1 Coríntios 15
Leon Morris · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Coríntios 15
Morris - Death is man's greatest and unconquerable enemy. The question was especially poignant as voiced by Job, for he had even expressed a desire to die (Job 3:11-13). Later, as his faith reasserted itself, he answered his own question (Job 19:25). DISTINCTNESS YET SIMILARITY In verse 37 Paul used the illustration of a seed to a plant to show that the body that dies will be distinct from the body that is resurrected. Now in verse 38 he again uses the seed illustration to show that despite the distinctive aspects of the resurrection body, there would still be similarity (or continuity). Paul continues answering the question And with what kind of body do they come? (1 Cor 15:35) He has just illustrated the resurrection body with a seed that is planted that grow into a plant that is different in appearance than the seed. The implication is that this would be true with the resurrection body. And yet despite the fact that the final growth looked different from the seed sown, the final plant and the seed are still related. In other words a wheat seed that grew into a plant did not grow into a barley stalk but a wheat stalk. So too the resurrection body though different, would still be related to the person who had been "planted." As Goins says "there is a continuity, and that's the point of verse 38...To each of the seeds a body of its own." The seed changes radically, but it does continue the same life form. A wheat seed doesn't turn into a barley plant, and a kernel of corn doesn't turn into flax. The identity of the seed continues into the full-grown plant. In Jesus' post-resurrection appearances in his resurrection body, none of his disciples and followers recognized him until he chose to reveal himself to them. But once he told them who he was, they did recognize him. They saw the wound in his side and the nail prints in his hands. They knew his face. The promise for us is that we will have some kind of continuity of our personhood, our personality, our unique individuality, after death. Robertson and Plummer point out that "This is the important point. Neither the seed itself, nor the sower, provides the new body; ‘but it is God that giveth it a body exactly as He willed, and to each of the seeds a body of its own,’ i.e. the right body, the one that is proper to its kind. Therefore to every buried human being He will give a proper resurrection-body." The use of soma of vegetation reminds us that the illustration has reference to the human body: and καθὼς ἠθέλησεν, as in 12:18 (not καθὼς θέλει, or καθὼς βούλεται, as in 12:11), shows that God does not deal with each case separately, just as He pleases at the moment, but according to fixed laws, just as it pleased Him when the world was created and regulated. From the first, vegetation has had its laws κατὰ γένος καὶ καθʼ ὁμοιότητα (Gen. 1:11, 12), and great as is the variety of plants, the seed of each has a body of its own, in which the vital principle, to be brought into action by death and decay, resides. (1 Corinthians 15 Commentary) But God (present tense - continually) gives it a body (soma) just as He wished (that He has planned for it), and to each of the seeds a body (soma) of its own - The new body is not given by the seed, but by God.God's sovereign power gives the seed a body in accordance with His good and acceptable and perfect will. Paul's point is that just as God gives the seed the "body" He desires, so too He will give each believer a resurrection body just as He desires. The clear implication is that that resurrected body would not be the same type of body that died but it would be a body of the same person (but of course, glorified and sinless, so different in a good way.)
