Day 158: NT 1 Corinthians C15-16 (END); Resurrection; I Die Daily; I Rise a Spiritual Body!

The First Epistle of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians is pure gold in terms of a source of spiritual insight, understanding, and wisdom!

As such it is presented verbatim in its entirety below with highlighted words and phrase that touch my heart, my soul or raised questions in my consciousness.

In Resurrection; I die daily; I rise a spiritual body!

Christ’s Resurrection:

Now I recall to your minds, brethren, the gospel that I preached to you, which also you received, wherein also you stand, through which also you are being saved, if you hold it fast, as I preached to you—unless you have believed to no purpose. For I delivered to you first of all, what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again of the third day, according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and after that to the Eleven. Then he was seen by more than five hundred brethren at one time, many of whom are with us still, but some have fallen asleep. After that he was seen by James, then by all the apostles. And last of all, as by one born out of due time, he was also seen by me. For I am the least of the apostles, and am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been fruitless—in fact I have labored more than any of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. Whether than it is I or they, so we preach, and so you have believed.

The False Doctrine:

Now if Christ is preached as risen from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ risen; and if Christ has not risen, vain then is our preaching, vain too is your faith. Yes, and we have found false witnesses as to God, in that we have borne witness against God that he raised Christ—whom he did not raise, if the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, neither has Christ risen; and if Christ has not risen, vain is your faith, for you are still in your sins. Hence they also who have fallen asleep in Christ, have perished. If with this life only in view we have had hope in Christ, we are of all men the most to be pitied.

Christ the First-Fruits:

But as it is, Christ has risen from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also comes resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made to live. But each in his own turn, Christ as first-fruits, then they who are Christ’s, who have believed, at his coming. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when he does away with all sovereignty, authority and power. For he must reign, until “he has put all his enemies under his feet.” And the last enemy to be destroyed will be death, for “he has put all things under his feet.” But when he says all things are subject to him, undoubtedly he is excepted who has subjected all things to him. And when all things are made subject to him, then the Son himself will also be made subject to him who subjected all things to him, that God may be all in all.

Practical Faith:

Else what shall they do who receive Baptism for the dead? If the dead do not rise at all, why then do people receive Baptism for them? And we, why do we stand in jeopardy every hour? I die daily, I affirm it, by the very pride that I take in you, brethren, in Christ Jesus our Lord. If, as men do, I fought the beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead do not rise, “let us eat and drink for tomorrow we shall die.” Do not be led astray, “evil companionships corrupt good morals.” Awake as you should, and do not sin; for some have no knowledge of God. To your shame I say so.

The Mode of the Resurrection:

But some will say, “How do the dead rise? Or with what kind of body do they come?” Senseless man, what thou thyself sowest is not brought to life, unless it dies. And when thou sowest, thou does not sow the body that shall be, but a bare grain, perhaps of wheat or something else. Bit God give it a body even as he has willed, and to each of the seeds a body of its own. All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, another of beasts, another of birds, another of fishes. There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but of one kind is the glory of the heavenly, of another kind, the glory of the earthly. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. So also with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown in corruption rises in incorruption; what is sown in dishonor rises in glory; what is sown in weakness rises in power; what is sown a natural body rises a spiritual body.

The Natural and the Spiritual Body:

If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So also it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living soul”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that comes first, but the physical, and then the spiritual. The first man was of the earth, earthly; the second man is from heaven, heavenly. As was the earthly men, such also are the heavenly. Therefore, even as we have borne the likeness of the earthly, let us bear also the likeness of the heavenly.

Final Glory of the Body:

Now this I say brethren, that flesh and blood can obtain no part in the kingdom of God, neither shall corruption have any part in incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: we shall all indeed rise, but we shall not all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead rise incorruptible and we shall be changed. For this corruptible body must put on incorruption, and this mortal body must put on immortality. But when this mortal body puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the word that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory! O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?” Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law. But thanks be to God who has given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

The Collection:

Now concerning the collection being made for the saints, as I have ordered the churches of Galatia, do you also. On the first day of the week, let each one of you put aside at home and lay up whatever he has a mind to, so that the collections may not have to be made after I have come. But when I am with you, whomever you may authorize by giving credentials, them I will send to carry your gift to Jerusalem. And if it is important enough for me also to go, they shall go with me.

