If there is no resurrection, why did Paul endure so many hardships and dangers in his ministry? The apostle"s sacrifices do not prove there will be a resurrection, but they do show that he believed there would be one. He willingly faced death daily because he believed God would raise him and that his resurrected body would continue beyond the grave. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
1 Corinthians 15:29-41 - This Body The Seed Of A Glorious One
The anticipation of the final resurrection enabled the early Christians to endure incredible sufferings. As one rank fell martyred, another was ready to step into its place; and the catechumens, or young believers, took the names of the martyrs, so as to perpetuate their testimony. With this hope in his heart Paul himself had confronted at Ephesus the tumult of the infuriated mob, Acts 19:1-41. Belief in this sublime undoing of the last effects of sin was one of the chief features in the conquering power of Christianity.
In every seed there is the germ of a new and beautiful growth, more elaborate and yet identical; so in each of us there is something which has the capacity and potentiality of furnishing another body, through which the emancipated spirit will be able to express itself more perfectly than it can in this body, which is composed of coarser materials. It is not difficult to believe in this, when we have seen the caterpillar become the butterfly. The world is full of wonderful and beautiful things. God's inventiveness reveals itself in a myriad differing organisms. It is by His will that the golden head of wheat is fairer than the little brown seed cast into the furrow; so it is His pleasure that the body which is to be shall surpass the present in glory. [source]
Chapter Summary: 1 Corinthians 15
1By Christ's resurrection, 12he proves the necessity of our resurrection, 16against all such as deny the resurrection of the body 21The fruit, 35and the manner thereof; 51and of the resurrection of those who shall be found alive at the last day
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 15:30
Why do we also stand in jeopardy every hour? [τι και ημεις κινδυνευομεν πασαν ωραν] We also as well as those who receive baptism which symbolizes death. Old verb from κινδυνος kindunos (peril, danger), in N.T. only here and Luke 8:23. Paul‘s Epistles and Acts (especially chapter Acts 19) throw light on Paul‘s argument. He was never out of danger from Damascus to the last visit to Rome. There are perils in Ephesus of which we do not know (2 Corinthians 1:8.) whatever may be true as to an Ephesian imprisonment. G. S. Duncan (St. Paul‘s Ephesian Ministry, 1930) even argues for several imprisonments in Ephesus. The accusative of time (πασαν ωραν pasan hōran) naturally means all through every hour (extension). [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 15:30
Luke 8:23Came down [κατεβη] Second aorist active indicative of καταβαινω katabainō common verb. It was literally true. These wind storms Mark‘s (Mark 4:37) vivid use of the dramatic present γινεται ginetai (ariseth) is not so precise as Luke‘s “came down.” See note on Matthew 8:24. These sudden squalls were dangerous on this small lake.They were filling (συνεπληρουντο suneplērounto). Imperfect passive. It was the boat that was being filled (Mark 4:37) and it is here applied to the navigators as sailors sometimes spoke. An old verb, but in the N.T. used only by Luke (Luke 8:23; Luke 9:51; Acts 2:1).Were in jeopardy Imperfect active, vivid description. Old verb, but in the N.T. only here, Acts 19:27; 1 Corinthians 15:30. [source]
Acts 19:40For indeed we are in danger to be accused concerning this day‘s riot [και γαρ κινδυνευομεν εγκαλεισται στασεως περι της σημερον] The text is uncertain. The text of Westcott and Hort means “to be accused of insurrection concerning today‘s assembly.” The peril was real. Κινδυνευομεν Kinduneuomen from κινδυνος kindunos danger, peril. Old verb, but in the N.T. only here and Luke 8:23; 1 Corinthians 15:30. [source]
