DEATH HAS BEEN SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY

1 Corinthians 15:35-58

Key Verse 54b

then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

Introduction:

This last part of chapter 15 is focused on our bodily resurrection. Some of the Corinthian believers had probably been influenced by Greek philosophy (dualism). They thought that the body is evil and that, when a man dies, his body is discarded like a worthless shell thereby releasing his spirit, which they considered as our real person. So Apostle Paul in today’s passage is going to correct them and declare that, at the resurrection, we will receive a glorious new body uniquely prepared for us by God. In this way, death will be swallowed up in victory.

1. Read verse 35-38.

ANSWER:

1Co 15:35-38  But someone may ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?"  36  How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.  37  When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else.  38  But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body.

What are the two questions someone may ask about resurrection? (35)

ANSWER:

1Co 15:35  But someone may ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?"

Question #1: How are the dead raised?

Question #2: With what kind of body will they come?

How did Paul correct those with the first question (36-38; Jn 12:24)?

ANSWER:

1Co 15:36-38  How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.  37  When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else.  38  But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body.

Joh 12:24  I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

He compares our body to a seed. A seed must fall to the ground first and die in order to become a beautiful tree. In the same way, our earthly bodies are not the end product but they are supposed to die in order to be raised as something new. This is impossible from a human point of view. Taking our genetic code and upgrading it in order to make a better body is only possible with God who is the creator.  

Jesus said in John 12:24, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” He was saying here that life comes from death. What a paradoxical truth! Our earthly life is also a kind of seed in the sense that we invest and devote our one lifetime on earth to serve Jesus so that he may raise us up at the last day and honor and reward that which we entrusted to him (Joh 12:25-26; 1Co 15:58). This is a great incentive for us to purify ourselves (1Jn 3:3) and commit our life to serving him.

The transfiguration of Jesus (Mk 9:2-3) was a kind of audio-visual presentation of how our earthly bodies will be transformed into glorious resurrected bodies.

How does God give the resurrected body? (38) 

ANSWER:

1Co 15:38  But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body.

He gives it “as he has determined”. Like an architect, God had already completed his design of the resurrection body that he will give to each kind of earthly body. Our resurrected body will certainly be unique and different from any previously created body. But the bottom line here is that this body will be determined according to God's will and what pleases him. This is the cardinal truth that we have to hold on. That is why it is of paramount importance for us to set our goal here on earth on pleasing him.

2. Read verses 39-44. 

ANSWER:

1Co 15:39-44  All flesh is not the same: Men have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another.  40  There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another.  41  The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.  42  So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable;  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.  If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

How did Paul answer their second question in verse 35? (39-41)  

ANSWER:

1Co 15:39-41  All flesh is not the same: Men have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another.  40  There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another.  41  The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.

The second question was: “With what kind of body will they come?” Paul answered this question by referring back to the phrase which is repeated in Genesis chapter 1: “according to their (various) kinds”. God is a God of diversity. So, there will be variety in the kinds of resurrected bodies God will give. 

What is his intent in comparing the earthly bodies and the heavenly bodies? 

ANSWER:

1Co 15:40-42  There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another.  41  The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.  42  So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable;

His point is that God will resurrect our earthly body, giving it an entirely different kind of splendor. Just as the splendor of the heavenly bodies differs entirely from the earthly ones, so will our resurrected body have an entirely different (superior) kind of splendor as compared to our earthly body. And among the resurrected bodies, there will also be large differences.

What are the characteristics of the resurrected body? (42-44)? 

ANSWER:

1Co 15:42-44  So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable;  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.  If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

The resurrected body will be superior the body we now have in these four ways:

Our body is sown perishable but will be raised imperishable.

Our body is sown in dishonor but will be raised in glory.

Our body is sown in weakness but will be raised in power.

Our body is sown a natural body but will be raised a spiritual body.

So the resurrected body will be imperishable, glorious, powerful and spiritual. We will reign forever with our eldest brother, Jesus Christ (Rev 2:26, 3:21, 22:5). What a glorious promise!

