1 Coríntios 15
Warren Wiersbe · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Coríntios 15
Wiersbe - First Corinthians 15:46 states an important biblical principle: first the “natural” (earthly), and then the “spiritual” (heavenly). The first birth gives us that which is natural, but the second birth gives us that which is spiritual. God rejects the first birth, the natural, and says, “You must be born again!” He rejected Cain and chose Abel. He rejected Abraham’s firstborn, Ishmael, and chose Isaac, the second-born. He rejected Esau and chose Jacob. If we depend on our first birth, we shall be condemned forever; but if we experience the new birth, we shall be blessed forever. (BEC) 1 Corinthians 15:47 The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven. (NASB 1995 - Lockman) NET 1 Corinthians 15:47 The first man is from the earth, made of dust; the second man is from heaven. NLT 1 Corinthians 15:47 Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, the second man, came from heaven. ESV 1 Corinthians 15:47 The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. NIV 1 Corinthians 15:47 The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. first 1Co 15:45 Ge 2:7 Ge 3:19 Joh 3:13,31 2Co 5:1 the second man Isa 9:6 Jer 23:6 Mt 1:23 Lu 1:16,17 2:11 Joh 3:12,13,31 6:33 Ac 10:36 Eph 4:9-11 1Ti 3:16 1 Corinthians 15 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: John 3:13+ “No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man. John 3:31+ “He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. (AS DISCUSSED BELOW WHILE PASSAGES LIKE THIS COULD SUPPORT "FROM HEAVEN" AS RELATED TO THE INCARNATION, NOT ALL COMMENTATORS AGREE.) DIFFERENT ORIGIN FOR FIRST AND SECOND MAN The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven - From earth, earthy recalls God's creation of Adam from the dust of the ground (Ge 2:7, cf Ge 3:19+). The point is that Adam's characteristics were earthly. Leon
1 Coríntios 15:9
Wiersbe comments on hubristes noting that "A modern equivalent might be "bully." It conveys the idea of a haughty man "throwing his weight around" in violence." Charles Hodge writes that "The forgiveness of sin does not obliterate the memory of it; nor does it remove the sense of unworthiness and ill-desert. (1 Corinthians 15 Commentary) Ed comment: While this may be true we do well to continually sing the old hymn to remind ourselves of the breadth and length and height and depth of God's forever forgiveness to us because of the blood of His Son shed on our behalf... Nothing but the Blood by Robert Lowry What can wash away my sin? Nothing—but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Oh! precious is the flow That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Church (1577)(ekklesia/ecclesia from ek = out + klesis = a calling, verb = kaleo = to call) literally means called out (but see note by Louw-Nida below) and as commonly used in the Greco-Roman vernacular referred to citizens who were called out from their homes to be publicly assembled or gathered to discuss or carry out affairs of state.
1 Coríntios 15:10
Wiersbe writes that… To live by God’s grace means to depend on Him to enable us. We aren’t striving in our own power to do something for Him. Rather, He’s working in and through us to accomplish the good pleasure of His will (cp Php 2:13-note, He 13:21-note). It’s the difference between legalism and life. The enemy wants God’s people to concentrate on their imperfections and failures, because that keeps them from getting lost in the greatness and grace of God. Yes, there’s a time for godly introspection and confession, but the Christian life isn’t a "perpetual (spiritual) autopsy". It’s a feast! So after we’ve washed ourselves (Ed: Actually after "He" has washed us - cp Titus 3:5-note), let’s enjoy the feast to the glory of God (Ge 5:7, 8). (Wiersbe, W. W. Be Authentic. An Old testament study. Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books) (Bolding added) HE GIVETH MORE GRACE Annie Johnson Flint Play Hymn He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater, He sendeth more strength when the labors increase; To added affliction He addeth His mercy, To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace. When we have exhausted our store of endurance, When our strength has failed ere the day is half done, When we reach the end of our hoarded resources, Our Father's full giving is only begun. His love has no limit, His grace has no measure; His power no boundary known unto men; For out of His infinite riches in Jesus He giveth and giveth and giveth again. But the grace of God with me - Wuest translates it "but the grace of God which labored with me". But - I love the Greek here which presents a dramatic contrast - "ouk ego de alla e charis" - literally "not I but, but the grace"! Paul, in a sense, "stutters" in