Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Corinthians 15

The word resurrection usually points to our existence beyond the grave. Not a trace of the apostle's doctrine 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 firm to this truth that Christians stand in the day of trial and are kept faithful to God. We believe in vain unless we remain in the faith of the gospel. This truth is confirmed by Old Testament prophecies, and many saw Christ after He had 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 they themselves are utterly worthless.

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.

Having shown that Christ was risen, the apostle answers those who said there would be no resurrection. There would have 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 would have 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 recompense, their hope in him can only be for 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 everyone. But it is not so; they, of all people, enjoy solid comforts amid all their difficulties and trials, even in the times of the sharpest persecution.

All who are by faith united to Christ are by His resurrection assured of their own resurrection. Just as through the sin of the first Adam all humankind became mortal, because all inherited from him the same sinful nature, so, through the resurrection of Christ, all who are made to partake of the Spirit and the spiritual nature will revive and live forever. 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; finally, the wicked will also rise. That will be the end of this present state of things. If we wish to triumph in that solemn and important time, we must now submit to His rule, accept His salvation, and live to His glory. Then we will rejoice in the completion of His undertaking, so that God may receive the whole glory of our salvation, and so that we may forever serve Him and enjoy His favor.

What, then, are those doing who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Perhaps baptism is used here in a figurative sense for afflictions, sufferings, and martyrdom, as in Matthew 20:22-23. What will become of those who have suffered many great injuries, and have even lost their lives for this doctrine of the resurrection, if the dead do not rise at all? Whatever the meaning may be, the apostle's argument was undoubtedly understood by the Corinthians.

And it is equally plain to us that Christianity would be a foolish profession if its aim was merely that its adherents, through their faithfulness to God, should gain personal advantage for themselves in this life; rather, our calling is to bear fruit leading to holiness, so that our end may be everlasting life. But we must not live like beasts, since we do not die like them. It must be ignorance of God that leads anyone to disbelieve the resurrection and future life.

Those who acknowledge God and His providence, and observe how unequal things are in the present life—how frequently the best people fare worst—cannot doubt an afterlife, where everything will be set right. Let us not associate with ungodly people; but warn all around us, especially children and young persons, to shun them as a pestilence. Let us awake to righteousness, and not sin.

1. How are the dead raised up? That is, by what means? How can they be raised?
2. Regarding the bodies that shall rise: will they be of the same shape, form, stature, 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 that this is to be brought about by divine power—a power that all may see doing something similar, year after year, in the death and revival of grain.

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, and although a part of it springs into new life, we cannot fully understand how this occurs.

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, so 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 forever united with spirits made perfect.

To God all things are possible.

He is the Author and Source of spiritual life and holiness to 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 then be glorious and spiritual bodies, fitted to the heavenly world and state, where they are to dwell forever after.

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.

Therefore, he who neglects the life of the soul casts away his present good; he who refuses to live to God squanders all he has.

Not all saints will die, but all will be changed. In the gospel, many truths, previously hidden in mystery, are made known. Death will never appear in the regions to which our Lord will bring His risen saints. Therefore, let us seek the full assurance of faith and hope, so that in the midst of pain and in the prospect of death, we may think calmly about the horrors of the tomb, assured that our bodies will sleep there, and in the meantime, our souls will be present with the Redeemer.

Sin gives death all its harmful power. The sting of death is sin; but Christ, by dying, has removed this sting. He has made atonement for sin; He has obtained its remission. The strength of sin is the law. No one can answer its demands, endure its curse, or abolish his own transgressions. From this comes terror and anguish.

And so, 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 1 Corinthians 15:58, we find an exhortation that believers should be steadfast, firm in the faith of the gospel that the apostle preached and they received.

Also, that they should be unmovable in their hope and expectation of this great privilege of being raised incorruptible and immortal. And that they should abound in the work of the Lord, always doing the Lord's service, and obeying His commands. May Christ give us faith and increase our faith, so that we may not only be safe, but also joyful and triumphant.