1 Corinthians 15:29-32 (WEL) Else what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why are they baptized for the dead? 30 And why are we in jeopardy every hour? 31 I solemnly affirm by your rejoicing, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, that I die daily. 32 If, after human manner, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is there for me if the dead do not rise? Let’s just eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. [Isaiah 22:13]
V29 Else what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why are they baptized for the dead?
There are something like 29 interpretations of this passage. The important thing is that the believer’s resurrection is true, promised, and will happen.
Believers were and are being killed. Baptized or not, they will be resurrected with a new body and enjoy eternity with God, the holy angels, and all believers of every age.
V30 And why are we in jeopardy every hour?
If Jesus’s resurrection and our resurrection are not true, then why does persecution come from those who don’t believe in the resurrection?
V31 I solemnly affirm by your rejoicing, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, that I die daily.
This is a death to self-interests to follow God’s interests. The Lord Jesus showed us the perfect example.
Luke 22:42 (MSB) “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
Paul states that he dies daily, which refers to the physical body growing weaker, especially with the great level of persecution that Paul faced.
V32 If, after human manner, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is there for me if the dead do not rise? Let’s just eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. [Isaiah 22:13]
Why bother preaching if it results in my death? If there is no resurrection, we might as well eat and drink until we do die.
Thus, he emphasizes the importance of the resurrection.
We learn:
• Some arguments emphasizing the importance of Jesus’s resurrection.
• The hope of physical resurrection is true.
Questions:
• Do you believe that you will be resurrected?
• Are you persecuted in any way for living your Christian life?