St. Paul’s Plans:

But I shall come to you after passing through Macedonia (for I mean to pass through Macedonia); but with you I shall perhaps remain or even winter, so that you may speed me wherever I may be going. For I do not wish to see you just now in passing by, for I hope to stay some time with you, if the Lord permits. But I shall stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost. For a door has been opened to me, great and evident, and there are many adversaries. Now if Timothy comes, see that he be with you without fear, for he works the work of the Lord just as I do. Therefore, let no one despise him, but speed him on his way in peace that he may come to me, for I am awaiting him with the brethren. With regard to our brother Apollos, I earnestly besought him to come to you with the brethren, and he was quite unwilling to come at present; but he will come when he has leisure.

Final Directions:

Watch, stand fast in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in charity. Now I beseech you, brethren—you know that the household of Stephanas and of Fortunatus are the first-fruits of Achaia, and have devoted themselves to the service of the saints—to such as these do you also be subject, and to every helper and worker. I rejoice at the presence of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because what was lacking on your part they have supplied; for they have refreshed both my spirit and yours. To such as these, therefore, give recognition.

Greetings:

The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla with the church at their house greet you heartily in the Lord. All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. I Paul greet you, with my own hand. If any man does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema. Maranatha. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. My love is with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

In Resurrection; I die daily; I rise a spiritual body!

Day 158: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; In Resurrection; I Die Daily; I Rise a Spiritual Body!

Read and inspired by the New Testament, The First Epistle of Saint Paul to the Corinthians, Chapters 15-16 (END).

Bible Notes:

Saint Paul in this letter to the Christians of Corinth denounces certain abuses, e.g., rivalries among themselves, incest, appealing to pagan courts, and fornication. He then answers questions they had proposed to him on marriage and celibacy, on eating the meats offered to idols, on abuses in the celebration of the Eucharist, on various gifts of the Holy Spirit, and on the future resurrection.

1 Corinthians Chapter 15:  Christ’s Resurrection; The false doctrine; Christ the first-fruits; Practical faith; The mode of the Resurrection; The natural and the spiritual body; Final glory of the body.

Christ’s Resurrection:

Now I recall to your minds, brethren, the gospel that I preached to you, which also you received, wherein also you stand, through which also you are being saved, if you hold it fast, as I preached to you—unless you have believed to no purpose. For I delivered to you first of all, what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again of the third day, according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and after that to the Eleven. Then he was seen by more than five hundred brethren at one time, many of whom are with us still, but some have fallen asleep. After that he was seen by James, then by all the apostles. And last of all, as by one born out of due time, he was also seen by me. For I am the least of the apostles, and am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been fruitless—in fact I have labored more than any of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. Whether than it is I or they, so we preach, and so you have believed.

The False Doctrine:

Now if Christ is preached as risen from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ risen; and if Christ has not risen, vain then is our preaching, vain too is your faith. Yes, and we have found false witnesses as to God, in that we have borne witness against God that he raised Christ—whom he did not raise, if the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, neither has Christ risen; and if Christ has not risen, vain is your faith, for you are still in your sins. Hence they also who have fallen asleep in Christ, have perished. If with this life only in view we have had hope in Christ, we are of all men the most to be pitied.

Christ the First-Fruits:

But as it is, Christ has risen from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also comes resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made to live. But each in his own turn, Christ as first-fruits, then they who are Christ’s, who have believed, at his coming. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when he does away with all sovereignty, authority and power. For he must reign, until “he has put all his enemies under his feet.” And the last enemy to be destroyed will be death, for “he has put all things under his feet.” But when he says all things are subject to him, undoubtedly he is excepted who has subjected all things to him. And when all things are made subject to him, then the Son himself will also be made subject to him who subjected all things to him, that God may be all in all.

