RESURRECTION / Part 5

1 CORINTHIANS 15:29-34

Now Paul draws on the truth of the resurrection to show that there are practical effects from this truth. The resurrection motivates. A careful study of these verses shows how certain Corinthian’s are motivated by the resurrection.

• It motivated extreme positions (15:29)
  
  This verse has caused confusion to Bible students, and still does. One commentator reports that up to 200 explanations have been given on this verse. Most have tied it in some way to the practice of water baptism in some symbolic sense. The natural reading of the text points to an actual practice, although the exact identification of this practice is still uncertain. Some have taken the word dead as symbolic as well. However the word dead is used at lease 13 times in this chapter, and always refers to physical death. There was no known practice of vicarious baptism in the church until the second century and it is associated chiefly with heretical sects. Lowery points out that vicarious practices were known in the mystery religions of the time. He points out that across the Saronic Gulf, in Eleusis, mystery religions held to baptisms for hope in the life hereafter. He concludes that: “given the Corinthian propensity for distortion in matters of church practice (cf. 11:2-14:40), it was likely that some in Corinth (possibly influence by the Eleusinian mystery religion) were propounding a false view of baptism which Paul took up and used as an argument against those who denied the resurrection.” (BIBLE KNOWLEDGE COMMENTARY, 544).  

While no explanation is completely satisfactory, this view does satisfy the natural wording of the text. Take careful note of the word “those” in the text. It implies a different group than those he is writing to. It also shows that Paul separates himself from the practice. Paul in no way associates his readers or himself with this group. Paul’s aim is simply to indicate that they could not practice such a false doctrine if there were no resurrection. He is indicating this is a distortion of the truth.  If there were no resurrection why would they practice such a thing? This extreme view is fostered upon a truism. Truth misapplied becomes false doctrine and can lead to extreme positions.

• It motivated Christian service (15:30-32).

It was because of the resurrection that Paul served. Note the emphasis on the words “we” and “I” in these verses. They are in sharp contrast to the “they” of verse 29.

In these verses Paul is pointing to himself to show the conviction that the hope of resurrection provides. It motivates him to serve in spite of dangerous circumstances. The resurrection motivates endurance, in spite of hardships, dangers, and even death itself.  If the resurrection is true, why would we fear? The resurrection is the assurance of life beyond death.

• It motivates us to Holiness (15:33-34).

On the basis of the resurrection, Paul exhorts the believers to live life to the fullest in righteousness.  This exhortation is twofold:

1.      “Be not deceived.” Denial of the resurrection brings deception. It deceives us to think only of the now. The word for deceived is planasthe, meaning to wander astray. When we get our eyes off the hope of the resurrection, we can be deceived and led astray so easily. Connected with this exhortation is the maxim: “Bad company corrupts good morals” (15:33). This is an acceptable maxim and true—bad company will lead stray. It has a deceptive effect. Inherent in this exhortation is the idea of separation from evil influences.

2.      “Awake to righteousness, and sin not” (15:34). The word “awake” is aorist tense meaning to wake up now. It must be done. Second, “sin not” is present tense, meaning do not continue to sin. The two go together; they coexist. The result of not doing both is useless. The result is the lack of effective witness.

The denial of the resurrection produces sinfulness and prevents righteousness. The truth of the resurrection leads to holiness and negates sin. The truth of the resurrection is practical and important in effective everyday living.