In the first verse of this chapter, Paul tells us that He is going to summarize/declare the Gospel.
1Co 15:1 ¶ 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:
It is important to remember that Jesus died, and was resurrected on Earth, and then ascended. This suggests that if we are to “Walk as He Walked, (1 Jn 2:6) His followers will also experience a resurrection on earth, Romans 6:4.
1Jo 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
Rm 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
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 first fruits of them that slept.
In 1 Cor 15:20 Paul says that Jesus rose from the dead and became the “firstborn” or those that sleep. Remembering that Jesus was resurrected on Earth His people should also seek such a resurrection as is mentioned in Romans 6:4. Paul was doing this and commented on it in Phil 3:10-12.
Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
This means that Here Paul is speaking about the resurrection of Jesus’ followers on earth.
This is a spiritual resurrection or the first resurrection, Rev 20:5 and 6.
1Co 15:20 ¶ But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept.
1Co 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Paul likens being “made alive” to the resurrection of the dead. This is important because as the bible teaches us, we are “made alive” during this lifetime. Romans 6:4 describes this as “walking in newness of life”.
Ro 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so, (in the same manner) we also should walk in newness of life.
Buried in Baptism suggests an appeal (to God) for a clear conscience 1 Pet 3:21.
1Pe 3:21 (RSV) Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Confusing the resurrection with something that happens after we leave the “Earth” is the source of many problems.
Remembering that Jesus was crucified and died and rose again while on the earth solves many of these problems.
1Co 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
Paul tells us in verse 23 that the Second Coming occurs when a person is made alive or resurrected on earth.
Paul here uses the phrase “made alive” to identify the time of the Second Coming of Christ.
Being Baptized or “burying the Old Man or Planting a seed” and being made alive or resurrected happen at the same time. They are simultaneous and are the same concepts in Paul’s mind, refer to Col 3:1 where Paul employs this thought.
This of course tells us that Paul endorsed a Spiritual Second coming as is mentioned in Acts 3:19-21.
He tells us in His letters to the Ephesians and Colossians that this had already happened to His students.
Eph 2:5 (ASV) even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved).
Col 3:1 ¶ If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
This process is also illustrated in Acts 3:19-21.
According to the Apostle Paul, the Second Coming has already happened in the lives of those who were alive and had responded to His message about Jesus.
When Jesus comes into a person’s heart that person is resurrected/made alive/saved as Paul references in, Col 3:1.
Col 3:1 ¶ If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
God’s parable system has concealed these truths from those who are not intended to understand them, Matt 13:11-12.
2Co 4:3 (TCNT) And, even if the Good News that we bring is veiled, it is veiled only in the case of those who are on the path to Ruin.
We simply have to cooperate with God’s grace and deny ungodliness (Titus 2:11-12) and God will bring about this process in our lives.
Tit 2:11 ¶ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, {hath…: or, to all men,
Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.
God’s grace has appeared to all men, but to obtain that grace from God a person needs to humble themselves before Him, James 4:6.
Jas 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Paul said in verse 1 that He is declaring the Gospel or good news. He begins by citing “Jesus’ resurrection” from the dead and then compares that to His fighting beasts (Demons) in verse 32.
1Co 15:24 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.
1Co 15:29 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?
He then continues the topic of “a resurrection similar to Jesus’ resurrection” in verse 1 Cor 15:29 where He says “else” meaning that “if this resurrection does not occur then why are they baptized into Jesus death to sin (Rm 6:10-12), and spiritually fight “wild beasts” (v32) to do what is right in God’s eyes.
1Co 15:30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?
1Co 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
1Co 15:32 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 tomorrow we die.
In verse 31 Paul equates the resurrection of Jesus with His symbolic dying to the flesh (Nature to sin) daily, and with being in jeopardy (v30).
The Christian resurrection is in verse 32 also likened to fighting beasts (Enemies of God). This refers to resisting sin as is shown in Heb 12:4.
Heb 12:4 (RSV) In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
Using these personal references Paul refers to baptism for the dead and the problems a Christian will face as they undergo this process of fighting to die to fleshly motivations, Rm 6:2-6.
Ro 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
He contrasts this battle with His understanding of His spiritual baptism and consequent resurrection, and says “If this is not so” why do we battle beasts in the spiritual realm?
His Baptism includes fighting “Beasts” of a spiritual nature.
Why are people being baptized for the dead (trying to stop sinning, (refer to Phil 3:10-21) and identifying with the death of Jesus if He did not rise from the dead?
At this point, it becomes clear that the singular event of water baptism symbolizes the continual death and resurrection process or being immersed into the Spirit of God and becoming empowered to do what is right in God’s eyes during this earthly Christian life.
