Sia’atoutai Theological College

Nafualu

Exegesis: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

Course: Exegesis – Corinthians

Lecturer: Rev. Toutai Laulaupea’alu

Submitted by: Rosemarie Feaomoeata

Bachelor of Divinity Year 4
Semester 1
2021
1.Meaning of the name Corinthians

Corinthians is named for the people living in the ancient city of Greece, Corinth. Corinth

comes from the Greek word – Κόρινθος, which Hitchcock’s Bible Names Dictionary

defines as “which is satisfied; ornament; beauty”.1 This name is fitting for this city

because Corinth was known to be one of the wealthiest and most powerful of the ancient

Greek cities. That being said, the people living in one of the wealthiest and powerful

cities, would, at the very least, be satisfied and of ornament beauty. Some scholars claim,

the city of Corinth, with her great material prosperity, was second only to the city of

Athens—only because the city of Corinth prioritized material interests over principle.2

2. Background of the book Corinthians

The first letter of Paul to the Corinthians was written approximately around 53-54 CE.

This letter described issues that arose in the early years following Paul’s first visit.3 Paul

was saddened to hear about divisions and reports of conflicts and dissension among the

converts of various apostles. In his letter people wrote encouragements and reminders for

the converts of the city of Corinth, such as, that they are servants of Christ and stewards

of God’s mysteries4, and addressed other matters such as immorality, celibacy, marriage,

conduct, etc.

3. Fundamental Ideas of Chapter 15

Chapter 15 is the second to last chapter in Paul’s first epistle to the church in Corinth.

Chapter 15 can be split into 3 different parts, first, verses 1-11, talks of the Resurrection

1
Corinth Definition and Meaning - Bible Dictionary (biblestudytools.com)
2
Corinth Definition and Meaning - Bible Dictionary (biblestudytools.com)
3
Letters of Paul to the Corinthians | Summary, Historical Context, & Facts | Britannica
4
1 Corinthians 4:1
 of Christ. Second, verses, 12-34 talks of the Resurrection of the dead and the last section,

verses 35-58, talk of the Resurrection of the Body. Paul’s goal in this chapter was to

instill, teach, and remind the believers of the Church in Corinth about belief in

resurrection as the “foundation of Christian faith, without which the believer loses his

faith”.5

In this paper, I will be focusing on verses 50-58 in chapter 15, that falls under the section

talking about the Resurrection of the body.

Verses 50-53 “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom

of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We

shall not all die, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at

the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and

we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this

mortal must put on immortality.”

These verses talk of the need for resurrection. In verse 50, Paul explains how flesh and

blood cannot enter the kingdom of God, how the perishable cannot inherit the

imperishable. I believe he is referring to our present bodies, and not only that, but to

things of this world. Our bodies and the materialistic things of this world are perishable,

are corrupted, subject to decay and disease, etc., and are not suited for Heaven. Paul goes

on in verses 51, 52, and 53 to explain a mystery, how we will not all die. How this life,

and death in this life is not permanent, not final. There will be a time were the last

trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised and changed, the perishable body will put on

imperishability and the mortal body puts on immortality.

5
Karadza, Ivan, “Paul’s understanding of death according to 1 Corinthians 15”, 4_Karadza.pdf, Nov.2014
Verses 54-57 “So when this perishable body has put on imperishability, and this mortal

has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is

swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your

victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to

God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

These verses describe how resurrection is the final defeat of death. Verse 54 says when

the imperishable body puts on imperishability and when mortality has put on immortality

this is what Paul proclaims as “death is swallowed up in victory”. In this sense, a

resurrected body is not a body being revived but a “new order of life”, that will never die

again. Hence, resurrection overcomes and defeats death. Death has no sting; Hades is not

victorious. As written in verses 56 and 57, death has no power over any believers who

have been found in Jesus Christ. This victory is only available through Jesus Christ,

those who believe. For unbelievers, death still has that sting.

Verse 58: “Therefor, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work

of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

In the last verse of chapter 15, Paul closes off with a word of encouragement. He

encourages the church in Corinth to be steadfast and immovable, be firm, unwavering,

and unshakeable in doing the work of the Lord, because the work that we do now, is what

matters. He reminds the church that the work they do in the Lord, is not in vain. Though

other may not agree with it, though they may look down on you, whether they discredit

you or underappreciate your effort, whether they acknowledge the work you do, praise

you for it or not, it doesn’t matter. Because when you receive your resurrection, you will
 know, that your labor was not in vain. –Hebrews 6:10— “The Lord will show His

remembrance of our work and labor or love at the resurrection”.

4. Choose Words

Verse 50: inherit - κληρονομῆσαι : verb, aorist infinitive active; def.: to inherit, obtain, to

acquire.

Acquire= to gain or achieve for oneself through one’s actions or efforts

Verse 51: change - ἀλλαγησόμεθα,: verb, future indicative passive, 1p; to change, alter,

exchange, transform

Transform=to change in condition, nature or character

Verse 58: knowing - εἰδότες : verb, perfect participle active; to know, remember, appreciate