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1Corinthians 15:35 – 16:24

Thursday Evening Bible Study

November 6, 2014

Introduction

Do people see Jesus? Is the gospel preached? Does it address the person who is: Empty, lonely, guilty, or afraid to die?  Does it speak to the broken hearted? Does it build up the church? Milk – Meat – Manna Preach for a decision Is the church loved? Target 3500 words

In Paul's day, Corinth was the capitol of the province of Achaia (southern Greece), and was the most important city in Greece.

Corinth was quite the cosmopolitan city.  All merchant traffic flowing north and south, as well as east and west, flowed through Corinth.

Corinth was also the center of the world’s greatest immorality.

The Temple of Aphrodite stood on the hill overlooking the city, and every night 1,000 male and female prostitutes would come down into the city and encourage the citizens to “worship” the goddess of love.

Paul had established the church in Corinth in AD 51 on his second missionary journey.  He had spent 18 months teaching and building the church before moving on.

It is now AD 56, and Paul is across the Aegean Sea in the city of Ephesus.  He’s received a letter telling about the problems and questions in Corinth, and now he’s writing back.

Paul is writes to the Corinthians five years after establishing the church. They have questions, and he has answers.

The first issue raised was about the divisions in the church.

(1 Corinthians 1:11 NKJV) For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.

The second issue had to do with immorality

(1 Co 5:1 NKJV) —1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife!

The third issue was about lawsuits

(1 Co 6:1 NKJV) —1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?

The fourth issue was about marriage.

(1 Corinthians 7:2 NKJV) —2 Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.

The fifth issue had to do with eating meat sacrificed to idols

(1 Corinthians 8:1 NKJV) —1 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.

The sixth area we titled “Getting Along”

Paul talked about how the church members were to get along with each other, and he covered the subjects of spiritual gifts and “love”.

This last official section has to do with the doctrine of the resurrection.

15:35-49 Resurrection Bodies

:35 But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?”

People have all kinds of questions about heaven and their new bodies.

:36 Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies.

:36 Foolish oneaphron – without reason; senseless, foolish, stupid; without reflection or intelligence, acting rashly

:36 what you sow

He’s going to use farming pictures, and especially with seeds, to illustrate what the resurrection is like. 

You have to bury a seed in the ground before it begins to grow.

:37 And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain—perhaps wheat or some other grain.

:37 you do not sow that body that shall be

Some people have the idea that the resurrected body must be some “reconstituted” form of the old body, as if the cells of the old, buried body are going to come back to life or something – like some sort of “zombie”

Paul says that the new body isn’t going to look like the old body.
The seed might contain the same DNA as the plant, but the seed doesn’t look too much like the plant that is to grow out of it.
Can you tell what will grow from this seed?  It will grow up to be an apple tree.

:38 But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body.

:39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds.

:39 All flesh is not the same flesh

A beef taco looks different from a chicken taco.

:40 There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

:40 celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies

celestialepouranios – existing in heaven

terrestrialepigeios – existing upon the earth, earthly, terrestrial

 “Celestial” means “heavenly”.

There are kinds of bodies that live in heaven.

“Terrestrial” means “earthly”

There are kinds of bodies that live on earth.

:41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.

:41 glorydoxa – opinion; splendor, brightness; the exalted resurrected state

The word carries different ideas, and I think Paul uses it because it can refer to different things.

It can carry the idea of “brightness”, as in the amount of light a star might emit.

It can also refer to our resurrected bodies, called our “glorified” bodies.

:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption.

:43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.

:44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

:44 natural … spiritual body

Paul contrasts what our two types of bodies are like.

At death, which is when our bodies are “sown”, our current natural bodies are characterized by:
Corruption – we get old and decay.
Dishonor – the older you get, the less honorable your body is.

dishonoratimia dishonour, ignominy, disgrace

Weakness
Our future spiritual bodies are characterized by:
Incorruption – never decay
Honor
Power

powerdunamis – strength, power, ability

:45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

:45 first Adam … last Adam

We’ve already seen Jesus compared to Adam, the original “Adam” being called the “first” Adam, and Jesus being called the “Second” or last Adam.

Jesus is called “Adam” because He’s the start of something new, just like Adam was the “first” human.

God gave “life” to the first Adam (Gen. 2:7)

(Genesis 2:7 NKJV) And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

Jesus, as the “last Adam” is not just alive, He gives life.

