基督的复活

15 弟兄姊妹,我希望你们记住我传给你们的福音,就是你们曾经领受,向来坚持的福音。 你们若持守我传给你们的,必因这福音而得救——除非你们没有真正相信。

我所领受并传给你们的最重要的信息是:基督照圣经的记载为我们的罪死了, 然后被埋葬了;又照圣经的记载在第三天复活了, 并曾向彼得显现,又向十二使徒显现; 后来有一次向五百多位弟兄姊妹显现,其中有许多至今依然健在,也有些已经安息了; 随后,祂向雅各显现,又向众使徒显现; 到最后,竟也向我这好像未按产期出生[a]的人显现。

在众使徒中我最微不足道,根本不配称为使徒,因为我曾迫害上帝的教会。 10 但靠着上帝的恩典,我成了今天的我,祂赐给我的恩典没有枉费。我比其他人更加卖力,不过我不是靠自己,而是上帝的恩典与我同在。 11 不论是我传的还是其他使徒传的,我们怎样传,你们也怎样相信了。

死人复活

12 既然我们一直都在传扬基督已经从死里复活,怎么你们当中却有些人否定死人复活的事呢? 13 要是没有死人复活的事,基督也就没有复活。 14 如果基督没有复活,我们所传的就是虚空,你们所信的也是虚空。 15 而且,我们就是在为上帝做假见证,因为我们见证上帝已经使基督复活了。如果没有死人复活的事,上帝也就没有叫基督复活。 16 如果人死了不会复活,基督也就没有复活。 17 如果基督没有复活,你们的信仰就是虚空,你们依旧沉沦在罪中, 18 那些在基督里安息的人也灭亡了。 19 如果我们对基督的盼望只在今世,我们就是世上最可怜的人。

20 然而,基督已经从死里复活,祂是死人中第一个复活的[b] 21 既然死亡的到来是借着一人,复活的到来也是借着一人。 22 因为正如在亚当里众人都死了,同样,在基督里众人也都要复活。 23 然而,各人要按照先后次序复活。基督最先复活,以后祂再来时,属祂的人也要复活。 24 最后末日来临,那时基督会废除一切执政的、掌权的、有能力的,将国度交给父上帝。 25 因为基督必执掌王权,直到上帝将所有的仇敌都放在祂脚下。 26 祂最后要毁灭的仇敌就是死亡。 27 因为圣经上说:“上帝使万物降服在祂脚下。”当然,这里说的“万物都降服祂”不包括使万物降服祂的上帝。 28 到了万物都归服基督以后,圣子基督也要归服那使万物归服祂的上帝,使上帝做万物的主宰。

29 否则,那些人代替死人受洗有什么意义呢?死人如果不会复活,为什么要代替他们受洗呢? 30 我们又何必时刻身临险境呢? 31 我天天与死亡搏斗。弟兄姊妹,我这样说,就跟我在主基督耶稣里以你们为荣一样,没有半点虚假。 32 从人的角度看,我在以弗所与那些“恶兽”格斗对我有什么益处呢?如果死人不会复活,“让我们吃喝吧!因为明天我们就死了。” 33 你们不要上当受骗,“交坏朋友会败坏好品德”。 34 你们该醒悟了!不要继续犯罪,因为你们当中有些人不认识上帝。我说这话是要叫你们羞愧。

复活后的身体

35 或许有人会问:“死人怎样复活呢?复活后会有怎样的身体呢?” 36 无知的人啊!你们种下的种子必须先死,然后才能生长。 37 而且,你们种下的并不是那将来要长成的形体,仅仅是种子,或麦种,或其他种子。 38 上帝按自己的旨意赐给种子形体,每个种子都有自己的形体。 39 血肉之体各不相同,人、鱼、鸟、兽都各有不同的形体。

