Point, Resurrection

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Study Group meeting October 30 to study 1 Corinthians 15.  This is a pretty focused chapter (resurrection), but convoluted in approach.  One of the most problematic statements in Scripture is found here.  The transitions are odd, the structure of his argument a bit difficult to sense, and some elements are just down right confusing.

While some of the difficulties are due to a missing historical context or detail, some just are that way and would have been for them too.  Another issue is that this is possibly the most technically theological chapter in the entire letter.  I suspect that this chapter forms a major foundational element to how the commentator I've been reading understands the rest of the letter; that the church held a totally busted end-time view.

Some of what we'll find has to do with a mixing of pop-philosophy with the theology Paul taught them.  Sometimes, if they couldn't explain something Paul taught, they just ditched it in preference to the popular philosophical idea.  But that doesn't work in every problem we face in this chapter.

Read through the chapter a few times.  You may find it helpful to read the whole letter to see if you can find any of these concepts throughout the rest of the letter.  Jot down questions, observations, and insights you gain as you read through it.  Try and find Paul's structure to his argument.

After you've complied a good list of questions and observations, read through again with the list below:

• Why do you think, at the end, finally, he brings up the 'gospel' which he goes to great lengths to substantiate with a 'pedigree'?
• Verses 1 through 11 stand as one piece.  What do you think is the point of this first piece of Paul's argument?
• What two things does Paul specifically point to which he says are Scriptural?  Where do you think he gets that?
• In verse 12, Paul reveals that there are some who say that there is no resurrection.  Read Acts 17:22-32, where might this problem be coming from?
• Verses 12 through 19 seems to set off a second element, though not necessarily.  Here Paul stress the problems we face if there is no resurrection.  What do you think of these problems?
• Why would it be necessarily true that no resurrection means Jesus wasn't raised?  What is it about Jesus do you think Paul refers to here?
• Paul 'chains' four things together from verse 13 through 15.  What do you think of his progression here?  It makes some sense, but what about the 'false witnesses' piece, how do you think that fits in the progression, or does it?
• In verses 16 through 19 seems to start his point from 13 over again.  This progression is very different though.  Why do you think if Jesus died for our sins, but wasn't raised, we're still in our sins?  Wasn't it 'the cross' that saves us?
• In verse 18, Paul says then that those who die, really are lost, and then in 19 that we have no hope.  What do you think of his argument here?  What hope is there if there is no resurrection?
• In verse 20, Paul possibly begins a third section/point.  Here Paul begins a discussion on one of his favorite topics, Jesus over against Adam as the 'antithesis' of the fall.  How difficult is it here to see Paul's connection between Jesus and Adam?  
• In verse 23, there is now some sort of order in resurrection, and Paul describes the end times.  As you read verses 23 through 28, do you think Paul is assuming that Jesus reigns now?  That His Kingdom is current?
• The last enemy is death, which, for Paul, requires resurrection.  But when do you think this enemy will 'fall'?
• Finally, in verses 27 and 28, Paul describes a convoluted authority structure between the Father and the Son.  What do you learn of God's 'Trinitarian' nature from this description?
• Okay, so 'Baptism for the dead'; what commentary do you find on this subject?  Just bring it, because this is perhaps one of the weirdest side comments in all of Scripture.
• In verse 30, Paul goes into why he risks his life.  Why would he if there is no hope of resurrection?
• In verses 29 through 32, Paul is unpacking the lack of hope, but what turn does his argument take in verse 33?  What do you think 'bad company' might mean for this issue?
• What clue do you find in verse 34 that might indicate how this issue underlies the other pieces of the letter?
• In verse 35 is thought to be another break, but I suspect that actually it goes with verse 33 and 34.  So, I would break at 33 not 35.  What do you think?
• From 35 through much of the rest of the chapter, Paul argues for the reality of the resurrection in more concrete terms.  What do you think is his point in verses 36 through 41?
• What do you think of his contrasting argument after verse 41?  Does this clarify or obscure your understanding?
• He seems to state his contrasting elements in verses 42 through 49, but then in 50 and to the end, he 'goes off' on what it means for us.  How does Paul's description in 50 through 58 give you hope personally?
•  Do you get the feeling that at the next battle, a bunch of Christians will start looking at the skies when the signal trumpet sounds? 
• The implication of verse 58 is that the Corinthians have not been steadfast so far.  What do you think happened to cause them to waver?  How do you think this has or does happen to us?

This should keep us busy for a while, possibly a few weeks.  I look forward to studying with you!