Acts 20:18From the first day that [απο πρωτης ημερας απ ης] “From first day from which.” He had first “set foot” Literally, “How I came (from Asia and so was) with you.” Cf. 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-10 where Paul likewise dares to refer boldly to his life while with them “all the time” (τον παντα χρονον ton panta chronon). Accusative of duration of time. So far as we know, Paul stuck to Ephesus the whole period. He had devoted himself consecratedly to the task in Ephesus. Each pastor is bishop of his field and has a golden opportunity to work it for Christ. One of the saddest things about the present situation is the restlessness of preachers to go elsewhere instead of devoting themselves wholly to the task where they are. 19. Serving the Lord It was Paul‘s glory to be the δουλος doulos (bond-slave) as in Romans 1:1; Philemon 1:1. Paul alone, save Jesus in Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13, uses δουλευω douleuō six times for serving God (Page). With all lowliness of mind (μετα πασης ταπεινοπροσυνης meta pasēs tapeinophrosunēs). Lightfoot notes that heathen writers use this word for a grovelling, abject state of mind, but Paul follows Christ in using it for humility, humble-mindedness that should mark every Christian and in particular the preacher. With tears Construed with μετα meta Paul was a man of the deepest emotion along with his high intellectuality. He mentions his tears again in Acts 20:31, tears of sorrow and of anxiety. He refers to his tears in writing the sharp letter to the church in Corinth (2 Corinthians 2:4) and in denouncing the sensual apostates in Philemon 3:18. Adolphe Monod has a wonderful sermon on the tears of Paul. Consider also the tears of Jesus. Trials which befell me (πειρασμων των συμβαντων μοι peirasmōn tōn sumbantōn moi). Construed also with μετα meta Second aorist active participle of συνβαινω sunbain to walk with, to go with, to come together, to happen, to befall. Very common in this sense in the old Greek (cf. Acts 3:10). By the plots of the Jews Like the plot (επιβουλη epiboulē) against him in Corinth (Acts 20:3) as well as the earlier trial before Gallio and the attacks in Thessalonica. In Acts 19:9 Luke shows the hostile attitude of the Jews in Ephesus that drove Paul out of the synagogue to the school of Tyrannus. He does not describe in detail these “plots” which may easily be imagined from Paul‘s own letters and may be even referred to in 1 Corinthians 4:10; 1 Corinthians 15:30.; 1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 1:4-10; 2 Corinthians 7:5; 2 Corinthians 11:23. In fact, one has only to dwell on the allusions in 2 Corinthians 11 to picture what Paul‘s life was in Ephesus during these three years. Luke gives in Acts 19 the outbreak of Demetrius, but Paul had already fought with “wild-beasts” there. [source]
Acts 20:18Serving the Lord [δουλευων τωι κυριωι] It was Paul‘s glory to be the δουλος doulos (bond-slave) as in Romans 1:1; Philemon 1:1. Paul alone, save Jesus in Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13, uses δουλευω douleuō six times for serving God (Page). With all lowliness of mind (μετα πασης ταπεινοπροσυνης meta pasēs tapeinophrosunēs). Lightfoot notes that heathen writers use this word for a grovelling, abject state of mind, but Paul follows Christ in using it for humility, humble-mindedness that should mark every Christian and in particular the preacher. With tears Construed with μετα meta Paul was a man of the deepest emotion along with his high intellectuality. He mentions his tears again in Acts 20:31, tears of sorrow and of anxiety. He refers to his tears in writing the sharp letter to the church in Corinth (2 Corinthians 2:4) and in denouncing the sensual apostates in Philemon 3:18. Adolphe Monod has a wonderful sermon on the tears of Paul. Consider also the tears of Jesus. Trials which befell me (πειρασμων των συμβαντων μοι peirasmōn tōn sumbantōn moi). Construed also with μετα meta Second aorist active participle of συνβαινω sunbain to walk with, to go with, to come together, to happen, to befall. Very common in this sense in the old Greek (cf. Acts 3:10). By the plots of the Jews Like