ACC ~ 1 Corinthians 15 v12 - 19

OVERVIEW:

Paul grounds his argument for the general resurrection of the dead on the fact of Christ’s resurrection (CHRYSOSTOM, PELAGIUS), in which we participate by faith (SEVERIAN OF GABALA). Without his resurrection our preaching is in vain (CYRIL OF JERUSALEM, THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA, PELAGIUS). Christ has prepared another life for those who hope in him (AMBROSE) where they will dwell bodily in eternal glory (AMBROSIASTER). If the body does not rise again, the soul remains uncrowned with the blessings stored up for it in heaven (CHRYSOSTOM). We are not expecting a disembodied resurrection of the soul only (PELAGIUS). Some Corinthians rejected the resurrection (AUGUSTINE). It is folly to hope only in this life (MAXIMUS OF TURIN). It is bearing false witness to lie about the resurrection (AUGUSTINE).

15:12 | Denying the Resurrection

CHRIST IS PREACHED AS RAISED FROM THE DEAD. CHRYSOSTOM: Paul grounds his argument for the resurrection of the dead on the fact of Christ’s resurrection. The reality of the latter guarantees the reality of the former. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 39.2.

THE PIVOT OF CHRISTIAN TESTIMONY. AMBROSE: How grave an offense it is not to believe in the resurrection of the dead. If we do not rise again, Christ died in vain and did not rise again. For if he did not rise for us, he did not rise at all, because there is no reason why he should rise for himself. ON HIS BROTHER SATYRUS 2.103.

HOW CAN YOU SAY THERE IS NO RESURRECTION? AUGUSTINE: When the apostle says to the Corinthians, “How can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?” he shows plainly that not all of them were claiming this but that some were, and that it is clear they were not outside but among them. … If we had not read in the same letter that “the testimony of Christ is confirmed in you so that nothing is wanting to you in any grace,” we might otherwise have concluded that all the Corinthians were carnal-minded and sensual, not discerning the Spirit of God, “quarrelsome, envious, walking according to man.” LETTER 93, TO VINCENT.

15:13 | If There Is No Resurrection

THE GENERAL RESURRECTION AND CHRIST’S BEING RAISED. PELAGIUS: The one depends on the other. Either you believe both, or you believe neither. COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 15.

WE ARE RAISED. SEVERIAN OF GABALA: Christ died and rose again for nothing if we are not to rise again as well. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

15:14 | Preaching and Faith in Vain

NOT A RESURRECTION OF THE SOUL ONLY. PELAGIUS: Some heretics claim that there is a resurrection of the soul but not of the body, though this makes no sense. How can there be a resurrection of something which has not fallen into the ground and died? COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 15.

OTHERWISE FAITH IS IN VAIN. CHRYSOSTOM: Logically Paul would have said here that if Christ had not been raised, historical facts would have been denied, but instead he says something which is much more relevant and indeed frightening to the Corinthians. For if Christ had not risen from the dead, then Paul’s preaching would have been useless and their faith would have no meaning. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 39.3.

PREACHING. THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: Forgiveness of sins comes through the resurrection. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

15:15 | God Raised Christ

FALSE WITNESS. AUGUSTINE: If a lie directed against the temporal life of another is detestable, how much more so is one prejudicial to his eternal life. Such is every lie voiced in the teaching of religion. On that account, the apostle terms it false witness if anyone lies about Christ, even in what might seem to pertain to his praise. ON LYING 13.

MISREPRESENTING GOD. PELAGIUS: Our preaching would not just be pointless, it would be downright false, if this were the case. COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 15.

15:16 | If the Dead Are Not Raised

WE SHALL RISE ALSO. PELAGIUS: In other words, if you accept that Christ rose from the dead, believe that we shall rise again also. COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 15.

15:17 | Futile Faith, Still in Sins

FORGIVENESS OF SINS. PELAGIUS: If Christ lied about his resurrection, then he lied about his claim to forgive our sins also. COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 15.

THE CHAIN OF ILLUSION. CYRIL OF JERUSALEM: If the cross is an illusion, the resurrection is an illusion also, and “if Christ has not risen, we are still in our sins.” If the cross is an illusion, the ascension is also an illusion, and everything, finally, becomes unsubstantial. CATECHETICAL LECTURES 13.

IF CHRIST HAS NOT BEEN RAISED. CHRYSOSTOM: If Christ did not rise again, neither was he slain, and if he was not slain, our sins have not been taken away. If our sins have not been taken away, we are still in them, and our entire faith is meaningless. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 39.4.

15:18 | Those Who Have Fallen Asleep

THEIR DEAD TAKEN FROM THEM. AMBROSIASTER: Paul says this because the Corinthians will not want to listen to the false prophets once they realize that if they do so their dead, whom they love, will be taken from them. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

NOT DYING IN VAIN. PELAGIUS: Paul has the martyrs in mind above all. They would have lost their lives in vain if there was no other life to look forward to. COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 15.

15:19 | Most to Be Pitied

IF FOR THIS LIFE ONLY. AMBROSE: Paul says this, not because to hope in Christ is miserable but because Christ has prepared another life for those who hope in him. For this life is liable to sin. The life above is reserved for our reward. ON HIS BROTHER SATYRUS 2.124.

HOPE IN CHRIST. AMBROSIASTER: It is clear that we hope in Christ both for this life and for the next one. Christ does not abandon his servants but gives them grace, and in the future they will dwell in eternal glory. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

IF THE BODY DOES NOT RISE. CHRYSOSTOM: Even if the soul remains, being infinitely immortal, without the flesh it will not receive those hidden blessings. If the body does not rise again, the soul remains uncrowned with the blessings stored up for it in heaven. In that case, we have nothing to hope for, and our rewards are limited to this life. What could be more wretched than that? HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 39.4.

THE FOLLY OF HOPING ONLY IN THIS LIFE. MAXIMUS OF TURIN: Therefore Christ is not to be hoped in for this life only, in which the bad can do more than the good, in which those who are more evil are happier, and those who lead a more criminal life live more prosperously. SERMON 96.1.