Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
1 Corinthians Ch.15 / 16 Ch.s
1CO:15
* The apostle proves the resurrection of Christ from the dead.
(1-11) Those answered who deny the resurrection of the body.
(12-19) The resurrection of believers to eternal life. (20-34)
Objections against it answered. (35-50) The mystery of the
change that will be made on those living at Christ's second
coming. (51-54) The believer's triumph over death and the grave,
An exhortation to diligence. (55-58)
#1-11 The word resurrection, usually points out our existence
beyond the grave. Of the apostle's doctrine not a trace can be
found in all the teaching of philosophers. The doctrine of
Christ's death and resurrection, is the foundation of
Christianity. Remove this, and all our hopes for eternity sink
at once. And it is by holding this truth firm, that Christians
stand in the day of trial, and are kept faithful to God. We
believe in vain, unless we keep in the faith of the gospel. This
truth is confirmed by Old Testament prophecies; and many saw
Christ after he was risen. This apostle was highly favoured, but
he always had a low opinion of himself, and expressed it. When
sinners are, by Divine grace, turned into saints, God causes the
remembrance of former sins to make them humble, diligent, and
faithful. He ascribes to Divine grace all that was valuable in
him. True believers, though not ignorant of what the Lord has
done for, in, and by them, yet when they look at their whole
conduct and their obligations, they are led to feel that none
are so worthless as they are. All true Christians believe that
Jesus Christ, and him crucified, and then risen from the dead,
is the sun and substance of Christianity. All the apostles
agreed in this testimony; by this faith they lived, and in this
faith they died.
#12-19 Having shown that Christ was risen, the apostle answers
those who said there would be no resurrection. There had been no
justification, or salvation, if Christ had not risen. And must
not faith in Christ be vain, and of no use, if he is still among
the dead? The proof of the resurrection of the body is the
resurrection of our Lord. Even those who died in the faith, had
perished in their sins, if Christ had not risen. All who believe
in Christ, have hope in him, as a Redeemer; hope for redemption
and salvation by him; but if there is no resurrection, or future
recompence, their hope in him can only be as to this life. And
they must be in a worse condition than the rest of mankind,
especially at the time, and under the circumstances, in which
the apostles wrote; for then Christians were hated and
persecuted by all men. But it is not so; they, of all men, enjoy
solid comforts amidst all their difficulties and trials, even in
the times of the sharpest persecution.
#20-34 All that are by faith united to Christ, are by his
resurrection assured of their own. As through the sin of the
first Adam, all men became mortal, because all had from him the
same sinful nature, so, through the resurrection of Christ,
shall all who are made to partake of the Spirit, and the
spiritual nature, revive, and live for ever. There will be an
order in the resurrection. Christ himself has been the
first-fruits; at his coming, his redeemed people will be raised
before others; at the last the wicked will rise also. Then will
be the end of this present state of things. Would we triumph in
that solemn and important season, we must now submit to his
rule, accept his salvation, and live to his glory. Then shall we
rejoice in the completion of his undertaking, that God may
receive the whole glory of our salvation, that we may for ever
serve him, and enjoy his favour. What shall those do, who are
baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Perhaps
baptism is used here in a figure, for afflictions, sufferings,
and martyrdom, as #Mt 20:22,23|. What is, or will become of
those who have suffered many and great injuries, and have even
lost their lives, for this doctrine of the resurrection, if the
dead rise not at all? Whatever the meaning may be, doubtless the
apostle's argument was understood by the Corinthians. And it is
as plain to us that Christianity would be a foolish profession,
if it proposed advantage to themselves by their faithfulness to
God; and to have our fruit to holiness, that our end may be
everlasting life. But we must not live like beasts, as we do not
die like them. It must be ignorance of God that leads any to
disbelieve the resurrection and future life. Those who own a God
and a providence, and observe how unequal things are in the
present life, how frequently the best men fare worst, cannot
doubt as to an after-state, where every thing will be set to
rights. Let us not be joined with ungodly men; but warn all
around us, especially children and young persons, to shun them
as a pestilence. Let us awake to righteousness, and not sin.
#35-50 1. How are the dead raised up? that is, by what means?
How can they be raised? 2. As to the bodies which shall rise.
Will it be with the like shape, and form, and stature, and
members, and qualities? The former objection is that of those
who opposed the doctrine, the latter of curious doubters. To the
first the answer is, This was to be brought about by Divine
power; that power which all may see does somewhat like it, year
after year, in the death and revival of the corn. It is foolish
to question the Almighty power of God to raise the dead, when we
see it every day quickening and reviving things that are dead.
To the second inquiry; The grain undergoes a great change; and
so will the dead, when they rise and live again. The seed dies,
though a part of it springs into new life, though how it is we
cannot fully understand. The works of creation and providence
daily teach us to be humble, as well as to admire the Creator's
wisdom and goodness. There is a great variety among other
bodies, as there is among plants. There is a variety of glory
among heavenly bodies. The bodies of the dead, when they rise,
will be fitted for the heavenly bodies. The bodies of the dead,
when they rise, will be fitted for the heavenly state; and there
will be a variety of glories among them. Burying the dead, is
like committing seed to the earth, that it may spring out of it
again. Nothing is more loathsome than a dead body. But believers
shall at the resurrection have bodies, made fit to be for ever
united with spirits made perfect. To God all things are
possible. He is the Author and Source of spiritual life and
holiness, unto all his people, by the supply of his Holy Spirit
to the soul; and he will also quicken and change the body by his
Spirit. The dead in Christ shall not only rise, but shall rise
thus gloriously changed. The bodies of the saints, when they
rise again, will be changed. They will be then glorious and
spiritual bodies, fitted to the heavenly world and state, where
they are ever afterwards to dwell. The human body in its present
form, and with its wants and weaknesses, cannot enter or enjoy
the kingdom of God. Then let us not sow to the flesh, of which
we can only reap corruption. And the body follows the state of
the soul. He, therefore, who neglects the life of the soul,
casts away his present good; he who refuses to live to God,
squanders all he has.
#51-58 All the saints should not die, but all would be changed.
In the gospel, many truths, before hidden in mystery, are made
known. Death never shall appear in the regions to which our Lord
will bear his risen saints. Therefore let us seek the full
assurance of faith and hope, that in the midst of pain, and in
the prospect of death, we may think calmly on the horrors of the
tomb; assured that our bodies will there sleep, and in the mean
time our souls will be present with the Redeemer. Sin gives
death all its hurtful power. The sting of death is sin; but
Christ, by dying, has taken out this sting; he has made
atonement for sin, he has obtained remission of it. The strength
of sin is the law. None can answer its demands, endure its
curse, or do away his own transgressions. Hence terror and
anguish. And hence death is terrible to the unbelieving and the
impenitent. Death may seize a believer, but it cannot hold him
in its power. How many springs of joy to the saints, and of
thanksgiving to God, are opened by the death and resurrection,
the sufferings and conquests of the Redeemer! In verse #58|, we
have an exhortation, that believers should be stedfast, firm in
the faith of that gospel which the apostle preached, and they
received. Also, to be unmovable in their hope and expectation of
this great privilege, of being raised incorruptible and
immortal. And to abound in the work of the Lord, always doing
the Lord's service, and obeying the Lord's commands. May Christ
give us faith, and increase our faith, that we may not only be
safe, but joyful and triumphant.