Romans 15
1 Corinthians 15 emphasizes the importance of the resurrection and what it means, and it argues for the resurrection of Jesus Christ, one of the core pillars of Christian faith. This chapter is among the most systematic and detailed explanations of the resurrection found in the Bible, and it offers profound meaning for believers’ faith and life.
1verseNow we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2verseLet each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, to be building him up.
3verseFor even Christ didn’t please himself. But, as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”
4verseFor whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
5verseNow the God of perseverance and of encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,
6versethat with one accord you may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7verseTherefore accept one another, even as Christ also accepted you, to the glory of God.
8verseNow I say that Christ has been made a servant of the circumcision for the truth of God, that he might confirm the promises given to the fathers,
9verseand that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will give praise to you among the Gentiles and sing to your name.”
10verseAgain he says, “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”
11verseAgain, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Let all the peoples praise him.”
12verseAgain, Isaiah says, “There will be the root of Jesse, he who arises to rule over the Gentiles; in him the Gentiles will hope.”
13verseNow may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope in the power of the Holy Spirit.
14verseI myself am also persuaded about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish others.
15verseBut I write the more boldly to you in part as reminding you, because of the grace that was given to me by God,
16versethat I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest of the Good News of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
17verseI have therefore my boasting in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God.
18verseFor I will not dare to speak of any things except those which Christ worked through me for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed,
19versein the power of signs and wonders, in the power of God’s Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and around as far as to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Good News of Christ;
20verseyes, making it my aim to preach the Good News, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build on another’s foundation.
21verseBut, as it is written, “They will see, to whom no news of him came. They who haven’t heard will understand.”
22verseTherefore also I was hindered these many times from coming to you,
23versebut now, no longer having any place in these regions, and having these many years a longing to come to you,
24versewhenever I travel to Spain, I will come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.
25verseBut now, I say, I am going to Jerusalem, serving the saints.
26verseFor it has been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are at Jerusalem.
27verseYes, it has been their good pleasure, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it to them also to serve them in material things.
28verseWhen therefore I have accomplished this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will go on by way of you to Spain.
29verseI know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of the Good News of Christ.
30verseNow I beg you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,
31versethat I may be delivered from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,
32versethat I may come to you in joy through the will of God, and together with you, find rest.
33verseNow the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Structure and Flow
- The core of the gospel (verses 1–11): Paul reaffirms once again that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are at the very center of the gospel, and he states that believing this is the foundation of faith. He also highlights the credibility of the resurrection by mentioning various witnesses.
- The necessity of the resurrection (verses 12–19): If there is no resurrection, he develops the argument that Christian faith is futile and meaningless. Without the resurrection, the apostles’ testimony and believers’ trust would become pointless.
- The resurrection of Christ and the resurrection of believers (verses 20–34): Emphasizing that Jesus’ resurrection is the firstfruits of believers’ resurrection, he ultimately declares that everything will be made new in Christ.
- Explanation of the resurrection body (verses 35–49): In response to the question of what the body is like after the resurrection, Paul explains it using the example of seeds and ways in which different forms of flesh exist. He says that our bodies will be transformed into glorious, imperishable bodies.
- The victory and hope of the resurrection (verses 50–58): He boldly proclaims that death and the power of the grave will be defeated, and that through Christ eternal life and victory are promised to us.
Overall Meaning
1 Corinthians 15 reveals that faith in the resurrection is the foundation of Christianity, and it proclaims that Jesus’ resurrection also promises believers the same hope and the resurrection of glory. This gives comfort and bold courage to believers who face suffering, weakness, and death. It also invites reflection on how a life with this hope affects the life we live now.
Points for Reflection
- Reflect on whether faith in Jesus’ resurrection is at the center of your life.
- Reflect on what the essence of the gospel is, and what I prioritize most.
- When standing in the face of death and difficulties, think about what the hope of the resurrection means to you.
Applying It to Me
- In everyday life, check how faith in the resurrection shows up in my words, actions, and values.
- So that I can live firmly to the end without losing confidence in my faith, I pray while remembering the gospel and the promise of the resurrection.
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