1 Coríntios 15
Morris comments that "Paul here quotes Genesis 2:7, again confirming the historicity of the special creation of Adam and, therefore, of the Genesis record of creation as a whole." (Defender's Study Bible) Moses wrote Genesis 2:7 Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living (Hebrew - chay; Lxx = zao in present tense) being (Hebrew = nephesh; Lxx = psuche) The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL (psuche) - In simple terms God breathed a soul (psuche) into the first man Adam, who in turn gave natural life to the entire human race. In short, every human being is descended from Adam. Because we bear Adam's image and have been "infected" with his "sin virus," (Ro 5:12+) we all are destined to die twice, physically in this life and spiritually forever in the next life. Dr Henry Morris comments "This is a clear affirmation that Adam was, indeed, the first man, thus refuting the various quasi-evolutionary theories involving pre-Adamite men. (Defender's Study Bible) David
1 Coríntios 15
Morris comments on the last Adam. The "last Adam," was the Lord Jesus. As in Romans 5:12-19, the divinely inspired apostle showed Adam to be a contrasting type of Christ. Both were true men, yet their bodies were formed directly by God without genetic inheritance from human parents. Adam was the first man made a living soul, the federal head of the human race; the Lord Jesus was the first begotten from the dead, the captain of our salvation, the first man made a life-giving spirit. Adam brought sin and death into the world; Christ brought everlasting righteousness and eternal life. (Defender's Study Bible) Thomas
1 Coríntios 15
Morris - Though he appeared on earth, and lived and died and rose again on earth, he is not to be thought of as originating from the earth, as did Adam. He is from heaven. Some see here a backward glance to the incarnation and some a forward look to the second advent (R&P below). But Paul is surely not looking specifically at either. He is contrasting Christ’s heavenly origin with Adam’s earthly one. (TNTC-1 Corinthians)
1 Coríntios 15:58
Morris adds that it might be translated "become" because "Paul sets before his readers a state from which they were as yet all too far, and urges them to continue in it (Ed: be = present tense). (1 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries) In light of the truth that death is no longer victorious over believers and no longer has a sting (1Cor 15:55, 56), we should be motivated to a life of unswerving faith and commitment to the Lord. Sound doctrine about our future makes for sound living in the present. And given the inestimable worth of words of truth, it is not surprising that with some of his last precious words, Paul warned his young disciple, Timothy, about two men… Hymenaeus and Philetus, men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and thus they upset the faith of some. (2Ti 2:18+) Thus Paul is warning Timothy (and all of us) that false doctrine concerning the resurrection can upset (overturn, overthrow) a believer's faith (see Paul's "apologetic" [see the "but now" of v20 in the following passages] against false teaching regarding the resurrection - 1Co 15:12-20+). It is a Biblical maxim that error destabilizes while truth stabilizes our faith. The emphasis in our pulpits should be on presentation of sound doctrine that equips saints for "sound" Christ-like living (cp Eph 4:12, 13+)! It seems that many pulpits have deviated from this basic Biblical mandate and have allotted more of the preaching time to stories, illustrations, props, etc, than to the proclamation of the "pure milk of the word", seemingly forgetting that it is only the "pure milk" that will bring about growth "in respect to salvation". (1Pe 2:2+) THOUGHT - When was the last time you taught on the faith stabilizing, hope building, service motivating truth of the doctrine of the resurrection? Lord, help our pastors and pulpits return to "stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it (so that the sheep may) find rest for (their) souls" (Jer 6:16). In Jesus' Name. Amen. Clarke offers a helpful word picture of what it means to be steadfast "be settled; confide in the truth of this doctrine of the resurrection, and every thing that pertains to it, as confidently as a man sits down on a seat, which he knows to be solid, firm, and safe; and on which he has often sat. (Adam Clarke Commentary)
1 Coríntios 15:58
