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(3)
The Nature and Relation of Christ (15:20-22,28);
Amplification (15:45,47,49)
This is not fully revealed in the chapter, but only so far as the
subject necessitates. It has already been put in those pregnant words, `For
as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive'. Here, these
words are rounded out a little more. Christ is a life-giving spirit in
contrast with Adam who was of the earth, earthy. Then, as to His
relationship, Christ is the last Adam, and the second Man. Here are the two
great heads of mankind. The earthy passes on the earthy image; the heavenly,
the heavenly image. This image refers to the body; the earthly image being
the natural body, the heavenly image the spiritual body.
All this necessitates the statement `flesh and blood cannot inherit the
kingdom of God'. If we collect together all that is said of Adam and Christ
in 1 Corinthians 15 and Romans 5, we shall realize somewhat the fulness of
this theme. We should also realize that although the word reconciliation is
not mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15, it is latent in the subject.
(4)
The Abolition or Destruction of Death Receives its Interpretation Here
(15:26); Amplification (15:54)
If verse 26 stood alone it would not be easy to decide whether
resurrection was intended or whether the casting of death into the lake of
fire was in view. We are left without doubt by verses 54-57:
`So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this
mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the
saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death,
where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death
is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God,
which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ'.
Death, the last enemy, is abolished by being swallowed up in victory.
That victory is given to the believer through the Lord Jesus Christ. It can
be nothing else than the resurrection of the redeemed. The lake of fire
cannot be intended here. The second death is not the result of Adam's sin.
It is foreign to the subject of 1 Corinthians 15.
(5)
The Time Periods also Receive Explanation (15:24); Amplification (15:54)
The end will be attained `when He shall deliver up the kingdom to God,
even the Father', and this is not done until all enemies are abolished, and
all the redeemed are placed in their proper rank under Christ. The
Millennial Kingdom will be the final trial of delegated authority. The
abolishing of death is timed for us in 1 Corinthians 15:54 by the words,
`When ... then'. Isaiah 25:8 contains the verse quoted in 1 Corinthians
15:54 :
`Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord
of Hosts shall reign in Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before His
ancients gloriously' (Isa. 24:23).
`And in this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a
feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full
of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. And He will destroy in
this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the