Tag: Christ

  • The Heavens are Telling the Glory of God

    The Heavens are Telling the Glory of God

    The Glory of Godwritten in the Creation on the Heavens and on the earth.

    earth rotating - visible glory of God! of the heavens and the sun rising with stars in the distant darkness
    For the Glory of God sunset glow over earth

    What is the chief end of man?

    A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.

    1 Cor. 10:31; Rom. 11:36; Ps. 73:25-28.

    In our previous PSALM we focused on how a man or woman might best start our day.

    Day break scene flock of geese over lake by field of grain - Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

    And our focus turned from SELF toward the LORD — to rejoice — to experience God’s gladness in His creation and in us.

    You might say, by extension, a daily disposition toward JOY becomes our worship in serving the LORD.

    Perhaps you know Beethoven's ODE TO JOY from the finale of the composer's Nineth Symphony. 

    Did you know that text of Ode to Joy is taken from Psalms 104 and 145:10?

    Today’s theme: the GLORY of God

    Perhaps you know our PSALM from a scripturally-focused hymnal (of old).

    The CREATION

    Psalm 19

    The heavens, O God, Thy glory tell
    Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
    Published in 14 hymnals

    The Heavens are telling – Beethoven


    Many of you will know another glorious large composition of praise from an oratorio of Haydn near the end of the 18th century

    The Heavens are Telling the Glory of God,
    (from “The Creation”)

    — The Heavens Are Telling.

    Hayden: Chorus:

    The heavens are telling the glory of God,
    The wonders of his work displays the firmament;

    Today that is coming speaks it the day,
    The night that is gone to following night.

    In every land [In all the land] resounds the word,
    never unperceived, ever understood.

    Music by Josef Haydn
    Lyrics translated by Robert Shaw, based on Psalm 19.


    What is the GLORY of God?

    “You said, ‘Behold, the LORD our God has shown us His glory and His greatness,

    and we have heard His voice from the midst of the fire;

    we have seen today that God speaks with man, yet he lives.

    Deuteronomy 5:25 NASB

    By contrast we might ask, ‘What is the glory of man?’

    By the weight of your wrath against man’s sin, the glory of his form is wasted away; truly every man is but a breath. (Selah.)

    Psalm 39:11 BBE


    The glory of the heavens?

    The LORD is high above all nations,

    and his glory above the heavens.

    Psalm 113:4

    OR of the firmament?

    OR

    What is the glory of the earth, you might ask?

    But in fact, you cannot find any glory in 'the earth' separate from the glory of the LORD its Creator. 

    • Psalms sing of GLORY in one form or another over 400 times!

    – kāḇôḏ כָּבוֹד

    Who is this King of glory?

    The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.

    Selah.

    Psalm 24:10

    (You likely know some contemporary Christian songs expressing these words.)

    Just what does it mean to GLORIFY God?

    You who fear Yahweh, praise Him;

    All you seed of Jacob, glorify Him,

    And stand in awe of Him, all you seed of Israel.

    Psalm 22:23 LSB

    “The beasts of the field will glorify Me,

    The jackals and the ostriches,

    Because I have given waters in the wilderness

    And rivers in the wasteland,

    To give drink to My chosen people.

    Isaiah 43:20

    Psalm 19:

    Let’s take a closer look at this Psalm of David.

    The heavens are sounding the glory of God;

    the arch of the sky makes clear the work of his hands.

    Day after day it sends out its word,

    and night after night it gives knowledge.

    Psalm 19:1-2 BBE (Bible in Basic English)

    Do you see God’s glory?

    Look up! o man of dust! you creature beneath the night sky — with eyes to see above,

    but not so near to the Lord’s glory.

    You cannot deny His glory— ALMIGHTY Hands that formed —  HIS fire which will refine your flesh into burned away dross scorched in the daytime sun.


    There are no words or language;

    their voice makes no sound.

    Their line has gone out through all the earth,

    and their words to the end of the world.

    Arise, shine, for your light has come

    Who is like a newly married man coming from his bride-tent,

    and is glad like a strong runner starting on his way.

    sunrise over earth from space

    Psalm 19:3-6 BBE


    David — the king and Psalmist — proclaims a GLORY of the LORD words cannot convey with pictures that only hint of God’s evident greatness.

    Now David proceeds to

    the benefits of GOD’s law:

    The law of the LORD is perfect,

    We do NOT like the LAW — we resist it— we rebel against it — for the laws and precepts of every mortal man are imperfect. 

    AND, by contrast,

    the Law of the Lord— like Almighty GOD — is perfect and good and breathes life into fallen flesh and our impure soul.

    The law of the LORD is perfect,

    reviving the soul;

    the testimony of the LORD is sure,

    making wise the simple;

    the precepts of the LORD are right,

    rejoicing the heart;

    the commandment of the LORD is pure,

    enlightening the eyes;

    the fear of the LORD is clean,

    enduring for ever;

    the ordinances of the LORD are true,

    and righteous altogether.

    Psalm 19:7-9 RSV


    FEAR in the Face of HIS GLORY

    the fear of the LORD is clean,

    enduring for ever;

    the ordinances of the LORD are true,

    and righteous altogether.

    Psalm 19:9 RSV

    fear (of Yᵊhōvâ) -yir’â -יִרְאָה
    • fear, terror
    • awesome or terrifying thing (object causing fear)
    • fear (of God), respect, reverence, piety
    • revered

    Psalm 2 connects this fear of the LORD not only with trembling, but with rejoicing or reiterating our joy.