Morris says that "Hedraioi (firm) was used in 1Co 7:37 of having ‘settled the matter’; there is the thought of stable purpose, something that will not easily be disturbed, for the person’s whole bent is behind it (cf. Col 1:23). Let nothing move you underlines this thought. The Corinthians were prone to fickleness, shifting without reason from one position to another. Let them get a firm grip on the truth of the resurrection, on God’s final plan for all people and all things, and they will not be so readily shaken. (Vol. 7: 1 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press) The English dictionary says that steadfast describes that which is constant; firm; resolute; not fickle or wavering (unwavering), determined in purpose, loyalty, etc. Steadfast is from an old English word meaning "standing firm". Here are some synonyms for steadfast - abiding, constant, dedicated, dependable, enduring, established, faithful, firm, fixed, immovable, intent, loyal, persevering, reliable, resolute, single-minded, stable, stalwart, staunch, steady, unfaltering, unflinching, unswerving, unwavering, wholehearted. The antonyms include faltering, unstable, vacillating, wavering. Vine writes that "The word hedraios, “steadfast,” literally means firmly seated, but implies a fixed purpose of heart, as against allurements to evil; ametakinetos, unmoveable, suggests adherence to the faith, as against forces that would turn them aside from it and so from allegiance to Christ. (Vine, W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson) Isaiah reminds us that… The steadfast of mind Thou wilt keep in perfect peace (Hebrew = "Shalom, shalom" - cf "the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension" Php 4:7), because he trusts in Thee (That is why he is "steadfast of mind" - because he trusts in God) . Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest, finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.” Like a River Glorious by Francis Havergal David declared… My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing, I will sing praises, even with my soul. (Ps 108:1) The psalmist writes… He (the righteous Ps 112:6) will not fear evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD Comment: Note again the association of trust/faith/belief and steadfastness. So here in 1Cor 15:58, the righteous (righteous by grace through faith - cf Ge 15:6) man's belief in the blessed truth of the resurrection and an eternal glorified life undergirds steadfastness of one's heart/mind. Note also that while we use our mind to take in truth, that truth imbibed must sift down into our heart (see study of kardia, see also discussion of Pr 4:23), our "spiritual control center", for that is what will determine whether we prove ourselves to be saints who are steadfast or vacillating. In a parallel passage the writer of Hebrews encourages his vacillating Jewish readers (on whether to hold fast in faith to Messiah or return to their visible rituals)… This hope (The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ - which here in 1Cor 15:58 includes the hope of the resurrection and glorification in the twinkling of an eye - 1Co 15:52) we have as an anchor of the soul (and anchor helps the boat remain "steadfast" in rough/stormy seas!), a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. Comment: Because our future hope is sure and steadfast, believers can continue steadfast in this present life. John
1 Coríntios 15:58
Morris commenting on always abounding adds that "The Christian life is an abundant life. There is nothing cramped or narrow in the genuine Christian experience. (1 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary) Thomas Edwards writes that "Faith in a resurrection produces a consciousness of boundless and endless power for work. In the case of a believer, youth's large dreams never contract into commonplace achievement. The thought of finality in life and work gives place to the hope of an eternal enlargement of sphere, ever-increasing powers, ever more effective service. Perisseuo has always a comparative meaning. Here it expresses the thought of infinity of aim. We have had several intimations in the course of the Epistle that the Apostle considered the root of the evils that were sapping the Christianity of the Corinthians to be spiritual lethargy. From this sprang their pride, their factions, their tolerance of immoral lives, their intolerance of honest errors of judgment, their unspiritual conception of truth, and their impatient scorn of doctrines not materialistic. (1 Corinthians 15 Commentary - 1886) A W
1 Coríntios 15:58
Morris comments on not in vain writing… No matter how great the temptation to compromise, do not yield! No matter how demanding and difficult may be the work to which God has called us, do not quit! There will be a day of resting and reward, but not yet (He 4:9-note, He 4:11-note; He 6:10-note). (Defender's Study Bible notes online) Vain (2756) (keno) means literally to be without something material and thus means empty or without content. It was used with this literal meaning (as in Mk 12:3 "they took him and beat him and sent him away empty handed"). More often kenos is used figuratively referring to things that lack effectiveness and thus are futile, useless, of no purpose or without result. Kenos is used in this sense to refer to endeavors, labors, acts, which result in nothing and thus are vain, fruitless, without effect and will not succeed. Kenos can refer to being devoid of intellectual, moral, or