1From the truth of Christ's resurrection Paul inferreth the necessity of our own. 20Christ, the firstfruits, being raised, shall be followed in due order by those that are his; 24till having subdued all enemies he shall give up the kingdom to God the Father. 29If there be no resurrection of the dead, in vain is it for any one to risk his life, as the apostle did, continually. 35The manner of the resurrection. 51The change which shall be wrought at the last day in the bodies both of the dead and the living. 58An exhortation to stedfast faith and perseverance in our duty.
1MOREOVER, brethren, 1I declare unto you the gospel whicha I 2preached unto you, which also ye have 3received, and wherein ye 4stand;
1 That is, I bring again to your remembrance.
a Gal. 1:11.
2 Gr. evangelized.
3 Namely, by faith.
4 That is, have remained steadfast thus far.
2Byb which also ye 5are saved, if ye 6keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed 7in vain.
b Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:21.
5 Or, shalt be saved.
6 Or, remember with what speech or words.
7 Namely, which comes to pass when men do not persevere in the faith, which then would be an argument of no true faith. See Gal. 3:4.
3For I 8delivered unto you 9first of all 10that which I also received, how thatc Christ died 11for our sins according to the 12scriptures;
8 Namely, by teaching and preaching.
9 That is, principally, as the first and principal articles of our christian religion, 1 Cor. 2:2; 2 Tim. 2:8. Or, among the first, namely, the principles of the Gospel, Heb. 6:2
10 Namely, from God and our Lord Jesus Christ. See 1 Cor. 11:23. So that this is not a doctrine feigned by me or any men, but (has) come from God, and given us by Him to proclaim unto men.
c Isa. 53:7; Dan. 9:24, 26; 1 Cor. 5:7; 1 Peter 2:24.
11 Namely, thereby to satisfy for the same, for our reconciliation, 1 Peter 3:18.
12 Namely, of the Old Testament. See Acts 26:22; Rom. 1:2; Eph. 2:20.
4And that he was buried,d and that he rosee again the third day according to the scriptures:
d Psalm 16:10; Isa. 53:9; Jonah 1:17; Mat. 12:40.
e Psalm 16:10; Isa. 53:8; Mat. 12:40.
5And that he was seenf of 13Cephas, theng of the 14twelve:
f Luke 24:34; Acts 10:41.
13 That is, of Peter; see of this name, John 1:43; 1 Cor. 1:12; Gal. 2:9.
g John 20:19, etc.
14 Namely, apostles, who, although they were then but eleven, the number being diminished by the falling away of Judas, nevertheless held the name of that number, seeing shortly was filled again after the same. See John 20:24; Acts 1:25.
6After that, he was seen 15of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part 16remain unto this present, but some are 17fallen asleep.
15 When this was done, has not been written down by the evangelists. Some think that it occurred on the Mount of Olives when He was ascended into heaven, Luke 24:50; Acts 1:9. Others think that this was done in Galilee, where he had many disciples. See Mat. 28:7.
16 Gr. remain until now, that is, are yet alive.
17 That is, are dead. See verses, 18, 20, 51; Psalm 13:4; Dan. 12:2; Mat. 9:24; 27:52; Acts 7:60; 1 Cor. 7:39; 11:30.
7After that, he was seen 18of James; then of 19all the apostles.
18 Among the apostles there were two, who were called James, one who was the son of Zebedee and brother of John, Mat. 4:21; 10:2, killed by Herod, Acts 12:2; and one, who was a son of Alphæus, surnamed the less, Mark 15:40, and the Lord’s brother, Gal. 1:19, because he was a son of the sister of our Lord’s mother. See the annotations on Mark 15:40; Acts 12:2, 17; 15:13. Of whom of the two this must be understood is uncertain, seeing the evangelists make no mention of this appearing either.
19 Whereby some understand the apostles, either the eleven being gathered altogether in one; and that verse 5 the same are also understood when they were gathered together without Thomas, John 20:24; but others understand it, not only of the twelve, verse 5, but also of all the rest who were sent forth by Him to preach the Gospel. Luke 10:1; Rom. 16:7.
8And last of all he was seen ofh me also, as of 20one born out of due time.
h Acts 9:3, 17; 23:11; 1 Cor. 9:1; 2 Cor. 12:2.
