body, which will be imperishable, glorious, and powerful (1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 50-54).

Voices from the Church

“The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, and it is the event that demonstrates God's power and love for humanity.”

— Charles Spurgeon

“The resurrection is the guarantee that all believers will be raised from the dead when Christ returns, and it is the foundation of the Christian hope for eternal life.”

— John Calvin

Outline for Preaching

  1. The Gospel Message (1 Corinthians 15:1-11) — The chapter begins with a reminder of the gospel message that the Corinthians had received, which includes the fact that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day.
  2. The Defense of the Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:12-19) — The apostle Paul defends the reality of the resurrection against those who deny it, arguing that if there is no resurrection, then Christ has not been raised, and the Christian faith is in vain.
  3. The Firstfruits of the Harvest (1 Corinthians 15:20-23) — The apostle Paul explains that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the firstfruits of the harvest, and that all believers will be raised from the dead when Christ returns.
  4. The Resurrected Body (1 Corinthians 15:35-49) — The apostle Paul describes the resurrected body, which will be imperishable, glorious, and powerful.
  5. The Victory Over Death (1 Corinthians 15:50-58) — The chapter concludes with a description of the victory over death, which is made possible by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Core Doctrines

Resurrection
The chapter teaches that the resurrection is the foundation of the Christian faith, and it is the event that demonstrates God's power and love for humanity.
Firstfruits
The chapter teaches that Jesus Christ is the firstfruits of the harvest, and that all believers will be raised from the dead when He returns.
Imperishable Body
The chapter teaches that the resurrected body will be imperishable, glorious, and powerful.
Glorious Body
The chapter teaches that the resurrected body will be transformed to be like Christ's glorious body.

Lessons from 1 Corinthians 15

  1. The Importance of the Resurrection — The chapter emphasizes the importance of the resurrection in the Christian faith, and it provides answers to questions about the nature of the resurrected body.
  2. The Connection to the Gospel — The chapter connects the resurrection to the gospel message, which includes the fact that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day.
  3. The Use of Scripture — The chapter uses Scripture to support the argument for the resurrection, citing Old Testament passages such as Psalm 16:10 and Isaiah 53:9.
  4. The Victory Over Death — The chapter concludes with a description of the victory over death, which is made possible by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
  5. The Hope of Eternal Life — The chapter provides comfort and hope for believers, who can take confidence in the fact that Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead and that they will be raised from the dead when He returns.

Themes from 1 Corinthians 15

  1. Resurrection and Eternal Life — The chapter is all about the resurrection of Jesus Christ and its implications for believers.
  2. The Gospel Message — The chapter connects the resurrection to the gospel message, which includes the fact that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day.
  3. The Nature of the Resurrected Body — The chapter describes the resurrected body, which will be imperishable, glorious, and powerful.
  4. The Victory Over Death — The chapter concludes with a description of the victory over death, which is made possible by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
  5. The Hope of Eternal Life — The chapter provides comfort and hope for believers, who can take confidence in the fact that Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead and that they will be raised from the dead when He returns.

Questions for Meditation

  1. What is the significance of the resurrection in the Christian faith?
  2. How does the apostle Paul defend the reality of the resurrection?
  3. What is the nature of the resurrected body?
  4. How does the resurrection of Jesus Christ provide comfort and hope for believers?
  5. What is the relationship between the resurrection and the gospel message?

Detailed Chapter Outline

1. The Gospel Message (1 Corinthians 15:1-11)

15:1 The apostle Paul reminds the Corinthians of the gospel message that they had received, which includes the fact that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day.
15:2 The gospel message is the foundation of the Christian faith, and it is the message that saves those who believe it.

2. The Defense of the Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:12-19)

15:12 The apostle Paul defends the reality of the resurrection against those who deny it, arguing that if there is no resurrection, then Christ has not been raised, and the Christian faith is in vain.
15:13 The apostle Paul argues that if there is no resurrection, then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

3. The Firstfruits of the Harvest (1 Corinthians 15:20-23)

15:20 The apostle Paul explains that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the firstfruits of the harvest, and that all believers will be raised from the dead when Christ returns.
15:21 The apostle Paul argues that death came through a man, and the resurrection of the dead comes through a man.

4. The Resurrected Body (1 Corinthians 15:35-49)

15:35 The apostle Paul describes the resurrected body, which will be imperishable, glorious, and powerful.
15:36 The apostle Paul argues that what is sown is perishable, but what is raised is imperishable.

5. The Victory Over Death (1 Corinthians 15:50-58)

15:50 The apostle Paul concludes with a description of the victory over death, which is made possible by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
15:51 The apostle Paul argues that the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the resurrection in the Christian faith?

The resurrection is the foundation of the Christian faith, and it is the event that demonstrates God's power and love for humanity (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

How does the apostle Paul defend the reality of the resurrection?

The apostle Paul defends the reality of the resurrection by arguing that if there is no resurrection, then Christ has not been raised, and the Christian faith is in vain (1 Corinthians 15:12-19).

What is the nature of the resurrected body?