spiritual value. Vine comments that kenos literally means "empty, and has special reference to quality (see 1Co 15:10 and 1Co 15:14); mataios, vain (1Co 15:17), signifies void of result. Were there no resurrection, all would be void of quality and of effect. (Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson) Kenos - 18x in 16v - Notice that the present passage is the third use of kenos in chapter 15 (1Co 15:10, 14, 58). Mk 12:3; Luke 1:53; 20:10,11; Acts 4:25; 1Co 15:10, 14, 58; 2Co 6:1; Gal 2:2; Ep 5:6; Php 2:16; Col 2:8; 1Th 2:1; 3:5; Jas 2:20. NAS = empty (2), empty-handed (4), foolish (1), futile things (1), vain (10). There is a sense in which 1 Cor 15:58 is an "answer" to Paul's earlier statement in this same chapter… Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. (1Cor 15:1,2+) Warren Wiersbe in alludes to the issue of "in vain" in his comments on Ecclesiastes writing "Vanity of vanities," lamented Solomon, "all is vanity!" (Eccl 1:2). Solomon liked that word vanity; he used it thirty-eight times in Ecclesiastes as he wrote about life under the sun. The word means emptiness, futility, vapor, that which vanishes quickly and leaves nothing behind. From the human point of view ("under the sun"), life does appear futile, and it is easy for us to get pessimistic. The Jewish writer Sholom Aleichem once described life as "a blister on top of a tumor, and a boil on top of that." You can almost feel that definition! The American poet Carl Sandburg compared life to "an onion—you peel it off one layer at a time, and sometimes you weep." And British playwright George Bernard Shaw said that life was "a series of inspired follies." What a relief to turn from these pessimistic views and hear Jesus Christ say, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10). Or to read Paul's majestic declaration, "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 for the Lord is not in vain" (1Co 15:58). Life is not in vain if it is lived according to the will of God… D Thomas writes that. "here is a work that must succeed. Every true thought, earnest prayer, godly deed, carry in themselves success. As all the elements and forces of this world go to build up a new stratum around the globe's surface, for geologists of coming ages to study, so all that I do and think and say in the work of the Lord goes to give blessedness to my being… "Therefore," says Paul, "were this life our all, our spiritual labour might be considered vain." What boots our striving after knowledge, our efforts to build up a noble character, if the grave be our end? But there is a future, and in it there is a full reward. All the waters of holy thought and effort we now receive into our being go to make a well within us that shall spring up to everlasting life. (The Biblical illustrator Online) Andrew Murray "Paul adds: 'Forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord.' I have spoken more than once of the mighty influence that the certainty of reward for work, in the shape of wages or riches, exerts on the millions of earth's workers. And shall not Christ's workers believe that, with such a Lord, their reward is sure and great? The work is often difficult and slow, and apparently fruitless. We are apt to lose heart, because we are working in our strength and judging by our expectations. Let us listen to the message: 'O ye children of the resurrection life, be ye always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know your labor is not in vain in the Lord.' 'Let not your hands be weak; your work shall be rewarded.' 'You know that your labor is not vain in the Lord.' (Working for God) IT'S ALWAYS TOO SOON TO QUIT BELEAGUERED SAINT! Listen to Paul's wise advice on how saints should "hangeth thou in there" so that they might fully, fruitfully, "redeem the time" (Eph 5:16-note)… And let us not lose heart (word study) in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary (become so tired and weary as to give out. Literally, "to be loosened or relaxed," like the limbs of the weary. So first we lose heart and then we lose strength to carry on. Lord of the harvest, strengthen our weak hearts and weary limbs to fight the good fight TO THE END!). So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. (Gal 6:9-note, Gal 6:10-note) Comment: Dear weary believer, don't lose your motivation to accomplish the goal God has "re-created" you for in Christ (cf Ep 2:10-note and ultimately Ro 8:29-note, Php 3:14-note). What's the implication? Believers can indeed become despondent and discouraged. (Ps 42:11-note gives us God's timeless antidote for a "Mr. Faintofheart" affect!) Why might believers become weary and want to "throw in the towel" and cease ''doing good''? There are surely many reasons but among them are truths like "all those who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2Ti 3:12-note), etc. See other verses that allude to loosing heart - 2Co 4:1,16; Lk 18:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8; Ep 