40 此外,有天上的形体,也有地上的形体,两者的荣光各不相同。 41 日有日的荣光,月有月的荣光,星有星的荣光,这颗星和那颗星的荣光也有分别。

42 死人复活也是同样的道理。种下去的会朽坏,复活的不会朽坏; 43 种下去的是羞耻的,复活的是荣耀的;种下去的是软弱的,复活的是刚强的; 44 种下去的是血肉之躯,复活的是属灵的形体。既有血肉之躯,也必有属灵的形体。 45 圣经上也说:“第一个亚当成了有生命的人”,但末后的亚当是赐人生命的灵。 46 先有的不是属灵的形体,而是血肉之躯,以后才有属灵的形体。 47 第一个人亚当来自地上,是用尘土造的,但第二个人基督来自天上。 48 尘土所造的那位是什么样,属地的人也是什么样;从天而来的那位是什么样,属天的人也是什么样。 49 我们既然有属地的形象,将来也必有属天的形象。

50 弟兄姊妹,我告诉你们,血肉之躯不能承受上帝的国,必朽坏的身体也不能承受永不朽坏的产业。 51 听着,我要告诉你们一个奥秘:我们并不是都要死亡[c],乃是都要改变—— 52 就在一刹那,眨眼之间,最后的号角吹响的时候。因为号角一吹响,死人就要复活成为永不朽坏的,我们也要改变。 53 那时,这必朽的身体要变成不朽的,这必死的要变成不死的。 54 当这一切发生的时候,就应验了圣经上的话:

“死亡被胜利吞灭了。”
55 “死亡啊!你得胜的权势在哪里?
死亡啊!你的毒钩在哪里?”

56 死亡的毒钩就是罪,罪借着律法施展它的权势。 57 但感谢上帝,祂使我们靠着主耶稣基督得胜。

58 所以,我亲爱的弟兄姊妹,你们务要坚定不移,总要竭力做主的工作,因为你们知道自己在主里面的辛勤付出不会白费。

Footnotes

  1. 15:8 保罗用“未按产期出生”来指自己非比寻常的蒙召经历。
  2. 15:20 是死人中第一个复活的”希腊文是“成为已经睡了之人初熟的果子”。
  3. 15:51 死亡”希腊文是“睡觉”。

15 Now, Achim b’Moshiach, I draw your attention to the Besuras HaGeulah which I proclaimed to you, which also you received, in which also you stand firm, [Isa 40:9]

Through which also you are brought to Yeshua’at Eloheinu, provided you hold fast to the dvar Torah which I proclaimed to you, unless you received it in vain (cf. 15:12-14, 10).

For I transmitted and handed on to you as authoritative Torah, rishon (first), that which was also transmitted and handed on to me as authoritative Torah (Ga 1:18): that Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach died on behalf of avoneinu (our averos YESHAYAH 1:4, iniquities, gross wickedness, depravities) according to the Kitvei Hakodesh (YESHAYAH 53:8-9; DANIEL 9:26),

And that Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach was buried in a kever (grave, burial place, YESHAYAH 53:9), and that Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach was raised in a Techiyah from the mesim on YOM HASHLISHI (BERESHIS 1:11-13 [T.N. Chag HaBikkurim Lev 23:10-11, see 1C 15:20]; SHEMOT 19:11,15-16; YEHOSHUA 1:11; BAMIDBAR 19:11 13; YONAH 1:17; HOSHEA 6:2; MELACHIM BAIS 20:5,8; EZRA 6:15) according to the Kitvei Hakodesh (TEHILLIM 16:10),

And that Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach was seen by Kefa, then by the Sheneym Asar,

Afterward Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach was seen by over five hundred Achim b’Moshiach at one time, of whom most remain alive until now, though some sleep the sleep of the mesim.

Afterward, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach was seen by Ya’akov (Ga 1:19, also see p.848), then by all the Shlichim.

And, last of all, even as if to one born not normally [like the rest], Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach was seen by me also (cf. 9:1).

For I am the least of Moshiach’s Shlichim, not qualified to be called a Shliach, because I brought redifah (persecution) upon the Kehillah of Hashem.