the Greek, using two words of contrast (de and alla) which powerfully draws a distinction between his work and that of God's grace. AMAZING GRACE "INTIMATE" GRACE With me (sun/syn emoi) - There are two conjunctions in Greek that can mean "with" - meta and sun/syn. In his phrase "with me", Paul chose "sun/syn" which is the more "intimate" of the two prepositions. In other words, while meta can describe fellowship or partnership (which would certainly be a reasonable way to describe grace working in believers), syn/sun is even better because it speaks of union which implies a nearer and closer connection than meta. It is somewhat like our English words where "with" differs from "among" if that makes sense. In the Gospel of Mark we see a similar spiritual dynamic using the prefix sun/syn… And they (the disciples Mk 16:14) went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with (sunergeo from sun/syn + érgon = work. The present tense = continually worked with) them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed. (Mk 16:20) Comment: What an encouraging verse--The Lord Himself intimately (sun/syn - in union) working with His disciples as reflected in Acts 1:8 where the promised Spirit (of Christ) would indwell them and would be their source of strength (and grace) enabling them to be His witnesses.
1 Coríntios 15:58
Wiersbe comments on 1 Corinthians 15 - Paul’s hymn of praise to the Lord as well as his closing admonition to the church. Because of the assurance of Christ’s victory over death, we know that nothing we do for Him will ever be wasted or lost. We can be steadfast in our service, unmovable in suffering, abounding in ministry to others, because we know our labor is not in vain. 1Co 15:58 is the answer to Ecclesiastes, where 38x Solomon used the sad word vanity. “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!” wept Solomon; but Paul sang a song of victory! (BEC) Eaton adds a comment regarding Solomon's despair over "all the fruit of (his) labor for which (he) had labored" (Eccl 2:20) writing that Solomon's "only conclusion is that it is all useless. An abyss of despair results. He ‘allowed [his] heart to despair’ (as the Hebrew verb may be translated). This is one of the most moving points of the Old Testament, the antithesis of the New Testament’s ‘not in vain in the Lord’ (1 Corinthians 15:58). William Barclay (The Daily Study Bible Series. The Westminster Press ) commenting on 1Co 15:58 notes that "Finally, at the end of the chapter, Paul does what he always does. Suddenly the theology becomes a challenge; suddenly the speculations become intensely practical; suddenly the sweep of the mind becomes the demand for action. he ends by saying, “If you have all that glory to look forward to, then keep yourself steadfast in God’s faith and service, for if you do, all your effort will not be in vain.” The Christian life may be difficult, but the goal is infinitely worth the struggle. A hope so great and so divine, May trials well endure; And purge the soul from sense and sin, As Christ Himself is pure. NEEDED: CHRISTIANS LIVING WITH A SENSE OF IMMINENCY & URGENCY Why? Because… we must all (speaking of believers) appear before the judgment seat (bema) of Christ, that each one (each individual - speaks of every single one of us standing alone before our righteous Judge) may be recompensed (komizo) for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good (agathos) or bad (phaulos). (2Co 5:10+) John MacArthur speaks of the urgency we should all sense in light of the brevity of this present life and the certainty of the rapture and resurrection and glorification and the judgment seat of Christ… Until you get a sense of the coming of Jesus Christ (Ed: See Imminency of His Return, or imminency), you may never get a sense of real urgency in service. Many Christians, though they know better, live as if Christ was never going to come. They live as if there was no urgency at all. And someday, even as a believer, when Christ comes and resurrects you, and you go to be with Him, there's going to be what the Bible calls the judgment seat of Christ. (Abolishing Death The Ultimate Triumph) Comment: Scripture frequently describes the brevity of our life on earth. It would be good for all believers to periodically ponder the passages on this quickly "passing life"! - Here are some Scriptures on the Shortness of our lives: Job 7:6, 7, 9:25, 26, 14:1, 2; Ps 37:, 39:5, 6 Ps 90:4-6, 9, 10 Ps 102:3, 11, Ps 103:15,16 Ps 144:4 Isa 38:12,13 40:6,7 Jas 1:10, 11, James 4:14, 1Pe 1:24, 2Ki 19:26. Keith Krell sums up Paul's exhortation noting that… After affirming his readers, Paul launches into one command (“be steadfast, immovable”) with two participles (“abounding” and “knowing”) used as imperatives. This grammar leads to a simple three point conclusion: what we should be, what we should