12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.
There were some sects in Jesus' day the were teaching there would not be a resurrection. Paul is saying, without it then Christ himself has not been raised.
14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.
Without Christ's resurrection, we have faith in nothing.
15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised.
If there is no resurrection, the apostles are liars.
16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.
Not only would we be lost, but all those who have died believing in the coming messiah would have died in vain as well.
20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Thank God that Jesus was raised and Paul proved that with his testimony about the 500 witnesses.
21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.
Because Adam chose to disobey God, all of us who have followed have a sin nature and are spiritually dead. Those who chose Christ will be made alive spiritually.
24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
God has given Jesus power over everything, but Jesus is still under the authority of God. One day Jesus will give it all back to God. I was asked recently why God does not just destroy his enemies now. God is long suffering. He wants to give EVERYONE as much time as possible to come to repentance.
29 Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them?
I admit having to seek commentary on this. Guess what. Bible scholars have been debating this verse and even they disagree on it's meaning. The best explanation I found is that Paul was refering to the PAGAN practice of being baptized for the dead. As if Paul was saying to the people, "Even the pagan know there will be a resurrection from the dead." Baptism for the dead was NOT a Christian practice in the church of Paul's day.
30 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31 I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised,
“Let us eat and drink,
for tomorrow we die.”
for tomorrow we die.”
Without the resurrection, Christians are wasting there lives by risking all for Christ and may as well join the world and party till they die. Thank God for the resurrection.
It is we who are supposed to be effecting the world not the world effecting us.
God Bless.
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