7. The Resurrection (15:1–58)
7. The Resurrection (15:1–58)
Paul comes to the last great subject of his letter.1 Some of the Corinthians had denied that the dead will rise (v. 12). He sets out to show that such a denial cannot be countenanced for a moment, for the resurrection of the believer is integral to the faith. Unless Christians are to rise in due course they are pathetic; ‘to be pitied more than all men’ (v. 19). Paul starts from first principles. He shows that Christ’s resurrection is fundamental to the gospel, then that the resurrection of Christ implies that of Christians. He goes on to deal with objections that were, or might be, raised, and shows how baseless they are. This is the classic Christian discussion of the subject.