the plot (επιβουλη epiboulē) against him in Corinth (Acts 20:3) as well as the earlier trial before Gallio and the attacks in Thessalonica. In Acts 19:9 Luke shows the hostile attitude of the Jews in Ephesus that drove Paul out of the synagogue to the school of Tyrannus. He does not describe in detail these “plots” which may easily be imagined from Paul‘s own letters and may be even referred to in 1 Corinthians 4:10; 1 Corinthians 15:30.; 1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 1:4-10; 2 Corinthians 7:5; 2 Corinthians 11:23. In fact, one has only to dwell on the allusions in 2 Corinthians 11 to picture what Paul‘s life was in Ephesus during these three years. Luke gives in Acts 19 the outbreak of Demetrius, but Paul had already fought with “wild-beasts” there. [source]
Acts 20:18With tears [δακρυων] Construed with μετα meta Paul was a man of the deepest emotion along with his high intellectuality. He mentions his tears again in Acts 20:31, tears of sorrow and of anxiety. He refers to his tears in writing the sharp letter to the church in Corinth (2 Corinthians 2:4) and in denouncing the sensual apostates in Philemon 3:18. Adolphe Monod has a wonderful sermon on the tears of Paul. Consider also the tears of Jesus. Trials which befell me (πειρασμων των συμβαντων μοι peirasmōn tōn sumbantōn moi). Construed also with μετα meta Second aorist active participle of συνβαινω sunbain to walk with, to go with, to come together, to happen, to befall. Very common in this sense in the old Greek (cf. Acts 3:10). By the plots of the Jews Like the plot (επιβουλη epiboulē) against him in Corinth (Acts 20:3) as well as the earlier trial before Gallio and the attacks in Thessalonica. In Acts 19:9 Luke shows the hostile attitude of the Jews in Ephesus that drove Paul out of the synagogue to the school of Tyrannus. He does not describe in detail these “plots” which may easily be imagined from Paul‘s own letters and may be even referred to in 1 Corinthians 4:10; 1 Corinthians 15:30.; 1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 1:4-10; 2 Corinthians 7:5; 2 Corinthians 11:23. In fact, one has only to dwell on the allusions in 2 Corinthians 11 to picture what Paul‘s life was in Ephesus during these three years. Luke gives in Acts 19 the outbreak of Demetrius, but Paul had already fought with “wild-beasts” there. [source]
Acts 20:18By the plots of the Jews [εν ταις επιβουλαις των Ιουδαιων] Like the plot (επιβουλη epiboulē) against him in Corinth (Acts 20:3) as well as the earlier trial before Gallio and the attacks in Thessalonica. In Acts 19:9 Luke shows the hostile attitude of the Jews in Ephesus that drove Paul out of the synagogue to the school of Tyrannus. He does not describe in detail these “plots” which may easily be imagined from Paul‘s own letters and may be even referred to in 1 Corinthians 4:10; 1 Corinthians 15:30.; 1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 1:4-10; 2 Corinthians 7:5; 2 Corinthians 11:23. In fact, one has only to dwell on the allusions in 2 Corinthians 11 to picture what Paul‘s life was in Ephesus during these three years. Luke gives in Acts 19 the outbreak of Demetrius, but Paul had already fought with “wild-beasts” there. [source]
1 Corinthians 15:29Which are baptized for the dead [οι βαπτιζομενοι υπερ των νεκρων] This passage remains a puzzle. Stanley gives thirteen interpretations, no one of which may be correct. Over thirty have been suggested. The Greek expositors took it to be about the dead Tertullian tells of some heretics who took it to mean baptized in the place of dead people (unsaved) in order to save them. Some take it to be baptism over the dead. Others take it to mean that Paul and others were in peril of death as shown by baptism (see 1 Corinthians 15:30). At all (ολως holōs). See note on 1 Corinthians 5:1. [source]
What do the individual words in 1 Corinthians 15:30 mean?
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ὥρα
Sense: a certain definite time or season fixed by natural law and returning with the revolving year.
What are the major concepts related to 1 Corinthians 15:30?