Adam just gave us death.

:46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.

:46 the spiritual is not first

Chronologically, Adam lived before Jesus took on human flesh.

This chronological parallel is the same with our bodies.

First we have an earthly body, then we get the spiritual body.

:47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.

:48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly.

:49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.

:49 borne the image of …

Our old earthly bodies bear a resemblance to Adam.

Our future resurrected bodies will be like Jesus’ resurrected body.

John wrote,

(1 John 3:2 NKJV) Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
I think it’s fascinating to look at the abilities Jesus’ resurrected body had.
He apparently could disguise Himself at will

The disciples on the road to Emmaus didn’t recognize Him until He allowed them to. (Luke 24:16)

(Luke 24:16 NKJV) —16 But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.

He could walk through walls.

The doors were locked in the upper room, and Jesus showed up. (John 20:19)

(John 20:19 NKJV) —19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

He could fly.

He ascended into heaven. (Acts 1:9)

(Acts 1:9 NKJV) —9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

I think this will all make for some very cool games of “hide and seek”!

15:50-58 Final Victory

:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.

:50 flesh and blood cannot inherit …

These present bodies are not fit for heaven.

Just as an astronaut has to wear a special suit in space because his body couldn’t survive in space, we couldn’t survive in God’s presence in these present bodies.

:51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—

:51 We shall not all sleep

I’ve always thought this verse would make a great motto for the nursery ministry, “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed”

Video:  Dads Changing Diapers

The actual idea is that not every believing human on the planet will face physical death (sleep), but all will be changed one day…

:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

:52 in the twinkling of an eye

There is a moment coming in the future when there will be a great resurrection.  We call this coming event the “Rapture”.

Paul wrote to the Thessalonians:

(1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 NKJV) —16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
When a believer dies, their spirit goes immediately to be with Jesus. (Phil. 1:23; 2Cor. 5:8).
Until the time of the Rapture, believers are in what is called an “intermediate” state, without a physical body.
At the time of the Rapture, those who have already died will receive a new, resurrected body, then those of us who aren’t dead yet will be instantly changed and caught up into the air to be with Jesus.

:54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

:55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”

:54 Death is swallowed up in victory

Paul is quoting two Old Testament passages (Is. 25:8; Hos. 13:14)

(Isaiah 25:8 NKJV) —8 He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; The rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the Lord has spoken.
(Hosea 13:14 NKJV) —14 “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. O Death, I will be your plagues! O Grave, I will be your destruction! Pity is hidden from My eyes.

It’s after the resurrection that we will understand that we will no longer have to face “death”.  We will never die again.

:56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.

:56 sting of death is sin

This is because it is through sin that death gains authority over man.

(Romans 6:23 NKJV) —the wages of sin is death…

:56 the strength of sin is the law

The law takes advantage of our sin nature and stirs us up to sin. (Rom. 7:7-8)

Paul wrote,

(Romans 7:7b–8a NKJV) —…For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire….

:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

:58 your labor is not in vain

Your labor isn’t in vain because there will be a day when you will be raised from the dead and you will realize that it’s all been worth it.

Paul will write later to the Corinthians:

(2 Corinthians 4:16–18 NKJV) —16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Lesson

Now or later?

What are you living for?  The “now” or the “later”?
Some people live totally for the “now”.
They follow the “eat and drink for tomorrow we die” philosophy. (1Cor. 15:32)

(1 Corinthians 15:32 NKJV) —32 If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”

They don’t plan for the future, they just live to enjoy the moment.
Video:  Francis Chan Rope Illustration
There’s a better way – keep your eyes open to the future.

16:1-4 Offerings

:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also:

:1 the collection for the saints

Paul was in the process of taking up a collection to help out the poor in Jerusalem.

Paul has already gathered an offering from the churches of Galatia.

:2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

:2 On the first day of the week

Lesson

Church Time

The church in Corinth gathered together on a weekly basis on the first day of the week.
That’s Sunday.
Some people feel that the church ought to be gathering for worship on Saturday because Saturday is the “Sabbath”.
, and God commanded that the Sabbath be honored.
The fourth commandment is:

(Exodus 20:8 NKJV) “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

But just to be a little bit “picky”, the concept of honoring God on the Sabbath was specifically something that God commanded Israel (the Jews), and it was something distinctly for them.

