1 Corinthians: Not in VainSýnishorn

'So, do you believe in life after death?’

It’s a question that sometimes crops up in conversation, perhaps prompted by some strange TV show about the paranormal, or amongst friends after the loss of a loved one. But generally speaking, it’s often a subject that is seen as slightly trivial or just too hypothetical to be worth dwelling on. 

But having outlined his certainty about future resurrection, Paul now anticipates a similar question about whether it’s all really possible (v. 35). In essence, his response will be to demonstrate that resurrection means a whole new way of being alive. 

Two parallels from nature help us imagine it. First, the way that lifeless seeds being sown into the ground will typically result in glorious life (vv. 36–37), and second, the way that different creatures have different types of bodies (vv. 39–41). So too it is with resurrection: our lifeless bodies will be sown and raised as glorious bodies, albeit different to their previous bodily state. 

By the way, Paul’s distinction between ‘spiritual’ and ‘natural’ (vv. 43–46) is not about contrasting ethereal and physical bodies. It’s a reference to what is driving each body: resurrection bodies will certainly be physical (just as Jesus’ was), but unlike our earthly bodies, they will be Spirit-driven and therefore imperishable. Whether we’re alive when this happens (v. 51), or whether we’ve died (‘asleep’, as Paul puts it), all of us will be transformed: the dead clothed with immortality and death finally defeated (vv. 53–57). 

But so what? Paul ends with a final appeal to live in light of the resurrection that awaits us. If we lose sight of this future, we will simply live for today (15:32). But being confident of its reality and goodness, we have nothing to lose. We can give ourselves fully to the ‘work of the Lord’ now (v. 58), sacrificially serving each other and sharing the ‘foolish’ gospel of Christ, all the while knowing that we can’t lose out. Resurrection means it is not in vain.

Reflection

Does today’s passage help you imagine what our resurrection will be like? 

Imagine life without death, without the effects of sin or without decay. Give thanks to God who gives us hope through Jesus and reflect on how this glorious future liberates you to give yourselves to God’s work in this life now.