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 15:30
We also as well as those who receive baptism which symbolizes death. Old verb from κινδυνος kindunos (peril, danger), in N.T. only here and Luke 8:23. Paul‘s Epistles and Acts (especially chapter Acts 19) throw light on Paul‘s argument. He was never out of danger from Damascus to the last visit to Rome. There are perils in Ephesus of which we do not know (2 Corinthians 1:8.) whatever may be true as to an Ephesian imprisonment. G. S. Duncan (St. Paul‘s Ephesian Ministry, 1930) even argues for several imprisonments in Ephesus. The accusative of time (πασαν ωραν pasan hōran) naturally means all through every hour (extension). [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 15:30
Strictly, flying fowl. The common word for bird in the New Testament. Ὄρνις , occurs Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34; but both times in the sense of hen. See on Matthew 23:37. Ὄρνεον is found in Revelation 18:2; Revelation 19:17, Revelation 19:21; and πτηνόν , another form for the word in this passage, occurs 1 Corinthians 15:30. [source]
Imperfect active, vivid description. Old verb, but in the N.T. only here, Acts 19:27; 1 Corinthians 15:30. [source]
Second aorist active indicative of καταβαινω katabainō common verb. It was literally true. These wind storms Mark‘s (Mark 4:37) vivid use of the dramatic present γινεται ginetai (ariseth) is not so precise as Luke‘s “came down.” See note on Matthew 8:24. These sudden squalls were dangerous on this small lake.They were filling (συνεπληρουντο suneplērounto). Imperfect passive. It was the boat that was being filled (Mark 4:37) and it is here applied to the navigators as sailors sometimes spoke. An old verb, but in the N.T. used only by Luke (Luke 8:23; Luke 9:51; Acts 2:1).Were in jeopardy Imperfect active, vivid description. Old verb, but in the N.T. only here, Acts 19:27; 1 Corinthians 15:30. [source]
The text is uncertain. The text of Westcott and Hort means “to be accused of insurrection concerning today‘s assembly.” The peril was real. Κινδυνευομεν Kinduneuomen from κινδυνος kindunos danger, peril. Old verb, but in the N.T. only here and Luke 8:23; 1 Corinthians 15:30. [source]
“From first day from which.” He had first “set foot” Literally, “How I came (from Asia and so was) with you.” Cf. 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-10 where Paul likewise dares to refer boldly to his life while with them “all the time” (τον παντα χρονον ton panta chronon). Accusative of duration of time. So far as we know, Paul stuck to Ephesus the whole period. He had devoted himself consecratedly to the task in Ephesus. Each pastor is bishop of his field and has a golden opportunity to work it for Christ. One of the saddest things about the present situation is the restlessness of preachers to go elsewhere instead of devoting themselves wholly to the task where they are. 19. Serving the Lord It was Paul‘s glory to be the δουλος doulos (bond-slave) as in Romans 1:1; Philemon 1:1. Paul alone, save Jesus in Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13, uses δουλευω douleuō six times for serving God (Page). With all lowliness of mind (μετα πασης ταπεινοπροσυνης meta pasēs tapeinophrosunēs). Lightfoot notes that heathen writers use this word for a grovelling, abject state of mind, but Paul follows Christ in using it for humility, humble-mindedness that should mark every Christian and in particular the preacher. With tears Construed with μετα meta Paul was a man of the deepest emotion along with his high intellectuality. He mentions his tears again in Acts 20:31, tears of sorrow and of anxiety. He refers to his tears in writing the sharp letter to the church in Corinth (2 Corinthians 2:4) and in denouncing the sensual apostates in Philemon 3:18. Adolphe Monod has a wonderful sermon on the tears of Paul. Consider also the tears of Jesus. Trials which befell me (πειρασμων των συμβαντων μοι peirasmōn tōn sumbantōn moi). Construed also with μετα meta Second aorist active participle of συνβαινω sunbain to walk with, to go with, to come together, to happen, to befall. Very common in this sense in the old Greek (cf. Acts 3:10). By the plots of the Jews Like the plot (επιβουλη epiboulē) against him in Corinth (Acts 20:3) as well as the earlier trial before Gallio and the attacks in Thessalonica. In Acts 19:9 Luke shows the hostile attitude of the Jews in Ephesus that drove Paul out of the synagogue to the school of Tyrannus. He does not describe in detail these “plots” which may easily be imagined from Paul‘s own letters and may be even referred to in 1 Corinthians 4:10; 1 Corinthians 15:30.; 1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 1:4-10; 2 Corinthians 7:5; 2 Corinthians 11:23. In fact, one has only to dwell on the allusions in 2 Corinthians 11 to picture what Paul‘s life was in Ephesus during these three years. Luke gives in Acts 19 the outbreak of Demetrius, but Paul had already fought with “wild-beasts” there. [source]