20 The apostle compares himself hereunto, in respect of his sudden and unexpected conversion and calling, which is described in Acts 9, and happened after that the Lord Christ was ascended into heaven, and because he had previously persecuted Christ.
9For I am thei least of the apostles, that am 21not meet to be called an apostle, becausej I persecuted the church of God.
i Eph. 3:8.
21 Gr. not sufficient.
j Acts 8:3; 9:1; 22:4; 26:9; Gal. 1:13; 1 Tim. 1:13.
10But by the grace of God I am 22what I am: and his grace which was bestowed 23upon me was not 24in vain; butk I 25laboured more abundantly than 26they all: yet 27not I, but the grace of God 28which was with me.
22 Namely, a believing Christian, and besides that, an apostle of the Lord.
23 Or, in me, towards me.
24 That is, not without to bring forth much fruit.
k 2 Cor. 11:23; 12:11.
25 Namely, both in the execution of the apostleship, and in the enduring of all manner of affliction and persecution, which he describes in 2 Corinthians 11.
26 Namely, the other apostles, who were called before Christ’s ascension, and conversed with Him upon earth; as also in the following verse.
27 Namely, as working this by mine own abilities, forasmuch I am thereof but an instrument.
28 That is, which God has shown me, and whereby He blesses my labor.
11Therefore whether it were I or 29they, 30so we preach, and so ye believed.
29 Namely, the other apostles. See verse 10.
30 Namely, that Christ died for our sins, was buried and arose from the dead. See verses 3, 4.
12Now if Christ 31be preached that he rose from the dead, 32how say 33some among you that there 34is no resurrection of the dead?
31 Namely, by me, and by the other apostles.
32 That is, how can then this exist, which some say? This question brings with it a reprehension and an indication of the absurdity of this error.
33 This error as such was not then common of the entire congregation, but of some only, whose names are not expressed, as 2 Tim. 2:17, that by shaming them he might not affright them from conversion.
34 That is, shall be in the last coming of Christ.
13But if there be no resurrection of the dead, 35then is Christ not risen:
35 That is, from this absurdity must follow that Christ is not raised from the dead. The reason hereof is, because Christ is the Head and the faithful are His members, who together make one body. If the members would not be made alive, then neither the Head would be alive. For, it would be a deformed body, whereof the Head was alive and the members were and remained dead.
14And if Christ be not risen, then is 36our preaching 37vain, and your faith is also 38vain.
36 That is, mine and the other apostles.
37 That is, false, untrue.
38 That is, your faith has no firm ground, and shall not obtain the end of the same, which is the salvation of your souls.
15Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; 39because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
39 Or, because we have testified against God.
16For if the dead rise not, 40then is not Christ raised:
40 The reason of this consequence see the annotation on verse 13.
17And if Christ be not raised, your faith is 41vain; 42ye are yet in your sins.
41 Namely, forasmuch as you believe that Christ was delivered unto death because of your sins, and was raised up for your justification, Rom. 4:25, which would be believed in vain, if He were not raised up. See verse 14.
42 That is, still subject to condemnation for your sins, seeing it would be evidence that Christ had not satisfied for your sins, if He had remained in death.
18Then they also which are 43fallen asleep 44in Christ are 45perished.
43 That is, dead. See verse 6.
44 That is, in the faith of Christ, and in the hope of a blessed resurrection by Christ, 1 Thes. 4:14; Rev. 14:13.
45 That is, damned eternally.
19If in this life 46only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men 47most miserable.l
46 That is, respecting only those things, or only for those things, which concern this life, and which might come to us in this life; which would be, if there would be no resurrection of the dead.
47 Gr. more miserable. For, Christians do not only deny worldly pleasures, but are, for the confession of the truth, also subject to many crosses, afflictions and persecutions.
l to be pitied*
20But now is Christm48risen from the dead, and 49become then firstfruits of them 50that slept.
m 1 Peter 1:3.
48 That is, by the previous arguments it appears that it is certain that Christ is raised from the dead.
49 That is, seeing He is first risen, it follows from this that they also, who are fallen asleep in Him, shall be raised up; even as by the first fruits being offered up to God, the whole mass thereof was sanctified, Exod. 22:29; Deut. 26:1; Rom. 11:16.
n Col. 1:18; Rev. 1:5.
