Bible Study 1 Corinthians 15:12-19

Introduction

Our last time together you will remember that we dealt with the Good news, the Gospel news, in the beginning of Chapter 15 of 1 Corinthians. Paul made an apologetics argument to the totality of the gospel, the death, burial , and resurrection of Jesus. He further went on to share the various witnesses that saw Jesus following the resurrection. He was seen by Cephas ( Peter), by the remaining twelve, of Paul himself along with five hundred varying witnesses. Paul was pressing home that if anyone believes anything less that the full gospel message, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus that it is no gospel at all.

And dearly beloved, the same holds true for us. If we do not believe Christ rose from the dead and was resurrected and sits at the right hand of the Father, then we have a false doctrine.

Paul shares two realities if that is the case in tonight’s study:

V. 14-listen closely.

1 Corinthians 15:12–19 NKJV

12 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

Message

Paul will hammer home the importance of a belief in the complete gospel of the resurrection because if you do not believe, He states: Firstly, our preaching is in vain, and our faith is empty. In other words, everything we look forward to from this point in the gospel will not take place.

Corinth’s Cultural and Philosophical Influence

Corinth was a major Greek city steeped in Hellenistic (Greek) philosophy, especially Platonism. Greeks often viewed the physical body as inferior or even evil, and they idealized the immortality of the soul apart from the body.

Greek Dualism: They divided the world into spirit = good, matter = bad. So, to them, salvation meant escaping the body, not resurrecting it.

Crazy as it may sound I somewhat understand their thinking to some degree. You may know people and we see so much on TV that conveys the feelings of a person who has been raped or lived such a promiscuous lifestyle, there is this feeling that you can’t be washed enough to make you clean.

I had a coworker some years ago that worked for a short time at my Millbrook store and he got on Crystal Meth. I saw a quick and terrible deterioration of his total being. He lost his wife and his child and the epitome of the scene was he was discovered in total nudity huddled up under a home’s conventional foundation in the freezing cold. Invariably, addictive personalities when they are straight are very sharp individuals in many cases. I struggle to see the two extremes in my mind of those two very diverse scenes of this young man. And, outside of this addiction, he was a great guy.

If in his sobriety he saw the scene that Law Enforcement had saw when arrested and taken from the home where he was hiding to escape the elements, how would he handle that reality of his fallen estate? Oh the blessed hope of the Lord’s love for us and He loves us even in such a state, but I imagine the young man would have a struggle accepting himself.

There are people that say “God could never love me because of my past.” You just do not know what was in my past.

I can appreciate the fact they do not want anything to do with this old filthy body that we have. The great news is that we will have a glorified body that we will cover in greater detail later. But they struggled with the idea of getting their bodies back.

Thus, many Corinthians struggled with the concept of bodily resurrection — it sounded grotesque or unnecessary. They may have believed in spiritual survival, but not physical resurrection.

“They were fine with Christ being raised — as long as it didn’t imply that all believers would be physically raised too. That was too much for their Greek-trained minds to accept.”

Misunderstanding the Gospel’s Full Scope

While the Corinthians accepted Jesus’ resurrection (to some degree), they denied that believers would one day be physically resurrected. Paul confronts this contradiction in verse 12:

“Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?”

They had unknowingly split the gospel — affirming Christ's resurrection while rejecting the implications for their own bodily future.

“Paul’s argument is clear: you can’t separate the resurrection of Christ from the resurrection of believers. They rise or fall together. If there’s no resurrection for us, then Christ wasn’t raised either — and everything unravels.”

Why This Matters for Us Today

Just as the Corinthians rejected the bodily resurrection due to cultural pressures, so too today people may accept a spiritual Jesus or a metaphorical resurrection, but deny the literal, historical, and bodily resurrection.

Modern skepticism mirrors ancient Greek doubt — elevating reason over revelation.

Many today want the comfort of Christian ethics without the cost of Christian truth — especially the resurrection.