3. Read verses 45-49.

ANSWER:

1Co 15:45-49  So it is written: "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit.  46  The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual.  47  The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven.  48  As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven.  49  And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.

Who are the two Adams and how are they different? (45-48)

ANSWER:

1Co 15:45-48  So it is written: "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit.  46  The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual.  47  The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven.  48  As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven.

In verse 45, Paul quotes from Gen 2:7. So, the term “first man Adam” refers to the man whom God created in Gen 2:7. The term “last Adam” or “second man” refers to Jesus Christ. 

The two Adams differ in the respect that:

Adam, by receiving the breath of life, became a living being.
Christ, by receiving of resurrection, became a life-giving spirit. 

Adam was of the dust of the earth.
Christ was from heaven.

What does he mean by “a life-giving spirit”?

ANSWER:

Christ is a spirit – not a disembodied spirit, of course, because he still has a resurrected body. Rather, he is a spirit because he is God and God is Spirit (Jn 4:24; 2Co 3:17; Ro 9:5, 8:9; Gal 4:6). 

Christ is also a spirit in the sense that his resurrected body is dominated and directed by his spirit in contradistinction from Adam whose body is natural and thus dominated and directed by his human nature.

By his death and resurrection, Christ is a spirit who has power to give life to the spiritually dead and the physically dead (Joh 20:22, 6:40; 1Th 4:16). Adam merely received the breath of life but Christ became the giver of the breath of life (Joh 20:22, 11:43).

What will our resurrected body be like? (49)

ANSWER:

1Co 15:49  And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.

We will have a body like that of Jesus, “the man from heaven.” (Php 3:21; 1 Jn 3:2). We will no longer bear the likeness of Adam, the smelly (sinful) earthly figure. 

Jesus, in his resurrected body, could instantly enter into a room with locked doors and instantly disappear (Joh 20:19; Luk 24:31). Yet his body was physical. He still had flesh and bones (Luk 24:39). Thomas could touch the nail marks in his hands and the women could clasp his feet (Joh 20:27; Mat 28:9). He could also eat food (Luk 24:42-43; Acts 1:4). Such will be the properties of our risen bodies.

But Jesus’ resurrected body was glorified after his ascension. His appearance is now dazzling, brighter than the sun (Act 26:13; Rev 1:13-16; Mk 9:3; Mat 17:2; Luk 9:29). Such will be the appearance of our risen, glorified bodies (Mat 13:43; Dan 12:3; Mat 22:30).

Others will still be able to recognize us in our resurrected body. Jesus’ disciples could recognize him when he appeared to them in his risen body (Joh 20:19-20).

4. Read verses 50-54.

ANSWER:

1Co 15:50-54  I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.  51  Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed --  52  in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.  53  For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.  54  When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."

Why can’t flesh and blood inherit the kingdom of God? (50, 52b-54a) 

ANSWER:

1Co 15:50  I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

1Co 15:52b-54a  For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.  53  For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.  54  When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 

The term “flesh and blood” refers to the mortality of our present earthly bodies. Our bodies are “mortal” and “perishable” – subject to aging, disease, sickness and death. We cannot live forever in the eternal kingdom of God in a body that cannot last forever. Consequently, our bodies must be clothed with the “imperishable” and with “immortality” to be adapted for the kingdom of God.

Yet even our new body will have something in common with our earthly body. In the Platonic view, the physical body is merely evil and we should discard it. But our current body is valuable for the ongoing work of God. Rather than abusing its value, we must take care of it as well so that we may continue to serve the eternal work of God here on earth. 

What is the mystery? (51)

ANSWER:

1Co 15:51-52  Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed --  52  in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

The “mystery” (truth formerly hidden but now revealed) is that those Christians who are alive at the time of Christ’s appearing will be changed instantly. They will not taste physical death. But those who have fallen asleep in Christ will rise first (1Th 4:16-17). The word “sleep” is a euphemism for death (18).

What word of God will come true at the resurrection? (54) 

ANSWER:

1Co 15:54-55  When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."  55  "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"

Paul quotes from Isa 25:8. And then, in verse 55, he quotes from Hos 13:14. He proclaims that these prophesies will be accomplished!