50 Namely, in Christ, see verse 18.
21For since 51by man came death,o52by man came 53also the resurrection of the dead.
51 Namely, Adam, verse 22.
o Gen. 2:17; 3:6; Rom. 5:12, 18; 6:23.
52 Namely, by Christ, verse 22.
53 That is, God has also ordained that the raising up of the dead should be done by one Man.
22For as 54in Adam all 55die, even so 56in Christ shall 57all 58be made alive.
54 Or, through Adam, that is, by the sin which Adam committed and all his posterity in him, as being in his loins, Rom. 5:12.
55 That is, have gained over and brought upon themselves the guilt and necessity of dying, or of temporal death, (for of this is only spoken here).
56 Or, by Christ.
57 Namely, the faithful who are fallen asleep in Christ, as the contrast here requires. For, although Christ shall raise up all men in general, even the ungodly and unrighteous, as their righteous Judge, to punish them eternally in body and soul, Mat. 25:32: John 5:28; Acts 24:15; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:12, 13, yet notwithstanding are here understood those who are Christ’s, and whom He shall raise up as their Head, of whom He is the Firstfruits, verse 23.
58 That is, raised up from the dead. For, of this is spoken here, not of spiritual making alive.
23But every man 59in his own order: 60Christ the firstfruits; afterward they 61that are Christ’s 62at his coming.
59 Namely, of the time appointed thereunto by God.
60 That is, even as between the offering up of the firstfruits, and the gathering of the fruits, there was some time between both, Exod. 23:16; 34:22. So also there is time between the resurrection of Christ and of believers.
61 That is, who belong to Him, who are His members, grafted into Him by a true faith. See the annotation on the previous verse.
62 Namely, to judge the quick and the dead at the last day.
24Then cometh 63the end, when 64he shall have delivered up 65the kingdom to 66God, even the Father; whenp he shall have 67put down 68all rule and all authority and power.
63 Namely, of this present age or world, or, of this government of Christ, which He now administers as Mediator.
64 Namely, Christ.
65 Namely, which He now executes as Mediator, gathering His Church by the preaching of the Word, regenerating the same by His Spirit, and defending it by His power against its enemies. For then that shall be no more necessary.
66 That is, to God, Who is the Father, namely, of Christ, and also of the faithful, John 20:17.
p 1 Cor. 2:6.
67 Not only that they have not the upper hand, but also that they be no more.
68 This some understand of all superiors, lawful and good also, for they shall then be no longer needful; others of all dominion and power whether it be of unclean spirits, or of men who have opposed the Kingdom of Christ.
25Forq69he must reign, 70till he hath put 71all enemies 72under his feet.
q Psalm 110:1; Acts 2:34; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:13; 10:12.
69 Or, For he must rule as king; that is, accomplish His Kingly office as Mediator. Therefore, what is said in Psalm 110:1, (to which the apostle here alludes) that He would sit at the right hand of God, is here interpreted by the apostle to reign as King, as also in the same Psalm, verse 2, rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
70 Therefore, as long as this is not accomplished, Christ shall not raise up the faithful from the dead. And afterward He shall cease to reign or rule in such manner as He now does as Mediator.
71 Namely, of His kingdom and chiefly the devil and all his instruments, who oppose Him, or will not have Him to reign over them, Luke 19:27.
72 That is, shall have entirely overcome and destroyed them. See Joshua 10:24.
2673The last 74enemy that 75shall be destroyed is 76death.
73 That is, this shall finally be overcome and abolished.
74 Namely, of the life and salvation of men. For death destroys life, and is thereby as an enemy of nature.
75 That is, is taken away, and instead thereof life is given again by the resurrection. See verse 54.
76 Namely, temporal and physical death; for, of this is spoken here.
27Forr77he hath put 78all things under 79his 80feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that 81he is excepted, which did put all things under 82him.
r Psalm 8:6; Mat. 11:27; 28:18; Eph. 1:22; Heb. 2:8.
77 Namely, God the Father.
78 And consequently all enemies also, amongst which also is temporal death.
79 Namely, of Christ. See a larger exposition of this place in the 15th annotation at Heb. 2:6.
80 That is, put under Him, to abolish whatsoever is an enemy, that it may no more hurt His Kingdom.
81 Namely, God the Father. Or, that it is without Him.
82 Namely, Christ.
28And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be 83subject unto him that put all things under him, that 84God may be 85all in all.