The resurrected body will be imperishable, glorious, and powerful (1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 50-54).

Top Cross References

ReferenceConnection
1 1 Corinthians 15:3 → John 1:1 The gospel message includes the fact that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day, which is the foundation of the Christian faith.
2 1 Corinthians 15:12 → Psalm 16:10 The apostle Paul defends the reality of the resurrection by citing Old Testament passages such as Psalm 16:10, which says that God will not let His holy one see decay.
3 1 Corinthians 15:20 → Isaiah 53:9 The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the firstfruits of the harvest, and all believers will be raised from the dead when Christ returns, which is a fulfillment of Isaiah 53:9.
4 1 Corinthians 15:35 → Genesis 2:7 The apostle Paul describes the resurrected body, which will be imperishable, glorious, and powerful, and argues that what is sown is perishable, but what is raised is imperishable, which is a reference to Genesis 2:7.
5 1 Corinthians 15:42 → Daniel 12:2 The resurrected body will be imperishable, glorious, and powerful, which is a reference to Daniel 12:2, which says that many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
6 1 Corinthians 15:45 → Genesis 2:7 The apostle Paul argues that the first man Adam became a living being, but the last Adam became a life-giving spirit, which is a reference to Genesis 2:7.
7 1 Corinthians 15:50 → John 5:28-29 The apostle Paul concludes with a description of the victory over death, which is made possible by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and argues that the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed, which is a reference to John 5:28-29.
8 1 Corinthians 15:55 → Hosea 13:14 The apostle Paul argues that death has been swallowed up in victory, and asks where, O death, is your victory, and where, O death, is your sting, which is a reference to Hosea 13:14.
9 1 Corinthians 15:56 → Romans 5:20-21 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law, which is a reference to Romans 5:20-21
10 1 Corinthians 15:57 → John 1:1 The apostle Paul concludes with a description of the victory over death, which is made possible by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and argues that thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, which is a reference to John 1:1.

Sermons on 1 Corinthians 15

SermonDescription
Brother Yun Brother Yun - Heavenly Man by Brother Yun In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal experience of losing his first love for God while being caught up in the busyness of ministry. He emphasizes that past obedience is
Derek Prince Laws of Spiritual Progress - Part 1 by Derek Prince In this sermon, the speaker discusses two lessons they have learned about making spiritual progress. The first principle they emphasize is the importance of taking a step of faith
John Wesley Salvation by Faith (Reading) by John Wesley In this video, James Christian introduces the John Wesley Sermon series, which aims to bring classic Christian texts, including Mr. Wesley's sermons, into audiobook form. He highli
David Wilkerson (Nicaragua) I Have Labored in Vain by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the speaker shares the story of a missionary who became discouraged after five years of laboring in a certain nation without seeing any results. Despite God's promi
A.W. Tozer (1 Peter - Part 7): The Appearing of Jesus Christ by A.W. Tozer In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of appearance and manifestation. He uses the example of a soldier returning home to his wife and children, emphasizing the antici
Vance Havner The Best, Not the Good by Vance Havner In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of making choices in life between the bad, the good, and the best. He highlights the danger of settling for the good when we c
Kathryn Kuhlman The Power of God - Part 1 by Kathryn Kuhlman In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the power of the Holy Spirit and the need for believers to be led by the Spirit. They emphasize the importance of humility and caution again
Francis Chan Are You All In? - Haggai Part 2 by Francis Chan This sermon emphasizes the importance of wholehearted commitment to God, using examples of individuals who turned their lives around to follow Him completely. It challenges listene
Voddie Baucham Errors in the Modern Day Gospel by Voddie Baucham In this sermon, the speaker criticizes a preacher who uses manipulative tactics to connect with the audience. The preacher dresses down and uses phrases to make the young adults an
John Piper "Where Are the Faithful Young Men?" by John Piper This sermon calls for a generation willing to sacrifice their lives for Christ, to live dangerously and be reckless in His service, to prioritize prayer and God's Word above all el

Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, and it is the event that demonstrates God's power and love for humanity. The apostle Paul defends the reality of the resurrection against those who deny it, arguing that if there is no resurrection, then Christ has not been raised, and the Christian faith is in vain. The chapter concludes with a description of the resurrected body, which will be imperishable, glorious, and powerful. As Matthew Henry says, 'The resurrection is the great doctrine of the gospel, and it is the foundation of our hope and comfort.' The practical lessons from this chapter are that believers can take comfort in the fact that Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead, and that they will be raised from the dead when He returns. Believers can also live with hope and confidence, knowing that their bodies will be transformed to be like Christ's glorious body. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →

What Do You Notice?

The Importance of the Resurrection

The chapter emphasizes the importance of the resurrection in the Christian faith, and it provides answers to questions about the nature of the resurrected body. The resurrection is the foundation of the Christian hope for eternal life.

The Connection to the Gospel

The chapter connects the resurrection to the gospel message, which includes the fact that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day.

The Use of Scripture

The chapter uses Scripture to support the argument for the resurrection, citing Old Testament passages such as Psalm 16:10 and Isaiah 53:9.

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