do, and what we should know. 1. What we should be. Paul commands us to “be steadfast, immovable.” Like the Corinthians we are prone to be impatient, easily discouraged, and lazy. We let the circumstances of life blow us out of the water. We allow financial setbacks or job problems to depress us. Yet, Paul says, “Get a grip on the resurrection and on God’s final plan for believers, and you will not be so readily shaken.” We will be firmly rooted in what we know to be true about life and death because we have confidence in the resurrection. It gives solid footing. We won’t be swayed by every idea that comes along about this life and the afterlife. We can stand firm. We know who we are, why we’re here on earth, and where we’re headed in the future. 2. What we should do. Paul urges us to be “always abounding in the work of the Lord.” The verb “abounding” pictures something flowing over the edges on all sides. No one gets to the Olympics, much less walks away with a medal, who did not give himself or herself fully to their sport. The commitment of those athletes is phenomenal. They give up privileges, educational goals, relationships, sleep, favorite foods, anything, because of the goal that is before them of securing a place on the victor’s stand. So also no one will hear Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” if he does not give himself fully to the work of the Lord. 3. My own heart is blessed when I see individuals in this church giving themselves fully to the work of the Lord. I’m not talking about our pastors; they get paid for being good; I’m talking about people who are good for nothing. Such members serve God out of the love and gratitude of their hearts. I’m literally amazed sometimes when I see men and women who work fifty plus hours a week then devoting hours to working in Awana, kid’s choir, or teaching a children’s Sunday school class. I’m likewise amazed when I see a mother with three or four children keeping house, serving as a taxi driver, holding down a part-time job, and then, on top of all that, volunteering in Women’s Ministries, MOPS, or our military ministry. That’s something of what it means to be “always abounding in the work of the Lord.” 4. What we should know. (Transformed More than Meets the Eye - 1 Corinthians 15:50-58) Frederic Godet adds that Paul's "last words sum up the whole chapter, and at the same time form the transition to the following verses (Ed: Which include instructions respecting the collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem - 1Co 16:1, 2, 3, 4), which directly remind the Corinthians of one of the works to be done for the Lord. (Commentary Online) Karl Shaw tells in his book Oddballs And Eccentrics, about Charles Radclyffe, the fifth Earl of Derwentwater, England. Shaw calls Radclyffe a gamomaniac. Are you familiar with that term? Gamomania is an obsessive disorder characterized by persistent proposals of marriage. Charles Radclyffe proposed on fifteen occasions to the reluctant Countess of Newburgh, who became so annoyed by the constant harassment that she bolted herself in her home and gave her servants instructions to throw him off the property on sight. The Earl finally found a way into her house by climbing on to her roof and lowering himself down the chimney into her drawing room where, black from soot, he made his sixteenth marriage proposal. This time his persistence paid off and she agreed to marry him. Sixteen rebuffs and he had to climb down a chimney before she accepted his proposal. That is the kind of determination we need as we endeavor to serve Christ and make our lives count for Him. Paul put it this way, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58). BEHIND THE BUILDING - Where we were working was hot, dirty, and it smelled bad. We had traveled thousands of miles to do some work projects, and on this day we were painting the back of a classroom building at a school for the deaf. The only people who would ever see this part of the building would be the guy who cut the grass and any unfortunate person who would have to work on the septic pit. Yet, as the young adults diligently painted away, one of the girls, Melissa, put it in perspective by saying, “Nobody will ever come back here to see this, but God will see it. So let’s make it look nice.” And so we did. Sometimes we sit at our desk and think no one sees our work. Or we stand at a line assembling item after endless item. Perhaps we take care of crying babies in the church nursery. Or we live the best Christian life we can—without anyone noticing. Though others may not observe us And see how we serve God today, Our job as servants of Jesus Is to please Him in every way. —Branon No service for Christ goes unnoticed by Him. TOO SOON TO QUIT - Chris Couch was only 16 years old when he first qualified to play golf at its highest level