83 Namely, having laid aside not His divine nature and power, but this manner of administering His Mediatory office, which as an Ambassador of the Father, He shall then have perfectly accomplished and executed.
84 Namely, the Father.
85 That is, glorify further His church by Himself without means, as (the) true God with the Son and the Holy Spirit.
29Else 86what shall they do 87which are baptized 88for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
86 That is, what profit and advantage shall they obtain for doing this?
87 Or, which use baptizing. This is diversely interpreted. Some understand it of the sacrament of Baptism by which we have communion in the death of Christ, and publicly testify that we want to be accounted as dead and mortified to the world, Rom. 6:2, 3. Others understand it of those who are baptized with the cross and persecution, that they are, as it were, in a continual death. For so the word baptize is sometimes taken, Mark 10:38; Luke 12:50. Some understand it of those who washed the bodies of the dead, seeing the words are baptized for the dead may also be translated to baptize over the dead, that is, wash, which custom was in use at the times of the apostles, Acts 9:37, and the word baptize sometimes signifies also to wash, Mark 7:4; Luke 11:38; Heb. 9:10, which does satisfactorily agree with the intention of the apostle.
88 Or, over the dead.
30And why stand 89we 90in jeopardy every hour?
89 Namely, apostles, teachers, and also all believers.
90 Namely, of losing not only our goods and good name, but also our life for Christ’s sake. This would be done by us to no purpose if there were no resurrection.
31I protest 91by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, 92I die daily.
91 Others, by our glorying, that is, by the glorying which I have concerning you, that I have brought you to the faith by my ministry. See 2 Cor. 7:4. Also, by the faithfulness which I have showed in the cause of Christ, whereof I may justly glory.
92 That is, I am not only in danger of my life, but am also daily seized upon by so many tribulations, that my life is rather a continual death than being alive, 2 Cor. 11:23. See hereof 1 Corinthians 4; and 2 Corinthians 11; 12.
32If after the manner 93of men I have fought 94with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, 95if the dead rise not? 96lets us eat and drink; for 97to morrow we 98die.
93 That is, as it sometimes fares with men. Or, that I may also speak something of myself, as men use to do, Rom. 3:5; 2 Cor. 11:16, 17, 21.
94 This may be understood properly that the apostle was cast before wild beasts at Ephesus in the theater, to be torn by them, being notwithstanding wonderfully delivered from it by God. But, seeing Luke, describing what happened unto him in Ephesus in Acts 19, makes no mention hereof, therefore some understand this improperly of the contest which the apostle had in Ephesus with his adversaries, whom he compares to wild beasts, because they sought to tear and destroy him, as he also compares Emperor Nero to a lion, 2 Tim. 4:17.
95 This may also suitably be joined with the following words.
96 That is, let us live in pleasures, and make good cheer every day. The apostle rehearses the words which the Epicureans are wont to use, being also rehearsed in Isa. 22:13, and means that therein they would be correct if there was no resurrection.
s Isa. 22:13; 56:12.
97 That is, very suddenly.
98 That is, we shall by death be taken away out of this life.
3399Be not deceived: 100evil communications corrupt good manners.
99 That is, suffer not yourselves to be deceived by such speeches of the Epicureans.
100 Or, evil association. This is a verse taken out of a pagan poet Menander, wherewith Paul confutes the previous speech of the Epicureans, showing the hurt with which such speeches bring them.
34101Awake to 102righteousness, 103and sin not; for 104some have not 105the knowledge of God: I speak this to 106your shame.
101 Namely, out of the sleep of carelessness.
102 That is, truly, in earnest. Or, to walk righteously.
103 That is, take heed that you do not fall into the abominable sin of Epicureanism and carelessness.
104 Namely, from your congregation, as verse 12.
105 Namely, the right knowledge, such as are they who deny the resurrection of the dead.
106 That is, that you might be ashamed that there are among you those who follow such gross and dangerous errors, and thereby be moved the better to flee from such errors.
35But 107some man will 108say, 109Howt are the dead raised up? and 110with what body do they come?
107 Namely, of those Epicureans.
108 That is, object against this.
109 Or, how shall the dead be raised up? That is, how is it possible that the dead, whose bodies are perished, rotten, eaten of beasts, or burned with fire, etc., would be made alive again?
t Ezek. 37:3.
