Observe here, 1. The subject-matter of St. Paul's preaching to the Corinthians: it was the gospel. I DECLARE UNTO YOU THE GOSPEL WHICH. PREACHED; and particularly the doctrine of the body's resurrection, which was. great point of that gospel which he had preached and delivered to them. Observe, 2.... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, The apostle's fidelity, 1. In delivering nothing to the church but what he had received: I DELIVERED TO YOU FIRST OF ALL THAT WHICH. ALSO RECEIVED; either mediately by Ananias, or by immediate revelation from Christ himself. Observe, 2. The principal and fundamental doctrines or arti... [ Continue Reading ]
As Christ was seen of St. Paul last of all the apostles, so it is probable he was seen last by him, of all persons. We read not of any that saw Christ after St. Stephen and St. Paul, who here reckons himself among those who were eye-witnesses of the risen Jesus: LAST OF ALL HE WAS SEEN OF ME ALSO.... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The profound humility of this great apostle, and how low he was in his own thoughts: he calls himself THE LEAST OF THE APOSTLES, nay, NOT MEET or worthy to be called an apostle, because he had persecuted the church of Christ with so much fury and fierceness. Elsewhere he styles hims... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle having asserted and proved the resurrection of Christ by ocular demonstration, by. plentiful testimony of those who saw him after he was risen, and withal informed them that this was the doctrine of the gospel which both he and the rest of the apostles had with one consent preached to th... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The resurrection of Christ declared: NOW IS CHRIST RISEN FROM THE DEAD. 2. Our resurrection from his is inferred and insured: he arose AS THE FIRST-FRUITS OF THEM THAT SLEPT. The term of first-fruits in the Levitical law, Leviticus 23:10. These were offered both as an acknowledgmen... [ Continue Reading ]
Here observe, That our apostle, to prove Christ's resurrection to be the cause of our resurrection, makes. comparison betwixt Adam and Christ, whom he represents as two originals and fountains, the one of death the other of life. As by Adam's sin all that are partakers of his human nature die. natur... [ Continue Reading ]
Here our apostle answers an objection. Some might say, If Christ's resurrection be the cause of the believer's resurrection, then why did not all believers rise when he arose? The Head being risen, why did not all the members rise with him? He answers, No: God hath appointed an order which must be... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. What sin had subjected the human nature to, and that is, death; sin brought mortality into our natures, and the wages of sin is death. Observe, 2. That death is an enemy to humanity, an enemy to the whole race of mankind, both to body and soul, to the righteous and to the wicked; t... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle here proceeds in the argument which he begun at the 24th and 25th verses, that Christ must continue as Mediator to reign till all things are subject to him, and all enemies subdued by him. This the apostle here proves, because God the Father has put all things, and all persons, under hi... [ Continue Reading ]
Expositors do vary exceedingly in the sense and interpretation of this difficult text: some understand it of. sacramental, some of. funeral, and some of. metaphorical baptism or washing. Those who understand it as. sacramental baptizing, say, that the BAPTIZED FOR THE DEAD, are those who are baptiz... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle is still arguing for the belief of the resurrection of the dead, and seems to speak here after this manner: what folly would it be in us Christians, to choose. religion that exposes us continually to death and danger? Why should we run the hazard of the loss of estate, liberty, and life... [ Continue Reading ]
The apostle had mentioned his sufferings in general, in the former verses, to testify his belief and hope of. future resurrection: here he relates one particular kind and manner of suffering; namely, his FIGHTING WITH BEASTS AT EPHESUS. To what purpose had he that mighty struggle there, and ran such... [ Continue Reading ]
Here the apostle advises them to take heed of being corrupted in their manners by such wicked principles as epicures would be ready to instill into them. Ill words draw persons on to ill deeds; therefore, says he, look to your communication and discourse, take heed of debauching your morals by evil... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle, having fully proved the doctrine of the resurrection of the body, in the foregoing part of the chapter, comes next to answer the objections that might be made against the body's resurrection. And first, That it seems impossible that the dead should rise: to this he answers, That it is a... [ Continue Reading ]
St. Paul here proceeds farther to answer the question which the philosophers at Corinth put, namely, with what bodies do persons come forth out of the grave? He tells them, they shall be vastly different in qualities from what they are at present; and this he illustrates by similitude. As, says he,... [ Continue Reading ]
Here the apostle gives. fourfold instance of the body's different qualities in the resurrection: IT IS SOWN IN CORRUPTION; that is, it is here. frail mortal body, subject to putrefaction; but when raised shall be INCORRUPTIBLE, that is, never more subject to death or dissolution. It is here. vile bo... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. Our apostle draws. parallel between the TWO ADAMS, the first man and Christ; they were two roots and distinct fountains, from whence all life did spring and flow; all natural life from the first Adam, all spiritual life from Christ the second Adam; THE FIRST ADAM WAS MADE. LIVING SO... [ Continue Reading ]
By FLESH AND BLOOD, here, we are to understand our bodies in their present natural, corruptible, and mortal state. Such flesh and blood as ours is at present, unchanged, and unclothed with its heavenly body, CANNOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD; that is, it cannot possibly enter into heaven, and bear t... [ Continue Reading ]
Here the apostle answers. third objection: some might say, What shall become of those who shall be found alive at Christ's coming? He answers, they shall not die or sleep, but yet shall undergo. change as well as those that rise from the dead, these shall have flesh and blood changed into spiritual... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, The identical expressions used by the apostle: he doth not say, corruptible must put on incorruption, and mortal must put on immortality, but THIS corruptible and THIS mortal, to show the identity and sameness of it.. believe the resurrection of THIS body, said the primitive Christians... [ Continue Reading ]
Here observe, 1. The happy condition of believers in the glorious morning of the resurrection, when their corruptible bodies shall be made by the power of Christ incorruptible and immortal: THEN SHALL DEATH BE SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY; that is, be overcome for ever, never to destroy or hurt any more,... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. Death has its sting.. sting has. threefold property, to pierce, to pain, and to poison: all which were applicable unto death. Observe, 2. Death's sting is sin, or death has its sting upon the account of sin. Sin, like. sting, pierces; it pierces us in its guilt, it pierced Christ i... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THANKS BE TO GOD, WHICH GIVETH US THE VICTORY-- Over sin, death, and the law. THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. That is, through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Observe here, 1. An enemy encountered, death: death armed by sin, and strengthened by the law.. This is often. surp... [ Continue Reading ]
Here our apostle concludes this chapter, and closes his discourse on this great subject, the doctrine of the body's resurrection, with an exhortation to duty. BE YE STEADFAST; that is, in the faith of the gospel in general, and in the belief of this particular article of our Christian faith, the res... [ Continue Reading ]