What does the phrase “Death has been swallowed up in victory” mean?

ANSWER:

1Co 15:54  When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."

Notice the words “has been” in Paul’s quote: “Death has been swallowed up in victory”. This Scripture here speaks as though the game is already over. Death has been bothering men throughout history despite Jesus’ death and resurrection (the firstfruits). So, from Paul’s perspective, all the arguable problems and deviant lifestyles among the Corinthian church members were due to the residual elements of death. But Jesus has claimed the ultimate victory and we are engaged in the war, the victory of which is already guaranteed. Thanks be to Jesus who has swallowed up death on the cross and in his resurrection. Those who are able to see this truth will be more than conquerors regardless of the situation.

Abraham was the first person who tasted this marvelous truth. When he was asked to offer his one and only son, Isaac (Gen 22:1-10), he had seen this victory in Christ (Jn 8:56) and obeyed without hesitating and became a good example. Another example was Jacob. He used to be deceiver and a greedy and worldly person. But when he learned of God’s hand on his life, he was sanctified enough to honor God’s name practically. Likewise, the meaning and purpose of our lives is nothing but sanctification to be tailored and be fully ready for the eternal house (Tit 2:11-13). 

5. Read verses 55-58.

ANSWER:

1Co 15:55-58  "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"  56  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  57  But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  58  Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

At the resurrection, over what things will we have the victory? (55-56)

ANSWER:

1Co 15:55-56  "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"  56  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

We will have victory over death. We will also have victory over that which brought death’s sting to mankind: Sin and the law (Ro 5:12). Sin is transgression of the law and the penalty of breaking God’s perfect, holy law is death (Ro 6:23). 

What is its source? (57) 

ANSWER:

1Co 15:57  But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The source of this victory is God our planner and creator, eternal Father in heaven who gave his one and only Son, Jesus Christ, who obediently died on the cross for us. To him we owe our great thanks!

With this promise of sure victory, how must we live now? (58)

ANSWER:

1Co 15:58  Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

We ought to give ourselves fully to the work of God. And we need to stand firm on the truth of the word of God. Our work is not in vain. Apostle Paul wanted to help us, especially some Corinthian church members who were drifting away from a right perspective in this limited world. Giving ourselves fully to the work of the Lord and laboring in the Lord is never in vain! In verses 55-58, every statement is made in the present tense. Our focus ought to be on how to give ourselves fully now to the work of God, standing firm on the truth of the word of God. When we have in mind a bunch of human philosophies and strange theories which aren’t based on God’s word, this is surely the unique job of our enemy trying hard to distract us and repudiate what is written. 

In conclusion:

This body we now have is something that will be with us throughout eternity but in a changed and a transformed way. This will surely come true according to God’s words. If there is no resurrection, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” – we have no reason to give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord. But Paul in this chapter has reaffirmed that there is a resurrection of the dead. We must all face the judgement seat of Christ (2Co 5:10) and, hence, we are accountable for how we use our life in this body. Our Christian life literally hinges upon the solemn truth of the resurrection. God is a God of promise. The saying that is written will come true! 

The End.

 Paul uses the terms “in the twinkling of an eye” and “in a flash” as equavalents. He is referring to an instantaneous event. The precise meaning of the Greek word for “twinkling” is “a jerk (of the eye, that is, (by analogy) an instant): - twinkling.” (James Strong, S.T.D., LL.D., Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, 1890) “The Greek word ῥιπή (rJiph) refers to a very rapid movement (BDAG 906 s.v.). This has traditionally been translated as “twinkling,” which implies an exceedingly fast – almost instantaneous – movement of the eyes, but this could be confusing to the modern reader since twinkling in modern English often suggests a faint, flashing light. In conjunction with the genitive ὀφθαλμοῦ (ofqalmou, “of an eye”), “blinking” is the best English equivalent (see, e.g., L&N 16.5), although it does not convey the exact speed implicit in the Greek term.” (Biblical Studies Press, New English Translation, 2006)