110 This question is answered in verse 37, etc.
36Thou 111fool, thatu which thou sowest 112is not quickened, except it 113die:
111 The apostle does not say this to revile, Mat. 5:22, but to show their ignorance in this matter, Gal. 3:1.
u John 12:24.
112 Gr. is not made alive, that is, does not grow, brings forth no fruit; for even the growing things of the earth have their life.
113 That is, rotted in the earth. If therefore it is not impossible that a rotted seed or grain springs up again and grows, as we daily see in our fields and in our gardens, so it is not impossible that God makes the rotted bodies alive again.
37And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body 114that shall be, but 115bare grain, it 116may chance of wheat, or of 117some other grain:
114 That is, that shall come forth and grow out of the seed that is sown.
115 Namely, that seems to be withered and dead.
116 That is, as for example.
117 Or, of the other seeds.
38But 118God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed 119his own body.
118 That is, although in the first creation God gave the earth power to bring forth herbs, grains and fruits, yet notwithstanding so it is, that He Himself by His omnipotence produces also daily such plants according to His pleasure, Psalm 104:13, 14, etc.; 1 Cor. 3:7.
119 That is, being of the same sort of which the seed is, from which it comes forth.
39120All flesh is not 121the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.
120 Though it might be objected that: forasmuch as the flesh of other beasts is not raised up, so neither shall the flesh of men be raised up, seeing it seems to be of one kind, the apostle answers that there is a difference between the flesh of men and of other living creatures. The reason is not expressed, but this is the principal, because the flesh of men was enlivened by a reasonable and immortal soul, and the bodies of other living creatures by an unreasonable soul, which dies and perishes with the body, and also because God will forever show His grace and justice according to body and soul on reasonable men, not on the unreasonable creatures.
121 That is, of one same condition, so that it must go with the one flesh as it does with the other.
40There are also 122celestial bodies, and bodies 123terrestrial: but 124the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
122 That is, which are in heaven, or endowed with heavenly qualities; as there be the stars of heaven, and as there shall be the glorified bodies of the faithful.
123 That is, which either are come forth out of the earth, or are on the earth, and subject to earthly qualities.
124 That is, the luster or quality.
41There is 125one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the 126stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
125 That is, there is a difference also among the bodies themselves which are in heaven, as concerning their luster.
126 That is, of the other stars. For, the sun and the moon are stars also.
42127Sov also is the resurrection of the dead. 128It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
127 That is, as there is difference between flesh and flesh, and between bodies and bodies in glory, so also in the resurrection there shall be a difference between the qualities of our bodies which we now have on the earth, and which we shall have after the resurrection in heaven.
v Dan. 12:3; Mat. 13:43.
128 That is, these our bodies, which we now have upon earth, are laid down, being now subject to corruption; but the same, being raised up, shall from thenceforward be incorruptible; remaining indeed the same bodies, but endued with other qualities.
43It is sown 129in dishonour; it is raised 130in glory: it is sown 131in weakness; it is raised in 132power:
129 That is, being a dead body, which is ugly and unpleasant to see and to handle. See Philip. 3:21.
130 That is, beautiful and shining, as the stars and the sun, Mat. 13:43; 17:2.
131 That is, being subject to all kind of weakness, sickness and deformity.
132 Namely, to withstand and keep off all corruption, and to move itself powerfully and speedily even as a man wills.
44It is sown 133a natural body; it is raised 134a spiritual body. 135There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
133 Gr. animal, that is, which is moved by the soul in all natural operations, tending to nourishment, motion, generation and the like.
134 That is, not in respect of essence, but only in respect of the spiritual qualities, wherewith it shall be adorned, and because it shall be moved by the Spirit of God, the soul being filled with the light of the Spirit.
135 That is, it appears therefore that there are two kinds of bodies ascribed to man, not in respect of the essence, but by reason of the qualities; being here a natural body, and shall hereafter be a spiritual body.
45And so it is 136written, Thew first man Adam was made 137a living soul; 138the last Adam was made 139a quickening spirit.
136 Namely, Gen. 2:7.
w Gen. 2:7.