(Exodus 31:13 NKJV) “Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you.

It seems that the church in Corinth met on Sunday.  Why Sunday?
In honor of the resurrection, which took place on Sunday.
Is it wrong to worship on Saturday?  No.  Is it wrong to worship on Sunday?  No.  How about Thursday?
(Romans 14:5 NKJV) One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.

:2 lay something aside…as he may prosper

Lesson

Giving

Paul was in the process of taking up a collection to help out the poor in Jerusalem, and so he gives a couple of guidelines when it comes to their giving.
Plan ahead
To “lay something aside” implies planning.
Giving should be something that you’ve taken the time ahead of time to think about what you’re doing.
Paul also wrote,

(2 Corinthians 9:7 NLT) You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

There will certainly be times when we need to respond to a need at the moment, but generally giving is something that you don’t do out of pressure because the preacher is twisting your arm, but because you’ve thought and prayed over it ahead of time.

Proportional
Paul says to do it “as you prosper”.

The Old Testament rule of giving was to give a “tithe”, a “tenth”, a “percentage” of your income.

I actually don’t think that’s a bad rule of thumb.  Even before the Law of Moses, Abram gave a “tenth” of the spoils to the priest/king Melchizedek. (Gen. 14:20)

(Genesis 14:20b NKJV) …And he gave him a tithe of all.

No matter how much you decide to give, the idea is that that the more money you make, the more you can give. 

If you’re having a rough month, don’t feel like you have to give because of some “pledge” to give so much per week.

:2 that there be no collections when I come

A lot of preachers would have problems with this.  Paul didn’t want to have an “offering” taken when he got there.  He wanted it all dealt with ahead of time.

:3 And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem.

:4 But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.

:3 I will send to bear your gift

Paul would send the money to Jerusalem with some folks from the Corinthian church.

16:5-12 Paul’s Plans

:5 Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia).

:6 And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go.

:5 when I pass through Macedonia

There were two ways to get from Ephesus to Corinth.

Paul could take a boat westward across the Aegean Sea.
Or he could travel by land by heading north, crossing into Macedonia, then heading south to Corinth.
That’s the way he came to Corinth the first time.
That’s what Paul is hoping to do this time in order to see some of the churches that he had planted the last time (like Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea).

:7 For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits.

:8 But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost.

:7 I hope to stay a while

Pentecost was in the springtime. 

If Paul left for Corinth after Pentecost, he would be spending the summer, fall, and winter (16:6) in Corinth.  That’s a “while”.

permitsepitrepo – to turn to, transfer, commit, instruct; to permit, allow, give leave

If he stays through the winter in Corinth, he would have a better chance to take a boat from Corinth to Jerusalem (which was his plan).  Winter sailing in the Mediterranean was dangerous.

:9 For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

:9 a great and effective door has opened

Paul was excited about what was happening in Ephesus. Luke recorded:

(Acts 19:18–20 NKJV) —18 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. 19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.

Lesson

Doors

Sometimes when we think about what God’s “will” is for us, we talk about “doors” being opened.
A door is an opportunity that presents itself to you.
Jesus told the church in Philadelphia,

(Revelation 3:8 NKJV) …See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it…

Do you have opportunities before you to serve the Lord?

:9 and there are many adversaries

Lesson

Difficulties

There weren’t just opportunities in Ephesus. Luke goes on to write,
(Acts 19:23 NKJV) And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way.
(Acts 19:21–23 NKJV) —21 When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” 22 So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time.

We see a hint at the same plans that Paul has written to the Corinthians about.  And then Luke records,

23 And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. 25 He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. 26 Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. 27 So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.” 28 Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” 29 So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions.

The men who made their living making idols stirred up the city because their business was suffering.

The huge theater at Ephesus was filled with people ready to tear Paul apart limb from limb.

I find it a consistent pattern that when you are faced with an opportunity to serve the Lord, you will encounter difficulties.
Part of me groans when I hear someone say to me, “I want to serve the Lord!”

I groan because I know they are about to face opposition.

Be careful of thinking that a door is open only when things are “easy”.

:8 tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost

Lesson

Detours

Paul’s original plan was to wait until spring (Pentecost) to leave Ephesus.
The big riot in Corinth changed all that and he had to leave early.
(Acts 20:1–2 NKJV) —1 After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia. 2 Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece

“Greece” is where Corinth was.  There’s just a little phrase that tells us that Paul did make it to Corinth.