10 But by the Chen v’Chesed Hashem I am what I am. And the Chen v’Chesed Hashem of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach to me was not in vain, but more abundantly than all the Moshiach’s Shlichim I labored, yet it was not I, but the Chen v’Chesed Hashem with me.

11 Whether it was I or those others, so we preached as Moshiach’s maggidim, and so you had emunah and became Moshiach’s ma’aminim.

12 And if Moshiach is being preached that from the Mesim (Dead ones) he has had his Techiyah (Resurrection), how is it that some among you say that there is no Techiyas HaMesim?

13 And if there is no Techiyas HaMesim, neither then has Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach been raised.

14 And if Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach has not been raised, then our preaching to you was in vain and also in vain is your emunah (faith).

15 Moreover, we are found also to be edei sheker (false witnesses) [SHEMOT 20:16; DEVARIM 19:16-21] misrepresenting Hashem Himself, because we gave solemn edut (testimony 1:6) as in the presence of G-d that Hashem raised Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach—whom, of course, He did not raise if, as you say, the Mesim are not bemetzius (in fact) raised.

16 For if the Mesim (Dead persons) have not Techiyah, neither has Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach had a Techiyah;

17 And if Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach has not already had his Techiyah from the Mesim, your emunah is futile, you are still in your averos (sins),

18 And even the ones who sleep the sleep of the Mesim in Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach have perished.

19 Listen, if for the Olam Hazeh only we have tikvateinu in Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, we are to be pitied more than kol Bnei Adam.

20 But in fact Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach has had His Techiyah! Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach is the Bikkurim ("Firstfruits" Gn 1:11-13; Ex 23:16; Lev 23:10-11), the Firstfruits of the ones having fallen asleep [in Moshiach].

21 For als (since) through an Adam (Man) came mavet (Gn 2:17), also through an Adam (Man, Moshiach) came the Techiyas HaMesim.

22 For as in Adam all die (Gn 3:19), so also in Moshiach all will be made alive.

23 But each one in his own order: the Bikkurim, Moshiach; afterward, the ones of Moshiach at the Bias HaMoshiach;

24 Then HaKetz when Moshiach gives over the Malchut Hashem to G-d, even Elohim Avinu (Dan 2:44; 7:13 14,27), after He has abolished all Mishrah and Shilton and Gevurah.

25 For it is necessary for Moshiach to reign until Hashem puts all His OYVIM ("enemies") under His RAGLAYIM ("feet," TEHILLIM 110:1). [YESHAYAH 9:7; 52:7]

26 The last Oyev (Enemy) to be abolished is Mavet.

27 For KOL HASHEM put TACHAT RAGLAV ("All things He subjected under His feet" TEHILLIM 8:7[6]) but when He says that KOL (“all things”) have been subjected, it is peshat (plain, literal) that this does not include the One [Hashem] who put all things in subjection under Moshiach.

28 But, when all things are subjected to Hashem, then also the Ben HaElohim [Moshiach] himself will be subjected to the One (Hashem) having subjected all things under him (Moshiach), that in all things G-d may be all [i.e., preeminent].

29 Otherwise, what will they do, the ones being given tevilah on behalf of the dead? If the Mesim really are not raised, why indeed are they given tevilah on behalf of the Mesim?

30 Why also are we putting ourselves at risk and in danger every hour?

31 Daily I die and that is as true a fact, Achim b’Moshiach, as it is that I glory over you in Moshiach Yehoshua Adoneinu.

32 If it were a mere humanistic matter, my fighting, so to speak, with wild beasts in Ephesus (Ac 19; 2C 1:3 10), what do I gain? If there is no Techiyas HaMesim, "Let us eat and drink, KI MACHAR NAMUT "For tomorrow we die" YESHAYAH 22:13; 56:12).

