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1 Corinthians 15:50-58
50 I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Summary
How does the Christian view death? Do we have a real hope or is it more of a wish? Earlier in the chapter, Paul provided eyewitness testimony to the fact that Christ was raised from the dead. Next, he speaks to the implications of the resurrection: sins forgiven, new birth, no condemnation, no divine wrath, and the promise of our own resurrection. But when and how will this day come? This is the day that Paul turns to in our passage. This last day is a unique day among all days, a day that is profound, mysterious, and glorious. Looking at this day correctly changes the way we look at today and the rest of our earthly days.
Review and Apply
What does Paul mean when he says "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God?" Does John 3:3-8 help us understand what Paul has in mind?
Paul says that our "perishable" bodies must put on "imperishable" bodies. How does this speak to society's understanding of beauty?
As Christians we have hope beyond the grave. How does that hope make you think about how you live now? What influence does it have on your evangelism?
In verse 58, Paul tells us how the resurrection affects our lives now. He says we should always abound in the work of the Lord. Do you consider the things you do throughout the day (at home, at work, on the road) as the work of the Lord?
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