on the PGA Tour. He was quickly declared the next golfing prodigy and a surefire success for years to come. Life, however, turned out to be more of a grind. Chris did not enjoy a sprint to success but endured a marathon that would take 16 years and 3 different stints on “mini-tours.” Tempted to quit, Couch persevered and finally, at age 32, became a Tour winner for the first time when he captured the New Orleans Open in a thrilling finish. His persistence had paid off, but it had not been easy. In his book A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, Bible teacher Eugene Peterson reminds us that the Christian life has much more in common with a marathon than with a 100-meter dash. Peterson says we are called to persevere in “the long run, something that makes life worth living.” It’s always too soon to quit. O for a faith that will not shrink, Though pressed by every foe, That will not tremble on the brink Of any earthly woe. —Bathurst Run the race with eternity in view. Newspaper copy editor Robert Manry piloted the smallest ship ever to sail the Atlantic Ocean. The trip aboard the Tinherbelle was long and difficult. He dared not sleep in the shipping lanes. The rudder broke several times. He was washed overboard often, saved only by the rope he had tied to himself and to his 13-foot vessel. Finally, after 78 days, Manry approached Falmouth, England. He thought only of tying up to some dock, finding a hotel room, and getting some sleep. But an enthusiastic crowd had other ideas. A fleet of about 300 small boats came out to greet him, all blowing their horns in salute. Forty thousand well-wishers lined the docks, cheering him on. What a welcome he received! Gaining Heaven more than compensates for the losses of earth. Be Steadfast - (Lehman Strauss writes) In olden times a vessel would need assistance in order to reach port safely. In such cases, a “forerunner” went from the ship to shore with a strong rope which he fastened securely to a huge immovable rock. Once joined to the rock safe at shore, the vessel was thus brought in. Christ is the Christian’s Forerunner who has gone “within the veil,” into the very presence of God the Father. His presence there is our guarantee that we too will be there when He comes again for us. He is our hope. He said: “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3). It is that Man within the veil, Christ Himself, the “Anchor,” who sustains and steadies His people down here in this troubled sea. His oath, His covenant, His blood, Support me in the whelming flood. When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay. Oh my brother, lay hold of this blessed hope. Never relax your grip upon it. Christ’s presence in heaven, and the hope of His coming again, are warrant enough for assurance, and adequate ground for stedfast endurance. The tendencies of our day are toward drifting. We urgently need the divine anchor of the soul to hold us steady, “steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1Cor 15:58). Since Christ our Forerunner has left the ship, and fastened the anchor to the throne of God in the Holy of holies, we shall be kept steadfast We have an anchor that keeps the soul, Steadfast and sure while the billows roll, Fastened to the Rock which cannot move, Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love. An article in Workstyle magazine emphasized the importance of getting ready for a trip beforehand. It gave guidelines on carrying the right amount of clothing, selecting the kind you will need, and being prepared for variations in weather. It gave specific directions for packing a suitcase by rolling garments into "logs," folding sweaters a certain way, and properly packing shirts or dresses. The article suggested that a person who is going on a journey should spend quality time in preparation. If he does, he'll be ready to go. Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people. Recreated 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 One day an assistant of the famous chemist Michael Faraday accidentally knocked a little silver cup into a beaker of very strong acid. In almost no time the silver object disappeared. The great chemist was summoned. He quickly put a certain chemical into the jar, and in a moment every particle of silver came together at the bottom. Removing the shapeless mass, he sent it to a silversmith, who recreated a cup that shone as bright as ever. What Michael Faraday did in his laboratory is but a small picture of what our mighty God will do on resurrection day for all His saints. He will miraculously restore the bodies of all who have died in Christ. This is the mystery the apostle Paul spoke about in 1 Corinthians 15. He said that when Christ returns, the living saints will be changed in the twinkling of an eye, and the dead will be raised with incorruptible