How Are The Dead Raised?
HOW ARE THE DEAD RAISED?
1 CORINTHIANS 15:35-41
Paul makes some helpful comparisons to explain resurrection.
In a sense the discussion up to this stage has been preliminary, although necessary. Against those who denied a resurrection hope, Paul argues first by asserting the central event of Jesus’ resurrection in which his people are included, and secondly by showing the terrible consequences on Christian life and service of such a denial. But evidently there were Corinthians who, as converts to Christ from the Greek world, preferred a denial because they misunderstood what the term resurrection meant. They imagined it stood for a resuscitation of dead corpses and in a grossly materialistic fashion thought simply of resurrection-life as a prolongation of earthly conditions. Some clarification was needed, and Paul now gives it (15:35).
Two issues are involved. How is life out of death possible? What are the nature and qualities of the resurrection body?
The first question is answered simply by taking an illustration from the world of nature (15:36). A seed is planted in the earth where it “dies”—but its “death” is in order to bring about germination and new life which in time produces growth, full development and fruitfulness.
The second question is more elaborately discussed and is carried over into verse 49:
The foundation of Paul’s argument is firm. God is a God of order and purpose, with resources of infinite adaptability.
Exercise “How great thou art” is the creature’s fitting response (Revelation 4:11).