CHAPTER XV. _The Gospel which the apostle preached to the Corinthians; viz._ _that Christ died for our sins, and rose again the third day_, 1-4. _The witnesses of his resurrection, Peter, James, and more than_ _five hundred brethren_, 5-7. _Lastly, Paul himself saw him, and was called by him t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 15:2. _BY WHICH ALSO YE ARE SAVED_] That is, ye are now in a salvable state; and are saved from your Gentilism, and from your former sins. _IF YE KEEP IN MEMORY_] Your future salvation, or being brought finally to glory, will now depend on your _faithfulness_ to the grace that y... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 15:3. _FOR I DELIVERED UNTO YOU FIRST OF ALL_] εν προτοις. As the _chief things_, or matters of the greatest importance; fundamental truths. _THAT WHICH I - RECEIVED_] By revelations from God himself, and not from man. _THAT CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS_] The death of Jesus Christ,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 15:5. _THAT HE WAS SEEN OF CEPHAS, THEN OF THE TWELVE_] This refers to the journey to Emmaus, Luke 24:13, Luke 24:34; and to what is related Mark 16:14. _THEN OF THE TWELVE_] Instead of δωδεκα, _twelve_, ενδεκα, _eleven_, is the reading of D*EFG, _Syriac_ in the margin, some of... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 15:6. _ABOVE FIVE HUNDRED BRETHREN AT ONCE_] This was probably in _Galilee_, where our Lord had many disciples. See Matthew 28:16. What a remarkable testimony is this to the truth of our Lord's resurrection! _Five hundred_ persons saw him at one time; the greater part of whom wer... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 15:7. _AFTER THAT, HE WAS SEEN OF JAMES_] But _where_, and on what _occasion_, we are not told; nor indeed do we know which _James_ is intended; _James_ the son of _Zebedee_, or _James_ the son of _Alpheus_. But one thing is sufficiently evident, from what is here said, that this... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 15:8. _AND LAST OF ALL - OF ME ALSO_] It seems that it was essential to the character of a primitive _apostle_ that he had _seen_ and _conversed_ with Christ; and it is evident, from the history of Saul's conversion, Acts 9:4, where see the notes, that Jesus Christ did _appear_ t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 15:9. _I AM THE LEAST OF THE APOSTLES_] This was literally _true_ in reference to his being chosen _last_, and chosen not in the _number_ of the _twelve_, but as an _extra_ apostle. How much pains do some men take to make the apostle _contradict_ himself, by attempting to show th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 15:10. _BUT, BY THE GRACE OF GOD I AM WHAT I AM_] God, by his mere grace and good will, has called me to be an apostle, and has denominated me such. _AND HIS GRACE_, c.] Nor have I been unfaithful to the Divine call I used the grace which he gave me; and when my labours, travels... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 15:11. _WHETHER_ IT WERE _I OR THEY_] All the apostles of Christ agree in the same doctrines; we all preach _one_ and the _same_ _thing_; and, as we preached, so ye believed; having received from us the true apostolical faith, that Jesus died for our sins, and rose again for our... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 15:12. _NOW IF CHRIST BE PREACHED_, c.] Seeing it is true that we have thus preached Christ, and ye have credited this preaching, _how say some among you_, who have professed to receive this doctrine from us _that there is no resurrection of the dead_, though we have shown that _... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 15:13. _IF THERE BE NO RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD_] As Christ was partaker of the same _flesh_ and _blood_ with us, and he promised to raise mankind from the dead through his resurrection, _if the_ _dead rise not_ then Christ has had no resurrection. There seem to have been some at... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 15:14. _THEN_ IS _OUR PREACHING VAIN_] Our whole doctrine is useless, nugatory and false. _AND YOUR FAITH_ IS _ALSO VAIN._] Your belief of a false doctrine must necessarily be to you unprofitable.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 15:16. _FALSE WITNESSES_] As having testified the fact of Christ's resurrection, as a matter which ourselves had witnessed, when we knew that we bore testimony to a falsehood. But could five hundred persons agree in this imposition? And if they did, is it possible that some one w... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 17. _YE ARE YET IN YOUR SINS._] If Christ has not risen from the dead, there is no proof that he has not been _justly_ put to death. If _he_ were a _malefactor_, God would not work a miracle to raise him from the dead. If he has not been raised from the dead, there is a presumption that he has... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 18. _THEY ALSO WHICH ARE FALLEN ASLEEP_] All those who, either by _martyrdom_ or _natural death_, have departed in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, _are perished_; their hope was without _foundation_, and their faith had not _reason_ and _truth_ for its object. Their bodies are dissolved in... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 19. _IF IN THIS LIFE ONLY WE HAVE HOPE_] It would be better to translate and _point_ this verse as follows:- _And, if in this life we have hoped in Christ only, we are more_ _to be pitied than all men_. If, in this life, we have no other hope and confidence but in Christ, (and if he be still... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 20. _BUT NOW IS CHRIST RISEN_] On the contrary, Christ is raised from the dead, and is become the _first fruits of them that_ _slept_. His resurrection has been _demonstrated_, and our resurrection necessarily follows; as sure as the _first fruits_ are the proof that there is a _harvest_, so... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 21. _FOR SINCE BY MAN_ CAME _DEATH_] _Mortality_ came by Adam, _immortality_ by Christ; so sure as all have been subjected to natural death by Adam, so sure shall all be raised again by Christ Jesus. Mortality and immortality, on a general ground, are the subject of the apostle's reasoning her... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 23. _BUT EVERY MAN IN HIS OWN ORDER_] The apostle mentions _three_ orders here: 1. Christ, who rose from the dead by his own power. 2. Them that are Christ's; all his apostles, martyrs, confessors, and faithful followers. 3. Then cometh the _end_, when the whole mass shall be raised. Wheth... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 24. _WHEN HE SHALL HAVE DELIVERED UP THE KINGDOM_] The _mediatorial_ kingdom, which comprehends all the displays of his grace in saving sinners, and all his spiritual influence in governing the Church. _ALL RULE, AND ALL AUTHORITY AND POWER._] Αρχην - εξουσιαν - και δυναμιν. As the apostle i... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 25. _FOR HE MUST REIGN_, c.] This is according to the promise, Psalms 110:1: "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." Therefore the kingdom cannot be given up till all rule and government be cast down. So that while the world lasts, Jes... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 26. _THE LAST ENEMY_] Death, shall be destroyed; καταργειται, shall be _counter-worked, subverted_, and finally _overturned_. But death cannot be destroyed by there being simply no farther death; death can only be destroyed and annihilated by a _general resurrection_; if there be no general re... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 27. _FOR HE HATH PUT ALL THINGS UNDER HIS FEET_] The Father hath put all things under the feet of Christ according to the prophecy, Psalms 110:1. _HE IS EXCEPTED_] i.e. The _Father_, who hath put all things under him, the _Son_. This observation seems to be introduced by the apostle to show t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 28. _THE SON ALSO HIMSELF BE SUBJECT_] When the administration of the _kingdom of grace_ is finally closed; when there shall be no longer any state of _probation_, and consequently no longer need of a distinction between the _kingdom of grace_ and the _kingdom of glory_; then the Son, as bein... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 29. _ELSE WHAT SHALL THEY DO WHICH ARE BAPTIZED FOR THE_ _DEAD_] This is certainly the most difficult verse in the New Testament; for, notwithstanding the greatest and wisest men have laboured to explain it, there are to this day nearly as many different interpretations of it as there are inte... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 30. _AND WHY STAND WE IN JEOPARDY EVERY HOUR?_] Is there any reason why we should voluntarily _submit_ to so many _sufferings_, and every hour be in danger of losing our lives, if the dead rise not? On the conviction of the possibility and certainty of the resurrection, we are thus baptized fo... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 31. _I PROTEST BY YOUR REJOICING_] Νη την ὑμετεραν καυχησιν· _By your exaltation_ or _boasting_. Dr. Lightfoot understands this of "the _boasting_ of the Corinthians _against_ the apostle; that he considered himself continually trampled on by them; rejected and exposed to infamy and contempt... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 32. _IF, AFTER THE MANNER OF MEN_, c.] Much learned criticism has been employed on this verse, to ascertain whether it is to be understood _literally_ or _metaphorically_. Does the apostle mean to say that he had _literally_ fought with wild beasts at Ephesus? or, that he had met with brutish,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 33. _BE NOT DECEIVED_] Do not impose on yourselves, and permit not others to do it. _EVIL COMMUNICATIONS CORRUPT GOOD MANNERS._] There are many sayings like this among the Greek poets; but this of the apostle, and which according to the best MSS. makes an Iambic verse, is generally supposed t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 34. _AWAKE TO RIGHTEOUSNESS_] Shake off your slumber; awake fully, thoroughly, δικαιως, as ye _ought to do_: so the word should be rendered; not _awake to righteousness_. Be in earnest; do not trifle with God, your souls, and eternity. _SIN NOT_] For this will lead to the destruction both of... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 35. _BUT SOME_ MAN _WILL SAY_] αλλα ερει τις. It is very likely that the apostle, by τις _some, some one, some man_, means particularly the _false apostle_, or teacher at Corinth, who was chief in the opposition to the pure doctrine of the Gospel, and to whom, in this covert way, he often refe... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 36. THOU _FOOL_] αφρον. If this be addressed, as it probably is, to the _false apostle_, there is a peculiar propriety in it; as this man seems to have magnified his own wisdom, and set it up against both God and man; and none but a _fool_ could act so. At the same time, it is folly in _any_ t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 37. _THOU SOWEST NOT THAT BODY THAT SHALL BE_] This is decomposed, and becomes the means of nourishing the whole plant, _roots, stalk, leaves, ear_, and _full corn_ in the ear.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 38. _BUT GOD GIVETH IT A BODY_] And is there any other way of accounting for it but by the miraculous working of God's power? For out of that one bare grain is produced a system of _roots_, a tall and vigorous _stalk_, with all its appendages of _leaves_, c., besides the full corn in the ear... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 39. _ALL FLESH IS NOT THE SAME FLESH_] Though the organization of all animals is, in its general principles, the same, yet there are no _two_ different kinds of _animals_ that have flesh of the same flavour, whether the animal be _beast, fowl_, or _fish_. And this is precisely the same with _v... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 40. THERE ARE _ALSO CELESTIAL BODIES, AND BODIES_ _terrestrial_] The apostle certainly does not speak of _celestial_ and _terrestrial bodies_ in the sense in which we use those terms: we invariably mean by the former the _sun, moon, planets_, and _stars_; by the latter, masses of _inanimate ma... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 41. THERE IS _ONE GLORY OF THE SUN_] As if he had said: This may be illustrated by the present _appearance_ of the celestial bodies which belong to our system. The _sun_ has a greater degree of splendour than the _moon_; the moon than the _planets_; and the planets than the _stars_. And even i... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 42. _SO ALSO IS THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD._] That is, the bodies of the dead, though all immortal, shall possess different degrees of _splendour_ and _glory_, according to the state of holiness in which their respective souls were found. The rabbins have some crude notions concerning differ... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 43. _IT IS SOWN IN DISHONOUR_] Being now stripped of all the glory it had as a machine, fearfully and wonderfully made by the hands of God; and also consigned to death and destruction _because of sin_. This is the most _dishonourable_ circumstance. _IT IS RAISED IN GLORY_] It is raised a glor... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 44. _IT IS SOWN A NATURAL BODY_] σωμα ψυχικον. An _animal_ _body_, having a multiplicity of _solids_ and _fluids_ of different kinds, with different functions; composed of muscles, fibres, tendons, cartilages, bones, arteries, veins, nerves, blood, and various juices, requiring continual suppo... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 45. _THE FIRST MAN ADAM WAS MADE A LIVING SOUL_] These forms of expression are also common among the Jews: hence we find אדם הראשון _Adam harishon_, "Adam the first;" and אדם קדמאי _Adam_ _kadmai_, " Adam the last." They assert that there are two Adams: 1. The _mystical_ heavenly Adam; and 2.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 46. _THAT WAS NOT FIRST WHICH IS SPIRITUAL_] The _natural_ or _animal_ body, described 1 Corinthians 15:44, was the _first_; it was the body with which Adam was _created_. The _spiritual body_ is the _last_, and is that with which the _soul_ is to be clothed in the _resurrection_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 47. _THE FIRST MAN_ IS _OF THE EARTH_] That is: Adam's body was made out of the _dust of the earth_; and hence the apostle says he was χοικος, _of the dust_; for the body was made עפר מן האדמה _aphar min ha-adamah, dust from the ground_; Genesis 2:7. _THE SECOND MAN_ IS - _FROM HEAVEN._] _He... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 48. _AS_ IS _THE EARTHY_, C.] As Adam was, who was formed from the earth, so are all his descendants frail, decaying, and subject to death. _AS_ IS _THE HEAVENLY_] As is the heavenly state of Adam and all glorified beings, so shall be the state of all those who, at the resurrection, are found... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 49. _AND AS WE HAVE BORNE THE IMAGE OF THE EARTHY_] As being descendants from Adam we have all been born in his likeness, and subject to the same kind of corruption, disgrace, and death; we shall also be raised to a life immortal, such as he now enjoys in the kingdom of God. This interpretatio... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 50. _FLESH AND BLOOD CANNOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM_] This is a _Hebrew_ periphrasis for _man_, and _man_ in his present state of _infirmity_ and _decay_. Man, in his present state, cannot inherit the kingdom of God; his nature is not suited to that place; he could not, in his present _weak state_... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 51. _I SHOW YOU A MYSTERY_] That is, a thing which you have never known before. But what is this _mystery_? Why, that _we_ _shall not all sleep_; we shall not all _die_; but we shall all be _changed_: of this the Jews had not _distinct_ notions. For, as flesh and blood cannot inherit glory, an... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 52. _IN A MOMENT_] ενατομω. _In an atom_; that is, an _indivisible_ point of time. _In the twinkling of an eye_; as soon as a man can _wink_; which expressions show that this mighty work is to be done by the almighty power of God, as he does all his works, He _calls_, and it is _done_. The res... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 53. _FOR THIS CORRUPTIBLE_, c.] Because flesh and blood cannot inherit glory therefore, there must be a refinement by _death_, or a _change_ without it.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 54. _DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY._] Κατεποθη ὁ θανατος εις νικος. These words are a quotation from Isaiah 25:8, where the Hebrew is בלע המות לנצח _billa hammaveth lanetsach: He_ (God) _hath swallowed up death in victory_; or, _for ever_. These words in the _Septuagint_ are thus translat... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 55. _O DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING? O GRAVE, WHERE IS THY_ _VICTORY?_] Που σου, Θανατε, το κεντρον· που σου, ᾁδη, το νικος· These words are generally supposed to be taken from Hosea 13:14, where the Hebrew text stands thus: אהי דבריך מות אהי קטבך שאול _ehi debareyca maueth; ehikatabca sheol_:... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 56. _THE STING OF DEATH_ IS _SIN_] The apostle explains himself particularly here: death could not have entered into the world if sin had not entered _first_; it was _sin_ that not only introduced _death_, but has armed him with all his _destroying_ force; the _goad_ or _dagger_ of death is _s... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 57. _BUT THANKS_ BE _TO GOD_] What the law could not do, because it is _law_, (and law cannot provide _pardon_,) is done by the _Gospel_ of our Lord Jesus Christ: he has _died_ to slay death; he has _risen_ again to bring mankind from under the empire of _hades_. All this he has done through h... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Corinthians 15:58. _BE YE STEADFAST_] εδραιοι, from εδρα, a _seat_; be settled; confide in the truth of this doctrine of the resurrection, and every thing that pertains to it, as confidently as a man _sits_ down on a SEAT, which he knows to be solid, firm, and safe; and on which he has often... [ Continue Reading ]