bodies. The apostle wrote, “.then shall be brought to pass the saying., Death is swallowed up in victory.” I like to think that Paul imagined hearing the triumphant voices of the saints on that great day. Those who do not die will be instantly changed, and will exclaim, “O death, where is thy sting?” Those who rise from the tomb in resurrection bodies will shout, :”O grave, where is thy victory?” What a marvelous picture of triumph! How the saints will radiate the glory of the Lord on resurrection day as they are changed into His perfect likeness! Driven by Gratitude - What’s the greatest novel ever written? Many readers would vote for Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace, which, depending on the edition, can run well over 1,000 pages. Even after his novel was finished, Tolstoy continued to write—often until he was on the brink of exhaustion, unable to sleep, and on the verge of a breakdown. One day a friend asked him why he kept writing and driving himself to the edge of exhaustion. He reminded Tolstoy that he was a wealthy Russian count with servants at his beck and call, and that he had a secure future. Tolstoy explained that he kept writing because he was the slave of an inner compulsion and had a consuming desire deep within his bones. He felt that he had to keep writing or else he would go mad. The apostle Paul experienced a similar compulsion, except that his drive was God-motivated. As he explained to his friends in Corinth, “the love of Christ compels us” (2Co 5:14). His was a burning passion, an emotional fire, a spiritual force that made him share the good news of Jesus and His death and resurrection. Fill Thou my life, O Lord my God, In every part with praise, That my whole being may proclaim Thy being and Thy ways. —Bonar The good news is too good to keep to yourself. A PREACHER who was growing weary in the ministry had a dream. He saw himself pounding away at a huge chunk of granite with a pickax. It was his job to break it into small pieces. But as hard as he tried, he couldn't chip off even a tiny piece. At last, tired and disappointed, he decided to give up. Just then a stranger appeared and said, "Weren't you given orders to do that work? Your duty is to give it your best regardless of what happens." The minister, with renewed determination, grabbed the pickax, lifted it high in the air, and gave the granite a crushing blow. It broke into a thousand pieces. The dream helped the preacher realize the importance of not giving up. Perhaps the next "blow" will be the one that makes a life-and-death difference in someone's spiritual life. The Lord wants us to keep working at our God-given task no matter how difficult it might be. Even when success seems remote or impossible, we are to remain steadfast, assured that there will be an ample reward for those who persevere. In September of 2000, I attended the 100th-anniversary celebration of a small Bible college in Ohio. When the school began in 1900 with a handful of students and very little money, few observers thought it would last. A year after the doors opened, the founder died during a typhoid epidemic, and the school’s prospects appeared dim. A century later, some people wondered if the founder would have been surprised to find the school thriving. Whether or not he thought the institution would last for 100 years, everyone attending the celebration agreed that he expected the results to last forever. He knew that his work for God was of eternal value. That’s an assurance you and I can share as we live for the Lord. At the conclusion of a stirring passage on immortality and our victory in Christ over death, Paul concluded by saying, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1Corinthians 15:58). Service done in Jesus' name Lasts for all eternity, For God's Spirit does the work, Using folks like you and me. —D. De Haan Work done for God endures long after the worker dies. A traveler visiting Amsterdam was intrigued by a chiming tower in the middle of the city Every hour when the melody was played on the chimes, he would watch and listen. He became so interested that he asked permission to climb to the tower room to watch the musician. Once he got there, however, he didn't hear any music. All he heard was the thump and bang of the keys. In the chime room there was nothing but a terrible clatter, yet beautiful music floated across the city. In a small way this illustrates the difference between what we see happening in our lives and the beautiful work God is accomplishing in us as He works through us. Often in the clatter and thump of life, we wonder what is happening. But if we are faithful to God and obedient to His Spirit, others will see and hear the beauty and harmony of Christ's life in us. Let's hope in God. No matter how discordant things seem, He keeps the melody playing. —P R. Van Gorder