Saint Paul's Argument: Convincing or Confusing?
"But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first of those who have died."
1st Corinthians 15:20a.
I identify the passage stated above as Saint Paul's main point. The reality of the Resurrection is the fact that Jesus rose from the dead, and because this happened (which is the deepest part of our faith), we, as Faithful Christians, benefit. For the Apostle Paul, it is the first fruit that nourishes us as we move toward and grow within the kingdom of Heaven.
Rationale
"If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ-whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised then Christ is not raised. If Christ is not raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are all of people most to be pitied"
1st Corinthians 15:13-19.
Saint Paul does not mince words here. If Christ was not raised from the dead, then our faith is in vain and we defile God through the person of Jesus. I believe his rationale is negative, but effective. He lays it on the line. By using this logic, there can not be a partial Christian. If we completely believe in Christ then we are saved through His Resurrection. However, if we accept, even partially, what the nay sayers say, then we are lost.
Example
"Otherwise, what will those people do who receive baptism on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf."
1 st Corinthians 15:29.
This common practice of today is a good example of the importance of the after-life to the early Christian. Saint Paul is telling us that one is a hypocrite in their beliefs if they go to the extreme length of proxy baptism for the dead and not accept the resurrection of Christ.
Analogy
"If with merely human hopes I fought with wild animals at Ephesus, what would I have gained from it."
1st Corinthians 15:32.
Saint Paul takes a vignette from his life to make the point that our faith (hopes) is derived from our relationship with God through Jesus. Our salvation is not based on human hope, but divine inspiration. To Paul, it is here where we gain salvation or a new life. Faith in the fact of Christ's resurrection is the key to the new life.
Contrast
"If the dead are not raised, ' Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die'."
1st Corinthians 15:32b.
Saint Paul knew that the Corinthian people had experiences in the art of debauchery. After all, Corinth was a party town. So the kid gloves are off with the Church at Corinth. It was here where he had to make the sharpest point and the Apostle almost exhorts them in the most sarcastic way to party until they die. Since it didn't matter anyway if the dead aren't raised.
Paul masterfully is bringing to the forefront the matter of their faith. For him, belief and adherence meant a new life both today and tomorrow. Having no faith may give you momentary pleasure, but when you die tomorrow, death will bring you nothing.
Citation
"Do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals."
1st Corinthians 15:33.
Spoken like a Rabbi. This Proverb again lays it on the line for the Corinthians. Bad company (non-believers) will destroy their Christian lifestyle and this same bad company may also deceive them in not accepting the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, thus destroying their Faith.
Conclusion
"Come to a sober and right mind, and sin no more; for some people have no knowledge of God. I say this is to your shame."
1st Corinthians 15:34.
Saint Paul never seems to let up on the Church in Corinth. However, this is a testament to his faith and leadership. He knew that the future of the Church meant requiring a strong but firm hand on the fledgling Faith Community.
Corinth was not a sleepy outpost, but a thriving city that was both cosmopolitan and open to all kinds in influences. The Apostle was simply telling the Church to act sensibly when confronted by these non-Christian influences. Do not do what is counter to faith in Christ. On top of this, he tells the Corinthians that this is actually an opportunity because, to their shame, these can be new Christians.
I am convinced with Saint Paul's argument. His rhetoric is aggressive and I believe very convincing for the first century. He plays on their hopes and fears to make the point that the Resurrection of Christ is their opportunity to an after-life. I believe a 21st century Paul would be heard using the same tactic with modern example an analogies.
End.
Part of the originally entitled: Journal Three - Pauline Christianity
From a Section called "Identify The Component Parts of 1 Corinthians 15 - What Do You Think Of Pauls's Argument? Is it Convincing Or Confusing?"
submitted to the Rev. Dr. William Cantelon as a Master of Theological Studies course requirement for 505E - Introduction to Christian Scriptures St. Stephen's Theological College University of Alberta Published on February 24th, 1999 {Revised September 20th, 2024}
© Dr. Charles Warner 2024
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