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C
15:34.
Awake.
A
15:35.
How?
With What?
The manner of resurrection.
B
15:36-57.
Adam, first and last. Death swallowed up.
'When?'
C
15:58.
Be Steadfast.
It will be recognized that the pair of members denominated B, B contain
the great theme of the passage, and that the doctrine is crystallized in the
name Adam. We shall see this the more clearly as we proceed, but it is
important to realize the unity of the theme at the beginning of the study.
We can now go back to the first half of this section and give it closer
attention.
1 Corinthians 15:13-33
A
15:13-18.
The fact of resurrection and its relation to doctrine.
B
15:19.
The fact of resurrection and the present life.
C
15:20-23.
The fact of resurrection and the purpose of
the ages from Adam to the parousia.
C
15:24-28.
The fact of resurrection and the purpose of
the ages from the Second Coming to the end
of the mediatorial kingdom.
B
15:29-32-. The fact of resurrection and the present life.
A
15:-32-33. The fact of resurrection and its relation to practice.
It will be seen that, just as in the preceding section, the apostle's
first emphasis is upon the historic fact and not upon the doctrine that is
based upon it. As a wise master-builder indeed, he lays the foundation. If
Christ rose from the dead, then, whatever varieties of opinion may be held,
that fact remains, and necessitates the fulfilment of the great plan of
redemption. By comparing the corresponding members of the structure set out
above, it will be seen that Paul brings the fact of resurrection to bear upon
doctrine and practice, the trials and experiences of this present life, and
the great reconciliation toward which the purpose of the ages slowly but
surely moves. Let us examine each section. First we have the bearing of the
resurrection upon doctrine.
1 Corinthians 15:13-18
a
15:13-.
If no resurrection.
b
15:-13.
Christ not raised.
c
15:14.
Preaching and faith vain.
d
15.
False witness.
a
15:16-.
If no resurrection.
b
15:-16.
Christ not raised.
c
15:17-.
If Christ not raised.
d
15:-17,18. Faith vain, yet in sins.
Sleepers in Christ perished.
The section 13-34 is introduced by the question of verse 12:
'Now if Christ be preached that He rose from the dead, how say some
among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?'
We have here an argumentum ex absurdo. The apostle had established
upon indubitable evidence and the testimony of Scripture that 'Christ rose