137 That is, after God had formed his body out of the dust of the earth, He breathed into him a reasonable and immortal soul, whereby the body is made alive and is moved; and so besides the understanding, he also received an animal or natural life, like as other living creatures.
138 Namely, Jesus Christ, Who is also opposed to the first Adam, Rom. 5:17, 18, 19. These words are not here related as written there, or anywhere else, but are opposed by the apostle to that which is spoken of the first Adam, namely, that as we have received from the first Adam a natural or animal body, so also by the second Adam, namely, Christ, we shall obtain a spiritual body.
139 That is, by the union of the human nature with the eternal Divine nature, which is a quickening Spirit, He is become a Prince of life to us, Acts 3:15. And as He now since the resurrection has a spiritual body, which is immortal and incorruptible, so shall He also give such bodies unto all those who are descended from Him, not by a natural procreation, but by a supernatural regeneration. For each Adam communicates to his posterity, such as he has.
46Howbeit that was 140not first which is 141spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
140 The apostle hereby answers to which anyone might object: Why does not Christ give us such spiritual bodies as soon as we are regenerated? And he says, that all things must be done in order, that the natural must go before, and the spiritual follows after, as the perfect follows upon what is imperfect.
141 Namely, body, see verse 44.
47142The first man is of 143the earth, 144earthy: 145the second man is 146the Lord from heaven.
142 Namely, Adam.
143 Namely, in respect of the dust whereof his body was made, Gen. 2:7.
144 That is, having a body that was earthy, and since the Fall is become mortal and corruptible, Gen. 3:19. Gr. of dust, namely, of the earth.
145 Namely, Christ, Who is a true Man, and is called the second by reason of the time, because He came after the first, as Mat. 3:11; John 1:27, and was an antitype of the first, Rom. 5:14.
146 That is, the heavenly Lord, as is explained in the following verses. Others read: is heavenly out of heaven, to give the contrast more appropriately her full significance. But all Greek books read the Lord from heaven, and that agrees very well with the opposition, seeing the apostle here opposes each other not the origin of the bodies, but the origin and worthiness of both these persons, each of whom impart such bodies to those who are descended from them as they have themselves, verse 48. And He is said to be from heaven, not in respect that His human nature was produced of any heavenly matter, but in respect that He, being Man, is also true God in one Person, Who, being now in heaven, has a glorified body, which is adorned with heavenly and spiritual qualities.
48147As is the earthy, 148such are they also that are earthy: and 149as is the heavenly, 150such are they also that are heavenly.
147 That is, what manner of body Adam had after the Fall, namely, mortal and corruptible.
148 That is, all men, descended from him in a natural way, have such a body as long as they are upon earth.
149 That is, such a body as Christ now has in heaven; namely, glorified, immortal, incorruptible, etc.
150 That is, such bodies shall all believers have also, after that they shall be raised up from the dead, and shall be taken up into heaven. And from this it clearly appears that the apostle speaks not of any diversity in the essence of the bodies, but only in the qualities.
49And asx we have borne 151the image of the earthy, 152we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
x 2 Cor. 4:11.
151 That is, are here conformable to Adam in mortality and corruptibility, Gen. 5:3.
152 That is, so shall we also be conformable unto Christ in glory and immortality, Rom. 8:17, 29; Philip. 3:21; 1 John 3:2.
50Now this I say, brethren, thaty153flesh and blood 154cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth 155corruption inherit 156incorruption.
y John 1:13.
153 That is, such bodies, which are corruptible as flesh and blood are in this life, and that in respect that they are such as is declared in what follows. See Gal. 1:16; Eph. 6:12; Heb. 2:14.
154 That is, obtain as by inheritance, that is, by grace and not by merit. See Mat. 25:34.
155 That is, a body which is subject to corruption. The apostle expresses only the quality to show that he speaks not of the essence, but of the qualities of the bodies. See verse 48.
156 That is, eternal life, which is incorruptible and imperishable. Seeing believers shall possess both in soul and body, then it follows that their bodies must also be immortal. For, mortality and immortality are repugnant one to another, and cannot exist together.
51Behold, I shew you 157a mystery; 158Wez shall not all 159sleep, but we shall all be 160changed,
157 That is, a thing which hitherto was unknown to all people, even to the prophets and apostles.
158 Namely, the people who then shall live, 1 Thes. 4:17. For, the day of Christ’s coming is uncertain.
z 1 Thes. 4:16.