But trouble got stirred up in Corinth, and Paul had to leave before he wanted to, and he headed back north to Philippi instead of sailing to Jerusalem like his original plan.

(Acts 20:6 NKJV) But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.

The feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover) takes place 50 days before Pentecost.

Paul’s plans to stay in Ephesus until Pentecost (1Cor. 16:8) didn’t exactly pan out.  By the time that Pentecost came, Paul had already gone to Macedonia, Corinth, and back to Macedonia again, with 50 days to spare.
It is not wrong to make plans.
Just be sure that you realize that God has the ability to change your “plans”.

(Proverbs 16:9 NKJV) A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.

An open door doesn’t mean you won’t have adversaries.  Yet at some point, the adversaries become too great, and that’s when Paul moved on.

:10 And if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do.

Paul often sent Timothy ahead of him, kind of like an “advance man”.

Paul encourages them to be nice to Tim.

:11 Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren.

:12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time.

:12 he was quite unwilling to come

I imagine this was a blow to the ego of those who thought that Apollos was the best pastor ever.

Now Paul hints that Apollos isn’t all that excited about visiting them.

16:13-18 Last Exhortations

:13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

Watch – keep your eyes open

stand fast – don’t let the enemy knock you over

:13 be braveandrizomai – to make a man of or make brave; to show one’s self a man, be brave

(1 Corinthians 16:13 NASB95) …act like men…

I think I have a new definition of “manliness”.  Do you know what happens when you put Mentos candies into Diet Coke?

Video:  Mentos Man

I don’t think “manliness” means “stupidness”.  I think the idea is better expressed as being “brave” – to do what you need to do even when you’re scared.
General Omar Bradley (WWII) said,
“Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death.”

be strong – it’s not always easy to be strong when you feel so weak.

When Paul asked Jesus to take away the thorn in his flesh, Jesus responded,

(2 Corinthians 12:9–10 NKJV) —9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
We can only be strong in the Lord.

:14 Let all that you do be done with love.

It’s the more excellent way

:15 I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints—

:16 that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us.

:15 the firstfruits of Achaia

Stephanas and his household were among the first to follow the Lord in Corinth.

Stephanas was one of the few people in Corinth that had actually been baptized by Paul. (1Cor. 1:16)

(1 Corinthians 1:16 NKJV) Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other.

:15 they have devoted themselves to the ministry

:15 devotedtasso – to put in order, to station

The Old King James reads,

(1 Corinthians 16:15 AV) …they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints
If you’re going to get addicted to anything, it’s a good thing to get addicted to serving others.

:16 submit to such

Stephanas and his family were dedicated to serving others.

Those are the people you ought to pay attention to.
Some people want to boss others around in church without ever lifting a finger to help others – those are people you want to ignore.

:17 I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied.

:18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.

:17 Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus

Stephanas was among those visiting Paul from Corinth.

They have brought a financial gift along with the questions that Paul has answered.

16:19-24 Greetings and Farewell

:19 The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

:19 The churches of Asia

That’s the area of modern Turkey and includes places like Ephesus.

:19 Aquila and Priscilla

The first people Paul met in Corinth were Aquila and Priscilla.

They were tentmakers like Paul.
They are now living in Ephesus with Paul.
They would become some of Paul’s closest friends and companions in ministry.
When Paul left Corinth the first time, they went with him to Ephesus and stayed there even after Paul went off to Jerusalem.
Paul is now back in Ephesus with his friends Aquila and Priscilla.

:20 All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

:20 holy kiss

kissphilema – a kiss

Some cultures still greet one another with a “kiss”.
This is to be a “holy” or “pure” kiss.
We prefer a handshake or a hug.

:21 The salutation with my own hand—Paul’s.

Most of Paul’s letters were dictated to a scribe.  He would sometimes write a small portion in his own handwriting to show that it was really him.

:22 If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!

:22 let him be accursed

The Greek word here is “anathema

anathemaanathema – a thing devoted to God without hope of being redeemed; a curse; a man accursed, devoted to the direst of woes

:22 O Lord, come!

The word here is and Aramaic word, “maranatha”, which means “O Lord come!”

:23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

:24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.