When using the word “sleep” it can be seen that Paul has a pattern of referring to death either as a condition of spiritual unawareness, or one of physical death.
1Co 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
Eph 5:14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
He leaves it to the reader to follow His thinking and determine which form of death He is speaking of.
He says He dies daily and implies that the battle with beasts and being in Jeopardy are outward signs of the Baptism that He is undergoing. Since He says He dies yet continues to fight it is clear that in this case spiritual death is referred to.
The result of a successful battle is a resurrection into life.
1Co 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
1 Co 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
In 1 Cor 15:34, He says to awake to righteousness and sin not.
Paul associates Christian baptism with the death to the flesh nature and the resurrection into life.
Death to sin is here compared to planting or sowing (burying the seed) in 1 Cor 15:34-38 and resurrection is compared to the different body which God gives to each seed.
Jesus Himself possesses a spiritual body while on earth –
Php 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
I have used the phrase “while on earth” because Paul has also stated that we have no body after we have no body after physical death, 2 Cor 5:8.
2Co 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
1Co 15:35 ¶ But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
Ro 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Again it is clear from Rm 6:4 that Christians begin this resurrection (raising) of the body on earth when they are made alive.
Col 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (KJV)
Ro 6:5 For if we have been planted (Buried) together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.
1Co 15:36 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.
Verse 38 tells us that the seed is that which is inside the 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.
Here we see that God gives the indwelling seed a flesh body and Paul also states that we will be absent from the body when we are present with the Lord.
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.
Verse 40 shows that there are both spiritual bodies and earthly bodies.
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.
1Co 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption
Paul refers to differing states of glory comparing that to differing degrees of incorruption.
The incorruption of the individual stars differs as they in their corrupt state individually put on incorruption.
Sowing the seed while in a state of corruption and resurrecting the seed in an uncorrupted state.
This speaks of denying ungodliness and being saved by cooperating with God’s grace.
Common theology would suggest that “clothing oneself with” or “being transformed into” an incorruptible state is something that happens after physical death.
This cannot be the explanation, however, because the “Corrupt” state must clothe itself with the state of “incorruption”.
After we die, we are not subject to moral corruption, so this process of putting something on cannot refer to something that happens after physical death.
This suggests that the process of being clothed with Christ or incorruption happens during a Christian’s lifetime and involves the process of ceasing from sin or being baptized into Christ.
This process of resurrection into newness of life or baptism (Burying and raising) can be interrupted by willful sin as Heb 10:26 illustrates.
Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
As He compares the Believer’s “Resurrection” to that of Jesus in 1 Thessalonians 4:14, He tells us what happens if a Christian willfully practices sin after they have come to faith in Christ. Paul refers to sleep as a condition of the living because the “sleeping” state referred to here is seen to be a voluntary condition or “spiritual passivity” or unawareness in 1 Thess 5:6.
1Th 4:13 ¶ But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
In 1 Thess 5:6-10, Paul associates those suffering the wrath of God with those sleeping or involved in willful sin. Willful sin is the abomination that causes God to bring about desolation. Romans says that the wrath of God is revealed against ungodliness, Rm 1:18. The wrath of God is literally what Christians are “Saved from”.
Ro 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.
This form of sleep, in Paul’s mind, represented unconfessed sinfulness.
1Th 5:6 ¶ Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 1Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
When all sin has been forgiven the person is “Awake”.
1Co 15:43 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.
Adam had the earthly body after His sin and Jesus (having never sinned) had the spiritual body.
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,
Verse 51 refers to spiritual death as it is referred to in 1 Thess 4:16. Scripture says that all will die physically in Heb 9:27.
Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
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.
The “twinkling” is the casting of the eye at the “Last Trumpet”.
It is an uninterrupted gaze at Jesus.
This is how we appeal to God to bring this transformation about in our lives.
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.
In verse 1 Cor 15:58 He says that we have to “labor” or “work” to put on incorruption. In other words, Christians need to fight the beasts and stop sinning. This is literal Christian baptism, being baptized into Christ is similar to how people were baptized into Moses in the desert, 1 Cor 10:2.
1Co 10:2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.
Just to address the “we don’t have to work for salvation” opinion, remember all scriptural references to “not working” refer to not doing the “works of the law”. In other words, “not sacrificing an animal to obtain forgiveness”. This does not mean we do not have to work for our salvation as is falsely claimed. We need to work out our salvation, Phil 2:12, Acts 26:20, and Rev 2:5.
Php 2:12 ¶ Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Ac 26:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do “works” meet for repentance.
Re 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first “works”, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
The common objection to the concept of Christians working out their salvation is found in Eph 2:8-9.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of “works”, lest any man should boast.
Christians must “Work” for their salvation, but they are incapable of doing what God’s grace does. They cannot teach themselves to deny ungodliness, Titus 2:11-12.