159 That is, die; which does not contradict that which is in Heb. 9:27; for there is spoken of the ordinary law of nature, and not of that which in the last (day) of the world God will do to some. This change shall also be to such instead of death.
160 That is, mortal becoming immortal, which shall not only happen to believers but also to unbelievers, yet to different ends; to these who are to be subject to eternal death, and to them who are to enjoy everlasting happiness; and also in divers manners: the bodies of believers being clothed with glory, and of unbelievers with ignominy, Dan. 12:2; John 5:29. And this change shall come to pass not in the essence of the bodies, but in their qualities, verse 48.
52161In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at 162theaa last trump:ab for the trumpet shall sound, and 163the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and 164we shall be changed.
161 That is, exceeding speedily and swiftly.
162 That is, with a great and fearful sound, as is that of cornets or trumpets. This sound is called the voice of the Son of God, John 5:28, a cry and voice of the archangel and trumpet of God, 1 Thes. 4:16.
aa Mat. 24:31; 1 Thes. 4:16.
ab trumpet.
163 That is, who shall have died before that time.
164 Namely, who shall live at that time. See verse 51.
53For 165this corruptible 166must 167put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.ac
165 Namely, body which we now have and carry, Job 19:26, 27.
166 The reason of this necessity is shown in verse 50.
167 Namely, as a new garment. See 2 Cor. 5:2, 3. The same essence then of the bodies shall remain, but they shall lay aside their old mortal condition, and put on immortality as a new garment and ornament. And this shall be the change of which is spoken previously.
ac 2 Cor. 5:4.
54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be 168brought to pass the saying 169that is written, 170Deathad171is swallowed up 172in victory.
168 That is, be perfectly fulfilled.
169 Namely, Isa. 25:8.
170 This is understood of temporal death in respect of the faithful, and may also be understood of eternal death. But the apostle applies here to temporal death, as appears by what went before.
ad Isa. 25:8; Hosea 13:14; Heb. 2:14.
171 Namely, by Christ, verse 57. That is, entirely taken away, that there shall be no more death or dying amongst men. See the like phrase, 2 Cor. 5:4.
172 That is, that it is totally overcome, taken away, and abolished, Rev. 21:4. The Hebrew word which Isaiah uses here may also be translated forever.
55 O 173death, where is thy 174sting? O 175grave, where is thy 176victory?
173 This is as a triumphant song which the apostle sings upon the conquering of death, taken, as it seems, out of the prophet Hosea, Hosea 13:14, although with some alteration and addition of words.
174 Namely, wherewith thou wast wont to give us men the death blow.
175 Or, hell, for, the Hebrew word scheol and the Greek word hades, which are here used by the prophets and by the apostle, signifies both. And it seems that here it principally signifies the grave, seeing the apostle here treats of the doing away of the temporal death.
176 Namely, whereby thou hast hitherto held the dead under thy force, which thou then must render again, and not be able to hold under thy power any longer. See Rev. 20:13, 14.
56The sting of death is 177sin; and the strength of sin 178is the law.
177 For, because of sin death has power over us, and for this cause is as the weapon to kill us, Rom. 5:12; 6:23.
178 For sin is not known nor imputed but by the law; and when the law bids us anything, our corrupt flesh strives against it so much the more, to do what is forbidden. See Rom. 5:13; 7:7, 8, 13.
57Butae thanks be to God, 179which giveth us the victory 180through our Lord Jesus Christ.
ae 1 John 5:5.
179 Namely, of these aforementioned and all other enemies.
180 Who has brought to pass this victory, not for Himself, but for us, when by His death He perfectly satisfied for sin according to the demand of the law, and by the power of His resurrection regenerates our souls and at the last day shall raise up our bodies in glory.
58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye 181stedfast, 182unmoveable, always 183abounding 184in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye 185know that your labour is not 186in vain in the Lord.
181 Or, well grounded, namely, in the faith.
182 Namely, against the stormy winds or water floods of temptations.
183 That is, with an earnest zeal and diligence always proceeding and increasing.
184 That is, in the work that the Lord, by the ministry of the apostles, has wrought in your hearts, or which He commands that we shall do, John 6:29.
185 That is, are assured by God’s promises.
186 That is, shall not be without fruit and gracious recompense.