33 Do not fall under a delusion. "Bad chavrusashaft (association, influence or hashpa’ah) corrupts good midos."

34 Wake up and come to your senses. Start walking in the derech tzaddikim (TEHILLIM 1:6). Stop committing averos. Some among you have no saving da’as of Hashem. I say this to your bushah (shame).

35 But someone will question, "How does this Techiyas HaMesim come about? And in the Techiyas HaMesim, with what kind of body will they come?" [YECHEZKEL 37:3]

36 Yold, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies!

37 And what is it you sow? Not the body that is to be, but something else: a bare zera (seed), efsher (perhaps) of wheat or some other grain.

38 However, Hashem chooses [another] body to give to the [“dead” and buried] seed, and to each kind of zera is given by Hashem its own body (Gn 1:11-13; 47:18-19).

39 Now basar is not all the same: Bnei Adam have one kind of basar; animals, another; birds, another; fish, another;

40 and there are gufot baShomayim (heavenly bodies), and gufot baAretz (earthly bodies), but the kavod of the heavenly is of one kind, and the kavod of the earthly of another kind.

41 There is one kavod (glory) of the shemesh (sun), and another kavod (glory) of the levanah (moon), and another kavod (glory) of the kochavim (stars), for in kavod (glory), kochav differs from kochav. [TEHILLIM 19:4-6; 8:1,3]

42 So also is the Techiyas HaMesim. That which is sown is of one kind, perishable; that which is raised up is of another kind, imperishable. [DANIEL 12:3]

43 What is sown without kavod is raised in kavod. What is sown in weakness is raised in ko’ach (power).

44 What is sown a natural body, is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual one.

45 So, also, it has been written, VAY’HI HAADAM L’NEFESH CHAYYAH ("And the [first] Man became a living soul," BERESHIS 2:7); but the Adam haacharon (last Adam) became a Ruach mechayyeh (Yn 5:26).

46 But the spiritual body is not harishon, but the natural; then afterward the spiritual.

47 The Adam Harishon is AFAR MIN HA’ADAMAH ("dust from the earth, ground" BERESHIS 2:7), out of ha’aretz. The Adam HaSheini (the second Adam) is out of Shomayim. [BERESHIS 2:7; 3:19; TEHILLIM 90:3]

48 As was the Adam of dust, such also are those of the dust; as was the Adam of Shomayim, such also are those who are of Shomayim.

49 And just as we have borne the demut of the Adam MIN AFAR HA’ADAMAH ("from the dust of the earth" BERESHIS 2:7), so we will bear also the likeness of the Heavenly Adam (Man). [BERESHIS 5:3]

50 Now this I say, Achim b’Moshiach, that basar vadahm cannot inherit the Malchut Hashem, neither can the perishable inherit the imperishable (TEHILLIM 16:9-10; IYOV 19:25-26).

51 Hinei! I speak a sod (mystery) to you: we will not all sleep the sleep of the Mesim, but we will all be changed.

52 In a rega (moment), in the wink of an eye, at the last shofar blast. For the shofar will sound, the Mesim (dead ones) will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

53 For it is necessary for this perishable nature to put on the imperishable, and this mortal nature to put on the immortal.

54 But when this perishable nature puts on the imperishable, and this mortal, the immortal, then the dvar hanevu’ah will come to pass that stands written, "He will swallow up death forever" (YESHAYAH 25:8) in victory.

55 EHI DEVARECHA MAVET EHI KATAVECHA SHEOL? ("Where are your plagues, O Death? Where is your destruction, O Sheol?" HOSHEA 13:14)

56 Now the sting of death is chet (sin) and the ko’ach (power) of chet (sin) is chukkat haTorah [see Dt 27:26; Ga 3:1-13; Ro 7:7-13].

57 But Baruch Hashem, Who is giving us the nitzachon (victory) through Adoneinu Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach.

58 So then, Chaverim and Achim b’Moshiach of mine, be steadfast, immovable, abounding always in the avodas kodesh of Adoneinu, have da’as that your po’al (work) is not in vain in Hashem [2Ch 15:7; Isa 65:23].