Practical Faith:

Else what shall they do who receive Baptism for the dead? If the dead do not rise at all, why then do people receive Baptism for them? And we, why do we stand in jeopardy every hour? I die daily, I affirm it, by the very pride that I take in you, brethren, in Christ Jesus our Lord. If, as men do, I fought the beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead do not rise, “let us eat and drink for tomorrow we shall die.” Do not be led astray, “evil companionships corrupt good morals.” Awake as you should, and do not sin; for some have no knowledge of God. To your shame I say so.

The Mode of the Resurrection:

But some will say, “How do the dead rise? Or with what kind of body do they come?” Senseless man, what thou thyself sowest is not brought to life, unless it dies. And when thou sowest, thou does not sow the body that shall be, but a bare grain, perhaps of wheat or something else. Bit God give it a body even as he has willed, and to each of the seeds a body of its own. All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, another of beasts, another of birds, another of fishes. There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but of one kind is the glory of the heavenly, of another kind, the glory of the earthly. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. So also with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown in corruption rises in incorruption; what is sown in dishonor rises in glory; what is sown in weakness rises in power; what is sown a natural body rises a spiritual body.

The Natural and the Spiritual Body:

If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So also it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living soul”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that comes first, but the physical, and then the spiritual. The first man was of the earth, earthly; the second man is from heaven, heavenly. As was the earthly men, such also are the heavenly. Therefore, even as we have borne the likeness of the earthly, let us bear also the likeness of the heavenly.

Final Glory of the Body:

Now this I say brethren, that flesh and blood can obtain no part in the kingdom of God, neither shall corruption have any part in incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: we shall all indeed rise, but we shall not all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead rise incorruptible and we shall be changed. For this corruptible body must put on incorruption, and this mortal body must put on immortality. But when this mortal body puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the word that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory! O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?” Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law. But thanks be to God who has given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Corinthians Chapter 16:  The collection; St. Paul’s plans; Final directions; Greetings.

The Collection:

Now concerning the collection being made for the saints, as I have ordered the churches of Galatia, do you also. On the first day of the week, let each one of you put aside at home and lay up whatever he has a mind to, so that the collections may not have to be made after I have come. But when I am with you, whomever you may authorize by giving credentials, them I will send to carry your gift to Jerusalem. And if it is important enough for me also to go, they shall go with me.

St. Paul’s Plans:

But I shall come to you after passing through Macedonia (for I mean to pass through Macedonia); but with you I shall perhaps remain or even winter, so that you may speed me wherever I may be going. For I do not wish to see you just now in passing by, for I hope to stay some time with you, if the Lord permits. But I shall stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost. For a door has been opened to me, great and evident, and there are many adversaries. Now if Timothy comes, see that he be with you without fear, for he works the work of the Lord just as I do. Therefore, let no one despise him, but speed him on his way in peace that he may come to me, for I am awaiting him with the brethren. With regard to our brother Apollos, I earnestly besought him to come to you with the brethren, and he was quite unwilling to come at present; but he will come when he has leisure.

Final Directions:

Watch, stand fast in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in charity. Now I beseech you, brethren—you know that the household of Stephanas and of Fortunatus are the first-fruits of Achaia, and have devoted themselves to the service of the saints—to such as these do you also be subject, and to every helper and worker. I rejoice at the presence of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because what was lacking on your part they have supplied; for they have refreshed both my spirit and yours. To such as these, therefore, give recognition.

Greetings:

The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla with the church at their house greet you heartily in the Lord. All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. I Paul greet you, with my own hand. If any man does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema. Maranatha. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. My love is with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Anathema—a person or thing detested or loathed; a person or thing accursed or consigned to damnation or destruction; a formal ecclesiastical curse involving excommunication.

Maranatha—O Lord, come: used as an invocation in I Cor. 16:22.