The works we are capable of doing represent our “Appeal to God for a clear conscience”, 1 Peter 3:21.
1Pe 3:21 (RSV) Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Our Human efforts at righteousness cannot bring about the transformation into Christlikeness, only God’s grace can do this.
Our efforts can only represent an appeal to God to make us righteous or right in His eyes.
Our ceasing from sin or “burying the seed” and putting the old man to death/dying to the flesh nature serves as our request that Jesus baptize us (immerse us) with His Holy Spirit.
Our efforts serve as an appeal for the transformation or baptism that only God’s grace can bring about.
Losing one’s life is a definite “work” as is mentioned in Mark 8:35.
Mr 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.
The reason that some people use these verses to suggest that we do not have to “work out our salvation” is because they misunderstand the concept of God’s grace.
Misguided people understand God’s Grace to be the “acceptance of sinners” rather than His instructing them on How to deny sin.
God’s Grace is not His acceptance of sinners. It is His power to change them into obedient people.
Of course, God accepts sinners but He accepts them and then His grace teaches them to stop sinning.
The concept of God’s grace is His active instruction on how to deny ungodliness, Titus 2:11-12.
Tit 2:11 ¶ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
In Eph 2:8 and 9, we can see that “we are saved by (God’s) Grace” and not by our works. What this means is that Only God’s grace can teach us to deny ungodliness.
Citing God’s grace in these verses does not suggest that He accepts sin, but that He teaches people to overcome it.
1 Corinthians 15:50-53 is about the spiritual transformation of a Christian.
In verse 51 we see that whether a Christian overcomes the flesh nature, or they sleep/backslide (1 Thess 5:10) and do not overcome the flesh nature they will live with Jesus based on their faith in Him.
We cannot learn to deny ungodliness apart from His teaching us to do it. We are not capable of teaching ourselves to deny ungodliness.
1Co 15:50 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.
Specifically, their transformation from corruptible to incorruptible.
Verse 54 shows that the mortal (our present condition) must put on immortality, and the seed or soul is planted. A mortal/corupible person must do this. This shows that it happens during this lifetime and not after physical death.
The method that the Corinthians must employ to put on the immortality of spirit can be seen in verse 52.
The Greek word translated as “twinkling” (Strong’s #4493) can mean “to cast”.
The word translated “in a moment” (Strong’s Greek word # 823) can mean “undivided”.
This transformation is accomplished through an undivided gaze at Jesus.
The “undivided casting of the eye” or uninterrupted attention directed towards the sound of the trumpet will bring about this transformation.
Just as when Peter walked on the water as long as His attention was fixed upon Jesus, Matt 14:25-33.
The trumpet is of course the message or voice of Christ, as can be seen from Revelation 1:10-11.
An undivided “casting of the eye” “or gaze” (# 4493) at Jesus (the sound of the trumpet) will bring about this transformation from corruptible to incorruptible. this is similar to when Peter walked on water as long as He looked at Jesus, Matt 14:29.
This illustrates the process of a Christian being conformed to the “image” of incorruption or the image of Christ Jesus.
Jesus of course, had an incorruptible Spirit (He did not sin), while He was in the Body. His Flesh and blood did not inherit the kingdom of God, which is righteousness Joy, and peace (Rm 14:17), His Spirit inherited it.
Ro 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Verses 55-58 indicate that this transformation happens progressively as the Christian stops sinning.
1Co 15:55 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 steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
God’s grace teaches them to deny ungodliness and stop sinning thereby “putting on incorruption” (Titus 2:11-12) as they fix their eyes on Jesus.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:16 we see the same sort of trumpet blown, however this time the sound of the trumpet (more specifically the intervention of the Lord) is used to wake the sleeping or willfully sinful brethren as the so-called Rapture parable illustrates.
In verse 58 Paul tells those He is writing to that their “labor/work” is not in vain. Whether they completely overcome the flesh nature or not their labor towards that end or goal is not in vain.
The willfully sinful “sleeping” brother or sister in Christ is awakened by God in 1 Thess 4:13 -5:8 when they stop the willfully sin.
They do this through the Lord’s intervention or “discipline” (the time of discipline is referred to as the “Day of the Lord”).
A Christian’s transformation from corruptible to incorruptible can resume when they stop willful sin.
After the discipline referred to as the “Day of the Lord” the Christian who has stopped willfully sinning joins the brethren who “remained” faithful to Christ (successfully resisted willfully sinning) in the air (where the devil is the prince of the power of the air), 1 Thess 4:17.
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
They join the brethren who have remained faithful to Christ “in the “air” indicating that this process which can be referred to as “discipline for correction” happens during this present life on earth.