3:13-note; 2Th 3:13, Heb 12:3, 4, 5-note, Rev 2:3-note, cf Ps 27:13-note which alludes indirectly to the power of the resurrection to renew one's mind! Let us consider praying for one another to ''… not lose heart in doing good'', praying also that we will remember that ''… in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.'' Pray that ''… while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.'') Steven Cole acknowledges that from time to time all saints "will grow weary in the battle. You will often feel as if your efforts are not accomplishing anything of lasting value. You will often feel like quitting. When you get wounded, you will be tempted to drop out of any kind of service. At such times, remember Paul’s climatic words at the end of his great chapter on the resurrection (1Cor 15:58) (Sermons on Ephesians 4:7-10) Devotional Illustration: Don't Quit Son! (1Co 15:56, 57 58, Gal 6:9). (See related devotional) Quitting may ease the pain for a little while, but will burden you with regret for the rest of your life. Ignacy Jan Paderewski, the famous Polish composer-pianist, was once scheduled to perform at a great American concert hall for a high-society extravaganza. In the audience was a mother with her fidgety nine-year-old son. Weary of waiting, the boy slipped away from her side, strangely drawn to the Steinway on the stage. Without much notice from the audience, he sat down at the stool and began playing “chopsticks.” The roar of the crowd turned to shouts as hundreds yelled, “Get that boy away from there!” When Paderewski heard the uproar backstage, he grabbed his coat and rushed over behind the boy. Reaching around him from behind, the master began to improvise a countermelody to “chopsticks.” As the two of them played together, Paderewski kept whispering in the boy's ear, “Keep going. Don't quit, son… don't stop… don't stop.” As we talked about yesterday, we all have times where we feel like giving in. Life becomes overwhelming, the devil’s attacks never cease, and we are weary from fighting so hard. So what do we do? Do we give into Satan’s temptations and quit fighting against him? God forbid! Just as Paderewski stood over the young boy, encouraging him to go on, so God stands over us, encouraging us to keep going. The Lord is saying to us, “Don’t quit, my child. Don’t give in. It’s only for a little while longer. I’m coming soon.” Also, when the boy was playing his version of chopsticks, he did not know the composer would be playing along soon. He just played with all his might. In much the same way, in the midst of our struggles or times of weariness, our song may not sound beautiful (we may not think our effort is making a difference). But Christ is working behind the scenes, perfecting our song. You may not be able to see where God is or how He is working, but trust me, He is at work. If you are following His commands and walking with Him, you do n’t have to question His sovereignty in your life. What has you feeling overwhelmed today? Christian, do not give up. Do not believe the lie that once you quit, everything will be better. The devil always presents the other side as more relaxing, peaceful, and more enjoyable. But what he does not show you is the heartache and pain that comes when you stop living for the Lord. Determine today that no matter what comes in your life, you will not quit. Do not let the devil trick you into thinking giving up is the answer. Trust that God is working in your life and that He will work all things out in the end. (The , January 30, 2009 devotional from Daily in the Word) (Bolding and color added for emphasis). OF AND IN THE LORD In the Lord - Paul has already stated that it is not "our" work per se, but the work "of the Lord", the implication being that we as members of His privileged family (Jn 1:12, 13+) have been invited to share in His work. Now, he states the "how" of that work. In other words, he explains how we are able to carry out good work, stating that it is "in the Lord". The idea is in the "sphere" of the Lord (see locative of sphere). Think of yourself as a fish that lives in an aquarium. That fish functions best (in fact, only) when it is in the sphere of the "fish bowl". So too, believers function best (and only - cf Jn 15:5) when in the sphere of Christ. In the Lord speaks of the believer's identity or oneness with Christ, Who is now our life (Col 3:4+). We are to now strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2Ti 2:1+, cf Eph 3:16+) which is more than sufficient (2Co 12:9+, 2Co 12:10+; 2Co 3:5, 6+, 2Ti 3:16+ ,2Ti 3:17+), to enable us to complete the good work (aka, "God work", see study of Good Deeds) He has prepared for us even before we were born into His family (cf Ep 2:10+). Vine agrees writing that "In the Lord denotes in the sphere and under the direction of His authority and control. Only thus can any service be of true quality and fruitfulness. (Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson) A W