It was Paul‘s glory to be the δουλος doulos (bond-slave) as in Romans 1:1; Philemon 1:1. Paul alone, save Jesus in Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13, uses δουλευω douleuō six times for serving God (Page). With all lowliness of mind (μετα πασης ταπεινοπροσυνης meta pasēs tapeinophrosunēs). Lightfoot notes that heathen writers use this word for a grovelling, abject state of mind, but Paul follows Christ in using it for humility, humble-mindedness that should mark every Christian and in particular the preacher. With tears Construed with μετα meta Paul was a man of the deepest emotion along with his high intellectuality. He mentions his tears again in Acts 20:31, tears of sorrow and of anxiety. He refers to his tears in writing the sharp letter to the church in Corinth (2 Corinthians 2:4) and in denouncing the sensual apostates in Philemon 3:18. Adolphe Monod has a wonderful sermon on the tears of Paul. Consider also the tears of Jesus. Trials which befell me (πειρασμων των συμβαντων μοι peirasmōn tōn sumbantōn moi). Construed also with μετα meta Second aorist active participle of συνβαινω sunbain to walk with, to go with, to come together, to happen, to befall. Very common in this sense in the old Greek (cf. Acts 3:10). By the plots of the Jews Like the plot (επιβουλη epiboulē) against him in Corinth (Acts 20:3) as well as the earlier trial before Gallio and the attacks in Thessalonica. In Acts 19:9 Luke shows the hostile attitude of the Jews in Ephesus that drove Paul out of the synagogue to the school of Tyrannus. He does not describe in detail these “plots” which may easily be imagined from Paul‘s own letters and may be even referred to in 1 Corinthians 4:10; 1 Corinthians 15:30.; 1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 1:4-10; 2 Corinthians 7:5; 2 Corinthians 11:23. In fact, one has only to dwell on the allusions in 2 Corinthians 11 to picture what Paul‘s life was in Ephesus during these three years. Luke gives in Acts 19 the outbreak of Demetrius, but Paul had already fought with “wild-beasts” there. [source]
Construed with μετα meta Paul was a man of the deepest emotion along with his high intellectuality. He mentions his tears again in Acts 20:31, tears of sorrow and of anxiety. He refers to his tears in writing the sharp letter to the church in Corinth (2 Corinthians 2:4) and in denouncing the sensual apostates in Philemon 3:18. Adolphe Monod has a wonderful sermon on the tears of Paul. Consider also the tears of Jesus. Trials which befell me (πειρασμων των συμβαντων μοι peirasmōn tōn sumbantōn moi). Construed also with μετα meta Second aorist active participle of συνβαινω sunbain to walk with, to go with, to come together, to happen, to befall. Very common in this sense in the old Greek (cf. Acts 3:10). By the plots of the Jews Like the plot (επιβουλη epiboulē) against him in Corinth (Acts 20:3) as well as the earlier trial before Gallio and the attacks in Thessalonica. In Acts 19:9 Luke shows the hostile attitude of the Jews in Ephesus that drove Paul out of the synagogue to the school of Tyrannus. He does not describe in detail these “plots” which may easily be imagined from Paul‘s own letters and may be even referred to in 1 Corinthians 4:10; 1 Corinthians 15:30.; 1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 1:4-10; 2 Corinthians 7:5; 2 Corinthians 11:23. In fact, one has only to dwell on the allusions in 2 Corinthians 11 to picture what Paul‘s life was in Ephesus during these three years. Luke gives in Acts 19 the outbreak of Demetrius, but Paul had already fought with “wild-beasts” there. [source]
Like the plot (επιβουλη epiboulē) against him in Corinth (Acts 20:3) as well as the earlier trial before Gallio and the attacks in Thessalonica. In Acts 19:9 Luke shows the hostile attitude of the Jews in Ephesus that drove Paul out of the synagogue to the school of Tyrannus. He does not describe in detail these “plots” which may easily be imagined from Paul‘s own letters and may be even referred to in 1 Corinthians 4:10; 1 Corinthians 15:30.; 1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 1:4-10; 2 Corinthians 7:5; 2 Corinthians 11:23. In fact, one has only to dwell on the allusions in 2 Corinthians 11 to picture what Paul‘s life was in Ephesus during these three years. Luke gives in Acts 19 the outbreak of Demetrius, but Paul had already fought with “wild-beasts” there. [source]
This passage remains a puzzle. Stanley gives thirteen interpretations, no one of which may be correct. Over thirty have been suggested. The Greek expositors took it to be about the dead Tertullian tells of some heretics who took it to mean baptized in the place of dead people (unsaved) in order to save them. Some take it to be baptism over the dead. Others take it to mean that Paul and others were in peril of death as shown by baptism (see 1 Corinthians 15:30). At all (ολως holōs). See note on 1 Corinthians 5:1. [source]