RESURRECTION / Part 3

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RESURRECTION

1 Corinthians 15:12-34

In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul deals with the subject of resurrection. In verses 1-11 he shows that Christ’s resurrection is validated by experience, history, and eyewitnesses. Now he deals with the importance of the resurrection in three ways: as fiction, fact, and motive.

IF THE RESURRECTION IS FICTION (1 Cor. 15:12-19).

Paul in verse 12 changes gears. He has verified the resurrection, now he deals with the importance of the resurrection. He begins with a question: “If Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection from the dead?” (1:12). In light of the verification of the resurrection, he is astonished that some deny the truth of the resurrection. He has verified that the message is unified by the truth of the resurrection of Christ. He confirms their belief in the message (12:1; 11). Yet some denied the truth of the resurrection. Paul now challenges such a view. If such a contention is true, Paul now states a series of conclusions from such a denial:

• If true, then there is no resurrection of Christ (12:13). Christ and our resurrection are tied together; the true cannot be separated. If Christ did not rise from the dead, neither will we. If in humanity, Christ did not rise in bodily form, then neither will we. If man does not rise from the dead, then Christ as man could not have risen from the dead. As Lenski notes:
  “The resurrection deals with the body. Christ’s body was given into death on the cross and then, like any dead human body, was placed into the tomb. He was flesh of our flesh, bone of our bone, and in this respect, altogether one with us, although in person He was the Son of God. So, it cannot be argued that he was different and a higher being and, therefore, exempt from the rule that the dead are not raised.” (RCH Lenski, 1 CORINTHIANS, 650-651).
• If true, the preaching of the resurrection is meaningless (12:14). The word kenon, means vain, empty, as opposed to full. It is something that lacks content, such as an empty jug or bucket.  The gospel is empty if Christ is not risen. It is worthless. It is a shell without content. Preaching the resurrection is therefore useless, and there is no hope. If there is no resurrection the gospel falls.
• If true, faith is empty (12:14). Faith rests upon facts and the reliability of those facts. If the facts are worthless, so is the belief in those facts. If the resurrection is empty, then so is faith in the fact of resurrection.
• Paul was a false witness (12:15). If there is no resurrection, then Paul (and every preacher) is guilty of saying that God did that which He did not do.
• If true, faith is fruitless (12:17). The word vain is different than the word found in verse 14. The word here is mataia meaning fruitless or useless. It has no power to affect anything, thus cannot produce results. Vine contrast the words kenos and mataios, saying “kenos stresses the absence of quality, mataios, the absence of useful aim or effect” (Expository Dictionary, 2:25). Without the resurrection, our faith will never see fruit.
• If true, we are still in our sins (12:17). This is the conclusion of a fruitless faith. A crucified, unresurrected Christ cannot deliver men from their sin. Christ’s resurrection is vital to our justification (Rom. 4:25). If no resurrection—no atonement. We are still under the penalty, power and effects of sin.
• If true, there is no hope beyond death (12:18). The dead are lost if there is no resurrection. Those who fell asleep in Christ will not rise. If there is no resurrection they are dead in their sins with no hope, therefore, perish.
• If true, we live miserable lives (12:19). Charles Hodge declares that “not only the future, but even the present is lost if Christ be not risen.” (1 Corinthians, 3:22). Vine tells us that the word rendered “most pitiable,” “combines the ideas of misery and pitiableness” (1 Corinthians, 209). 

If the resurrection is fiction, then our faith is worthless. It is not fiction! Thus, the declaration: “But now Christ has been raised from the dead…” (12:20).