I Corinthians Chp. 15 Vs. 20-44
Chp. 15 Vs. 20-44
Vs. 20 Now Christ is risen from the dead. He is the first fruit of those who “slept”.
The “first fruits” was the first handful of grain that was harvested. The Old Testament law said that they were to bring a small sheaf (handful) of grain from their fields, the day after the Sabbath day following the Passover.
This first handful of grain was brought to the temple and priest as an offering to God. It was a “thank-you” for the coming harvest. It was the “first” of what they expected to come.
Jesus in resurrecting (coming alive again) was a picture/example of what we could expect in the future for ourselves.
Jesus broke the power of sin and death over men. And as we believe in Jesus and what he did we, too, can have a resurrection of our bodies into a new heavenly kind of body and live forever in heaven.
Vs. 21 By man death came to man. Because of Adam’s sin death came to be over man because of his sin. By man life came to man. The “man” Jesus, came and brought life.
Vs. 22, 23 Christ rose up from the dead first then we who believe in Him we will rise up from the dead when Christ comes in the clouds and calls us to come forth.
I Thessalonians 4: 14-18
Vs. 24,25,26 Then comes the end when Christ gives the kingdom to God the Father after Christ has defeated all His enemies. The last enemy is death.
Vs. 27,28 Christ will rule until all kingdoms and powers are under “his feet” and he rules over them all. Then He will give it to God the Father.
God the Father, was the One who gave Christ the power to be over all. After Christ subdues and conquers all He will turn it over to God the Father and Christ Himself will submit to God the Father. So that God the Father will be all and in all.
Vs. 29 Paul speaks of those who believe in baptizing persons who are living in the name of a person who is dead. Thinking they will “save” the dead person.
Paul said, “Why would they do this, if there was no resurrection or hope of rising from the dead.”
(This was not Paul’s teaching to baptize for those who were dead. He was just using that “belief” to show an example of many who believe in the resurrection. The Bible teaches us that “it is appointed unto man, once to die, after that the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27
We are to ask for forgiveness and be “saved” before we die.)
Vs. 30 Paul asks the people of this church, “Why do you think that I and my helpers travel and go through all the troubles that we have been through if we do not have life after death? Why would I put myself in such danger? Why would I do such work and have trouble if there was not a resurrection?
Vs. 30- 34 You have heard the saying, “Eat, drink, be merry (happy) for tomorrow, we die.” Do not be deceived and fooled by this. Be awake and alive to right living and right believing. Do not sin. People saying that do not have the knowledge of God.
Vs. 35 Some ask How are the dead raised up? And what will their body be like?
Vs. 36, 37 The body after it dies, for it to come alive again has to be changed. Just like a seed put in the ground, when it comes up it has been changed. It is not a “seed” any more, it has been changed and now has life and grows into a plant.
Vs. 38, 39, 40 All bodies are not the same. There are bodies of men, bodies of animals, fish, and birds.
There are angels and heavenly bodies. The heavenly bodies are different from the earthly bodies.
Vs. 41, There is the glory of the sun, the moon, the stars, they are different from each other.
Vs. 42 The earthly body is buried and decays (rots). But when it is raised again it will be a perfect different body.
Vs. 43. It is buried in weakness and no honor. But when it will be raised it will be in power and in glory.
Vs. 44 The body is buried as a natural body. When it is raised it will be a spiritual body. ( When you read about Jesus after he came alive again his body was different. He was able to go through walls. He was able to disappear from one place and appear some where else.
When we have our new body, we will have a body that is a “heavenly” body—-maybe, something like the angels have—though it may be different in some ways. There are various ranks or levels of angels and some of the seem to have different kinds of bodies from other angels.
Vs. 45-58
Vs. 45 The first Adam in the Garden of Eden was made a living soul or a living person with a soul. The second “Adam“—Jesus Christ—was a life giving spirit.
Vs. 46 The first Adam was physical, natural—–not spiritual, the “second Adam” was spiritual.
Vs. 47 The first man was of the earth,—-the second man was of heaven.
Vs. 49 We have the image of the earthy through Adam, —we have the image of the spiritual through Jesus.
Vs. 50 Flesh and blood can not receive heaven the kingdom of God. It is corrupt or made dirty or rotten—it has been cursed because of sin and will die.
Vs. 51 We will be changed. We will not all “sleep” or die.
Vs. 52 In a blink, —-in a twinkling of an eye,—-when the trumpet of God sounds—the dead will be raised up—-and be given—-a new clean whole eternal body. We will be changed.
Vs. 53 This earthly body must be changed to enter heaven, —- we must have—-and will have a new eternal body that will never die.
Vs. 54. When this change of our body happens—then it will be said, “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
Vs. 55. “O, death, —where is your sting? O, grave, — where is your victory?”
Vs. 56. Death was the result of sin.
Vs. 57 Victory over death is because of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Vs. 58 Paul encourages the people. He tells them to be firm and steady in their faith. To be always doing the work of the Lord. Your work is not empty —-or for nothing—-it will have a reward.
Chp. 16 —Vs. 1-24
Vs.1-24
Verse 1
Paul talks about the collection of money—an offering— that will be going to the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem—because they are having a hard time.
Paul said he had already talked to the believers in Galatia about the offering.
Vs. 2 Paul tells them that it would be a good idea—if they would lay aside some money–and have an offering ready to give Paul when he came to visit them—-rather than wait until Paul gets there to collect it.
Vs. 3 Paul tells them to choose a person who will go with Paul and others—to take their offering to Jerusalem.
Vs. 4 Paul said he planned to go to Macedonia first, then he would come to them, and perhaps he would stay for the winter.
Vs. 8 Paul said he planned to stay at Ephesus until Pentecost.
There were many opportunities to preach in Ephesus—but there were also people against what Paul preached.
Vs. 10 ,11 Paul said Timotheus may come to them. And if he came, no one was to look down on him—but to respect him and treat him well.
Vs. 12 Paul talked about Apollos—-Paul wanted him to come to them now, but Apollos said he had other plans for now.
Vs. 13 Paul encourages the believers to stand firm in their faith
Vs. 14 Let all the things you do—be done with love.
Vs. 15-19 Paul talks about several people who are believers and are ministering to others.
Vs. 20 Paul speaks of greeting each other with a “holy kiss”. The people of that area—did not shake hands—but kissed each other on the cheek.
Vs.21 Paul said he signed this letter with his own hand.
It seemed Paul had trouble with his eyes and he had much trouble writing and seeing it. Usually, someone would write the letters for Paul as Paul told them what to write. Then Paul would sign his name to the letter.
Vs. 22 -24 Paul said If any man did not love the Lord —let him be Anathema—meaning “shunned” or not to keep company with them—-sometimes the word could have a stronger meaning—like a curse on someone.
Then Paul uses the word—Maranatha—meaning “So come Lord Jesus.”
Paul prays that God’s grace will be with them and he sends his love.