3. The mode of the Resurrection (15:35-58)

Having established the fact of the Resurrection in 15:12-34, Paul here discusses its mode, drawing upon botanical, zoological, and astronomical analogies (vv.35-41). He insists that the Resurrection is both spiritual and bodily (vv.42-44a), and he rehearses the Adam-Christ contrast (vv.44b-49; see vv.21-22) to bolster his arguments. But he finally concedes that the nature of the Resurrection existence remains an impenetrable mystery (vv.50-57). Paul concludes his discussion of the Resurrection from the dead with three exhortations (v.58; cf. vv.33-34).

Paul’s hypothetical question, But someone may ask, anticipates a potential objection arising from the preceding discussion and prepares for the mutually clarifying questions, How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come? (v.35). The first asks, “By what means or power are dead people raised?” The second question makes it clear that his concern is with the mode, not the means of Resurrection existence. Paul obviously can conceive of no other Resurrection mode than some kind of bodily existence. To demonstrate the folly of anyone who would ask such questions (v.36), Paul appeals to analogies. Paul denies that resurrection involves the mere resuscitation of corpses (v.50), insisting rather that it involves a thorough transformation of the physical body into a spiritual body (v.44), the precise nature of which remains a mystery (v.51).

Normally the NT uses the word mystery (v.51) to identify revelations of what once were secrets, now disclosed by God to believers. But here the undisclosed circumstances of the Resurrection retain their mysterious character. The mystery does not seem to be a rational explanation for the Resurrection. It is instead information concerning the fate of living believers at the time of the Second Coming. They will experience a transformation as radical as the resurrection of those who died before Christ’s return. It is not simply death, but flesh and blood that must be overcome, or transformed. Although the perishable cannot enter resurrection existence directly, when Christ returns, the dead will be raised imperishable and the living will be changed (v.52). When mortal existence gives way to immortality, God will eliminate death from human experience (vv.54-55).

The metamorphosis of the living and the resurrection of the dead will occur instantly and simultaneously when Christ returns (15:52; see Mt 24:31; 1Th 4:16-17; Rev 11:15). Just as trumpets announced the dawning of the new year in Israel’s ancient festival cycle (see Lev 23:23-25; Nu 29:1-6), so they will announce the dawning of the new age. At the Second Coming God will raise the dead “never to die again” and change the dead into “what cannot die” (15:52-53 tev). It is apparently in this sense that we shall become like the Risen Christ (see 15:49; Ro 6:9; 8:11; 1Jn 3:2).

Although God will only in the future deprive death of its victory, he is now giving us the victory (v.57). Our present victory consists in our participation in the triumph Christ is now winning by defeating God’s enemies (vv.20-28). Christ’s resurrection from the dead in the past, his ongoing defeat of God’s enemies in the present, and the future certainty of his final conquest of death provide the basis for the conclusion of 1Co 15. Paul’s therefore reaches back to the consequences of Christ’s resurrection described in vv.20-57. On the basis of his victory, which is ours as well, Paul makes three appeals. The first and second are essentially synonymous—Stand firm and Let nothing move you (cf. vv.1-2). Faithfulness is an essential condition for final salvation. The formulation of these appeals presumes that Paul takes for granted the Christian status of his hearers. His third appeal exhorts them to give themselves fully to the work of the Lord, motivated by the knowledge that their labor in the Lord is not in vain. The effectiveness of Christian activity is based on the certain victory of Christ. Empowered by the Spirit of the risen Christ and motivated by the privilege of participation in his winning cause, Christians may invest their energies fully in work that is assured of ultimate success.