In the first verse of this chapter, Paul tells us that He is going to summarize/declare the Gospel.
1Co 15:1 ¶ Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
In 1 Cor 15:20 Paul says that Jesus rose from the dead and became the “firstborn” or those that sleep.
1Co 15:20 ¶ But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept.
1Co 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Paul likens being “made alive” to the resurrection of the dead. This is important because as the bible teaches us, we are “made alive” during this lifetime. Romans 6:4 describes this as “walking in newness of life”.
Confusing the resurrection with something that happens after we leave the “Earth” is the source of many problems.
Remembering that Jesus was crucified and died and rose again He was while on earth solves many of these problems
Ro 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so, (in the same manner) we also should walk in newness of life.
1Co 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
Paul tells us in verse 23 that the Second Coming occurs when a person is made alive.
Paul here uses the phrase “made alive” to identify the time of the Second Coming of Christ.
This of course tells us that Paul endorsed a Spiritual Second coming as is mentioned in Acts 3:19-21.
He tells us in His letters to the Ephesians and Colossians that this had already happened to His students.
Eph 2:5 (ASV) even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved).
Col 3:1 ¶ If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
This process is also illustrated in Acts 3:19-21.
According to the Apostle Paul, the Second Coming has already happened in the lives of those who were alive and had responded to His message about Jesus.
When Jesus comes into a person’s heart that person is resurrected/made alive/saved as Paul references in, Col 3:1.
Col 3:1 ¶ If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
We do not have to Die physically to experience the Second Coming/Resurrected life that Jesus made available to us.
God’s parable system has concealed these truths from those not intended to understand them.
We simply have to cooperate with God’s grace and deny ungodliness, Titus 2:11-12.
Tit 2:11 ¶ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, {hath…: or, to all men,
Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.
God’s grace has appeared to all men, but to obtain that grace from God a person needs to humble themselves before Him, James 4:6.
Jas 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Paul said in verse 1 that He is declaring the Gospel or good news. He begins by citing “Jesus’ resurrection” from the dead and then compares that to His fighting beasts in verse 32.
He then continues the topic of “a resurrection similar to Jesus’ resurrection” in verse 1 Cor 15:29 where He says “else” meaning that “if this resurrection is not the case”.
1Co 15:29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
1Co 15:1 ¶ Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1Co 15:30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?
1Co 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
1Co 15:32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we die.
In verse 31 Paul equates the resurrection of Jesus with His symbolic dying to the flesh (Nature) daily, and with being in jeopardy (v30).
The Christian resurrection is in verse 32 also linked with fighting beasts (Enemies of God).
Using these personal references Paul refers to baptism for the dead and the problems a Christian will face as they undergo this process, Rm 6:2-6.
Ro 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
He contrasts this with His understanding of His spiritual baptism and resurrection and says “if this is not so” why do we battle beasts in the spiritual realm?
His Baptism includes fighting “Beasts” of a spiritual nature.
Why are people being baptized for the dead and identifying with the death of Jesus if He did not rise from the dead?
When using the word “sleep” in verses 1 Cor 15:6 and 51 it can be seen that Paul has a pattern of referring to death either as a condition of spiritual unawareness, or one of physical death. He leaves it to the reader to follow His thinking and determine which form of death He is speaking of.
He says He dies daily and implies that the battle with beasts and being in Jeopardy are outward signs of the Baptism that He is undergoing. Since He says He dies yet continues to fight it is clear that in this case spiritual death is referred to.
The result of a successful battle is a resurrection similar to Jesus’ resurrection.
In 1 Cor 15:34, He says to awake to righteousness and sin not.
Paul associates Christian baptism and resurrection with death to sin and planting or sowing in 1 Cor 15:35.
Ro 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Again it is clear that Christians begin this resurrection or the planting of a seed, when they are made alive.
Col 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (KJV)
Ro 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.
1Co 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption
He suggests sowing the seed while in a state of corruption and resurrecting the seed in an uncorrupted state.
This speaks of denying ungodliness and being saved by cooperating with God’s grace.
Common theology would suggest that “clothing oneself with” or “being transformed into” an incorruptible state is something that happens after physical death.
This cannot be the explanation, however, because the “Corrupt” state must clothe itself with the state of “incorruption”.
After we die, we are not subject to moral corruption, so this process of putting something on cannot refer to something that happens after physical death.
This suggests that the process of being clothed with Christ or incorruption happens during a Christian’s lifetime and involves the process of ceasing from sin or being baptized into Christ.