“The believers in Corinth were confused — not because they didn’t believe in life after death, but because they didn’t believe in the bodily resurrection. Influenced by Greek philosophy, they thought salvation was about the soul escaping the body, not about the body being redeemed. But Paul says plainly: if you deny the resurrection of the dead, you're denying the very foundation of the Christian faith — that Jesus rose bodily from the grave.”

1. If There’s No Resurrection, the Gospel Is Emptied (vv. 12–14)

A. A Contradiction in Proclamation (v. 12)

Paul challenges their inconsistency: how can some deny resurrection yet claim Christ is raised?He was shocked at this reality. The Corinthians did not have any struggle with postmortem existence per Se, but rather the bodily nature of resurrection. Again, I get that. Especially given the pattern of what was known about the life of a Corinthian, a life of prostitution and promiscuity.

What Happens to the Body After Death? A Biblical Theology of the Resurrection Body

1. Immediate Separation of Soul and Body at Death

At death, there is a temporary separation of body and soul:

The body returns to the earth (physical decay)

“You are dust, and to dust you shall return.” – Genesis 3:19 “Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.” – Ecclesiastes 12:7

The soul of the believer is immediately in the presence of Christ

“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” – 2 Corinthians 5:8 “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.” – Luke 23:43

Key Point: The believer is consciously with Christ in a disembodied state, awaiting resurrection.

2. The Promise of a Future Bodily Resurrection

The Bible teaches that the final redemption includes the body:

Job (Old Testament hope):

“Yet in my flesh I shall see God” – Job 19:26

Jesus affirms bodily resurrection:

“An hour is coming when all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come out…” – John 5:28–29 “28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.”

Paul teaches it as essential to the gospel:

“If Christ is not risen, your faith is futile.” – 1 Corinthians 15:17 “We eagerly wait for... the redemption of our bodies.” – Romans 8:23 “23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.”

3. Timing: When Do We Receive Our Glorified Bodies?

A. Not Immediately at Death

At death, the believer’s soul goes to be with the Lord, but the body remains in the grave, awaiting resurrection.

B. At the Return of Christ (Second Coming)

The resurrection of the body occurs at Christ’s return:

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17

“The dead in Christ will rise first... and we who are alive will be caught up... to meet the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 15:51–53

“We shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye... the dead will be raised imperishable.”

This is often called the First Resurrection for believers.

4. The Nature of the Glorified Body

Our future bodies will be:

Physical – like Jesus' post-resurrection body Luke 24:39–43 “39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” 40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” 42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. 43 And He took it and ate in their presence.”

Imperishable and glorified

“Sown perishable, raised imperishable… sown in dishonor, raised in glory.” – 1 Corinthians 15:42–44 “42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.”

Patterned after Christ’s body

“We shall be like Him.” – 1 John 3:2 “2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” “[Jesus] will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body.” – Philippians 3:21 “21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”

5. Eternal State: Resurrection Body in the New Heaven and New Earth

After the resurrection, believers will dwell eternally with God in new, glorified bodies:

Revelation 21:1–4 describes the New Heaven and New Earth where death is no more.

Revelation 21:1–4 “1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.””

The resurrection body is designed to enjoy this eternal state in a redeemed, physical creation.

Summary Timeline of the Body After Death

Event What Happens

Death Body decays, soul goes to be with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8)

Intermediate State Conscious, disembodied fellowship with Christ

Return of Christ Bodily resurrection of believers (1 Thess. 4:16, 1 Cor. 15:52)

Glorified Body Imperishable, powerful, spiritual (but physical) body (1 Cor. 15:42–44)

Eternal State Believers live forever in new bodies in the New Heaven and New Earth (Rev. 21:1–4)

Denying bodily resurrection unravels the message they received and now believe.

Matthew 17:9 “9 Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.””

B. A Collapse in Content (v. 14)

If Christ isn’t risen, our preaching is empty — void of power and substance.

Faith becomes futile — it has no foundation or future hope.

Illustration: Like removing the foundation from a building — everything crumbles.

