Greek philosophers looked down on the physical and elevated the spiritual. The goal of life, as they saw it, was to free the pure soul from the weak and impure body.

The church of Corinth, unfortunately, was being affected by people who thought like this (1 Corinthians 15:33). Some in the church were saying that the resurrection of the dead was not going to happen (v. 12). Some even believed that since the Holy Spirit was giving them heavenly languages, spiritual life, and power now, their souls were already free, and the future physical resurrection of the dead was unnecessary and undesirable.¹⁴

But Paul sees things very differently. The resurrection is not an optional extra, but essential to the faith (vv. 3-4). If there is no resurrection, that means Jesus is dead, not alive (v. 13). And if Jesus is dead, there is no good news to proclaim, and our faith in Him is hollow (v. 14). It also means that the apostles are false witnesses (v. 15), we are still in our sins (v. 17), and those who have died are lost forever (v. 18). If there is no resurrection, then believers should be pitied (v. 19), because they've given up so much to follow a dead Saviour!

Yet, Paul insists, Christ has indeed been raised, and His resurrection is just the ″firstfruits″ of a great harvest of resurrections to come (v. 20). Linked to Jesus by faith, we will experience the same resurrection He went through.

Because we all come from the first man, Adam, who rebelled against God, we will all die (v. 21). Death was God's judgment on Adam's turning away and we all have to endure it. But now, because of Jesus, we ″will be made alive″ (v. 22). Our resurrection, Paul points out, doesn't occur now, but when Christ returns (v. 23). Then ″the end will come″, which will be marked by His defeat of all hostile powers and His handing over the kingdom to God the Father (v. 24).

In verse 29, Paul refers to baptism ″for the dead″, which seems to be something they were doing. He says this not because he approves of it, but as a way of tripping them up. Why do some of them, he asks, do this strange thing if, in fact, their dead friends are never going to be raised anyway? Why do the apostles risk their lives every day if there's no resurrection (vv. 30-32)? Why not just live for the here and now, and for yourself (v. 32)? The Corinthians need to come to their senses and see how people with harmful ideas are leading them into sin and away from God (vv. 33-34).

Heavenly Father, thank You that Jesus was raised and, one day, I will be too! Thank You for Your Son who has blazed the trail to a new and exciting world. Help me to look forward to this fantastic future.