As He compares the Believer’s “Resurrection” to that of Jesus in 1 Thessalonians 4:14, He tells us what happens if a Christian willfully practices sin after they have come to faith in Christ. Paul refers to sleep as a condition of the living because the “sleeping” state referred to here is seen to be a voluntary condition or “spiritual passivity” or unawareness in 1 Thess 5:6.
1Th 4:13 ¶ But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
In 1 Thess 5:6-10 Paul associates those suffering the wrath of God with those sleeping or involved in willful sin. Willful sin is the abomination that causes God to bring about desolation. Romans says that the wrath of God is revealed against ungodliness, Rm 1:18. The wrath of God is literally what Christians are “Saved from”.
Ro 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.
This form of sleep, in Paul’s mind, represented unconfessed sinfulness.
1Th 5:6 ¶ Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 1Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
When all sin has been forgiven the person is “Awake”.
In verse 1 Cor 15:58 He says that we have to “labor” or “work” to put on incorruption. In other words, Christians need to fight the beasts and stop sinning. This is literal Christian baptism, being baptized into Christ is similar to how people were baptized into Moses in the desert, 1 Cor 10:2.
Just to address the “we don’t have to work for salvation” opinion, remember all scriptural references to “not working” refer to not doing the “works of the law”. In other words, “not sacrificing an animal to obtain forgiveness”. This does not mean we do not have to work for our salvation as is falsely claimed. We need to work out our salvation, Phil 2:12, Acts 26:20, and Rev 2:5.
Php 2:12 ¶ Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Ac 26:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
Re 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
1Co 10:2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.
1 Corinthians 15:50-53 are about the spiritual transformation of a Christian. Specifically, their transformation from corruptible to incorruptible.
In verse 51 we see that whether a Christian overcomes the flesh nature, or they sleep (1 Thess 5:10) and do not overcome the flesh nature they will live with Jesus based on their faith in Him.
Verse 54 shows that the mortal (our present condition) must put on immortality, and the seed or soul is planted. A mortal person must do this. This shows that it happens during this lifetime and not after physical death.
The method that the Corinthians must employ to put on immortality of spirit can be seen in verse 52.
The Greek word translated “twinkling” (Strong’s #4493) can mean “to cast”.
The word translated “in a moment” (Strong’s Greek word # 823) can mean “undivided”.
This transformation is accomplished through an undivided gaze at Jesus.
The “undivided casting of the eye” or uninterrupted attention directed towards the sound of the trumpet will bring about this transformation.
Just as Peter walked on the water as long as His attention was fixed upon Jesus, Matt 14:25-33.
The trumpet is of course the message or voice of Christ, as can be seen from Revelation 1:10-11.
An undivided “casting of the eye” “or gaze” (# 4493) at Jesus (the sound of the trumpet) will bring about this transformation from corruptible to incorruptible. this is similar to when Peter walked on water as long as He looked at Jesus, Matt 14:29.
This illustrates the process of a Christian being conformed into the “image” of incorruption or the image of Christ Jesus.
Jesus of course, had an incorruptible Spirit (He did not sin), while He was in the Body. Flesh and blood did not inherit the kingdom of God, which is righteousness Joy and peace (Rm 14:17), His Spirit inherited it.
Ro 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Verses 55-58 indicate that this transformation happens progressively as the Christian stops sinning.
God’s grace teaches them to deny ungodliness and stop sinning thereby “putting on incorruption” (Titus 2:11-12) as they fix their eyes on Jesus.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:16 we see the same sort of trumpet blown, however this time the sound of the trumpet (more specifically the intervention of the Lord) is used to wake the sleeping or willfully sinful brethren as the so-called Rapture parable illustrates.
In verse 58 Paul tells those He is writing to that their labor is not in vain. Whether they completely overcome the flesh nature or not their labor towards that end or goal is not in vain.
The willfully sinful “sleeping” brother or sister in Christ is awakened in 1 Thess 4:13 -5:8 (they stop the willful sin).
They do this through the Lord’s intervention or “discipline” (the time of discipline is referred to as the “Day of the Lord”).
A Christian’s personal transformation from corruptible to incorruptible can resume when they stop willful sin.
After the discipline referred to as the “Day of the Lord” the Christian who has stopped willfully sinning joins the brethren who “remained” faithful to Christ (successfully resisted willfully sinning) in the air (where the devil is the prince of the power of the air), 1 Thess 4:17.
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
They join the brethren who have remained faithful to Christ “in the “air” indicating that this process which can be referred to as “discipline for correction” happens during this present life on earth.