2. If There’s No Resurrection, the Witness Is False (vv. 15–16)

A. False Testimony of the Apostles (v. 15)

Paul says they would be “false witnesses of God” — not just mistaken, but blasphemous.

Apostolic preaching hinges on a risen Christ — to deny it is to defame God.

B. Futility of Faith Continued (v. 16)

1 Corinthians 15:16 “16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen.”

Futile-mataios empty, profitless, vanity.

He reaffirms: no resurrection of the dead = Christ has not been raised.

If Christ isn’t raised, Christianity becomes a false religion built on a lie.

What is the pillar of our faith vs. any other religion. We serve a risen Savior.

Application: This affirms the need for doctrinal clarity — the gospel rests on historical truth.

3. If There’s No Resurrection, Our Hope Is Dead (vv. 17–19)

A. Sin Remains Unforgiven (v. 17)

No resurrection = no victory over sin = we are still guilty before God.

The cross without the resurrection is an incomplete gospel.

B. Death Is the End (vv. 18–19)

1 Corinthians 15:18 “18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.”

Those who died in Christ have perished — there is no afterlife hope.

We become the most pitiable people — trusting in a powerless promise.

Illustration: Like buying a plane ticket for a trip that doesn’t exist — we’re deceived if there’s no resurrection.

Conclusion: The Resurrection Changes Everything

This passage is sobering but sets up the glorious truth of verse 20 — “But now Christ is risen from the dead!”

Because He lives, the gospel is true, our sins are forgiven, and our future is secure.

There are so many questions about our bodies when we receive our new glorified bodies.

The Bible does not specify what age we will appear to be in our glorified bodies. However, Scripture does give us some hints and principles that can guide our understanding.

1. We Will Be Like Christ

“We know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.” – 1 John 3:2 “[Christ] will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body…” – Philippians 3:21

Implication: Jesus rose from the dead with a recognizable, physical, perfected body. He still bore the scars for identification, yet He was not subject to aging, pain, or death. He appeared in His early 30s (His earthly age at death), so many theologians suggest our bodies may resemble the prime of life, perhaps similar to Christ’s.

2. Our Bodies Will Be Perfect, Incorruptible, and Eternal

“The perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.” – 1 Corinthians 15:53 “It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power… it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.” – 1 Corinthians 15:43–44

Implication: Whatever age our glorified bodies "appear" to be, they will:

Never age

Never decay

Never feel weakness

Be fully functional and whole

Thus, age may be irrelevant in eternity. We may appear ageless or be in a state that reflects complete vitality and maturity.

3. There Will Be Recognition, but Not Aging

“Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” – Matthew 13:43 At the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1–3), Moses and Elijah were recognizable Luke 16:19–31 — the rich man recognized Lazarus and Abraham after death

Implication: We retain identity and recognition in eternity. If age were relevant in eternity, we might expect babies or elderly saints to appear differently — but nothing suggests they will. Rather, we are likely known and recognized perfectly, beyond the limitations of age.

What Theologians Suggest

While not Scripture, many Bible teachers suggest the glorified body will reflect:

The fullness of maturity, not infancy or old age.

Likely a state resembling young adulthood (commonly suggested: 30–33, as Christ was).

Free from deformity, disease, or decline.

Augustine, Aquinas, and even modern theologians like Wayne Grudem affirm that our glorified state will reflect the best possible condition of our being — whole, radiant, and strong.

Summary:

Question Scripture-Based Response

Will we age in heaven? No — our glorified bodies are imperishable 1 Corinthians 15:53 “53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”

Will we be recognizable? Yes — as Jesus, Moses, Elijah, and others were Rich man & Lazarus (Matt. 17; Luke 16)

Will we be children, elderly, or in our prime? Scripture doesn’t say, but likely we’ll appear in a perfected form resembling youthful maturity (Phil. 3:21; 1 John 3:2)

Philippians 3:21 “21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”

1 John 3:2 “2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”