    Serve the LORD with reverential awe

    and rejoice with trembling.

    Psalm 2:11 CSB

    David's Psalm becomes practically proverbial in teaching why WE must not only FEAR the LORD, 
    but also OBEY his LAW
    and instructions (or ordinances).

    They [God’s ordinances] are more desirable than gold —

    than an abundance of pure gold;

    and sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb.

    In addition, your servant is warned by them,

    and in keeping them there is an abundant reward.

    Psalm 19:10-11 CSB

    Note that the king (David) humbly proclaims himself — though sovereign over men — as a SERVANT of the LORD. 

    MORE fatherly advice:

    But who can discern their own errors?

    Forgive [lit. ‘acquit me – a legal determination] my hidden faults.

    Keep your servant also from willful sins;

    may they not rule over me.

    Then I will be blameless,

    innocent [lit. acquitted] of great transgression.

    Psalm 19:12-13 NIV


    Redeemed for our transgressions

    How can a mere man stand before the glory of the Lord our God?

    David intercedes in his Psalm on behalf of his loyal subjects. (For his mercy endures forever. – Psalm 136)

    transgression (84x), trespass (5x), sin (3x), rebellion (1x). – pešaʿ -פֶּשַׁע

    AND you have heard it before — from the later prophesy of Isaiah long after the fall of King David’s chosen nation.

    But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
    He was crushed for our iniquities;
    The chastening for our peace fell upon Him,
    And by His wounds we are healed.

    Isaiah 53:5 LSB – of the suffering servant

    Even Christ JESUS — Son of David; Son of Man — the very Son of the Father — born in the flesh and crucified for the redemption of those chosen to eternal life — will return in his GLORY!!!

    David’s familiar benediction:
    a plea of my own heart frequently heard from the pulpit by the flock of Christ as an invitation to receive Scripture into your own heart: 

    Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable in your sight,
    O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

    Psalm 19:14 ESV



    Secure Links to sources
    The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Psalm 19:1 view of earth and sunrise from space

  • First Corinthians Synopsis- Do everything in love

    First Corinthians Synopsis- Do everything in love

    Love — exceeds wisdom, but does not exclude it.

    Would you say that this pretty much sums up Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church?

    You desire wisdom (and some of you have it), but seek the love of God available to us through our Lord Christ Jesus.


    1 Corinthians 16:

    I recommend that you read 1 Cor 16 here [in the link above], since I will not detail much of this closing chapter (into which of course Paul's letters were not divided) in this brief synopsis. 

    Paul closes his epistle to the Corinthian saints first by asking for their charity to help the struggling and persecuted church in Jerusalem. (Their regimen should be like what the Apostle set in place for the Galatian churches.

    Part of the collection of gifts and delivery of other epistles (letters) always depends upon who may be available at the time.

    Paul is not in person, which is why he writes, and neither is Apollos.

    The Apostle closes his letter with several detailed instructions, explanations of where and why they travel with the Gospel, and specific mention of several individuals (to whom we will get after looking back at Paul’s entire epistle to the Corinthians).

    Basically, this is his personal closing like any of us would end a personal letter to loved ones.


    Corrective Behavior – Guided by Love

    Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love ​[agapē] — ​but the greatest of these is love.

    1 Corinthians 13:13 Christian Standard Bible
    We addressed this central theme of agape love in 1 Corinthians 13. 

    John MacArthur introduces Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians:

    Although the major thrust of this epistle is corrective of behavior rather than of doctrine, Paul gives seminal teaching on many doctrines that directly relate to the matters of sin and righteousness.

    In one way or another, wrong living always stems from wrong belief.

    John MacArthur :: Bible Introductions – 1 Corinthians

    Another introduction to Paul’s first epistle put’s it this way:

    Summary: 1 Corinthians addresses issues within the Corinthian church, emphasizing unity, moral integrity, and spiritual gifts.

    Paul advises on matters like divisions, immorality, and worship practices, highlighting love as the greatest virtue.

    He confirms the resurrection of Christ and its implications for believers.

    1 Corinthians Overview – Theme: Christian Living

    We might note Paul's caution in the verses preceding our opening verse here. 

    Many of you know this and understand that it has little to do with age and more to application of Christ's love in your mortal life.

    When I was a child,

    I spoke like a child,

    I thought like a child,

    I reasoned like a child.

    When I became a man, I put aside childish things.

    1 Corinthians 13:11 CSB

    The Apostle’s entire letter to worshipping saints of the church in Corinth sought to correct childish morals with the firm and gentle love of God.


    megas agapē – the Greatest Love

    In addition to Paul, advice on LOVE also proceeds from the words of Jesus.

    “Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold.

    Gospel of Matthew 24:12 CSB

    Christ is prophesying signs of the end of the age.

    Let the Common Era reader understand.

    Like the Apostles Paul, John and others, Jesus also addresses His followers (any disciples) as “little children.”

    “Little children, I am with you a little while longer…

    .. you are also to love one another.

    By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

    Gospel of John 13:33a,34c-35 CSB

    Paul’s great dilemma in ‘fathering’ the Corinthians was to correct some of these disobedient children in the faith with the love Christ commands for each of us who claim Jesus as Lord.

    The Wisdom of Mature Love in Christ

    What do you want? Should I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

    1 Corinthians 4:21 CSB

    Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “we all have knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up...

    But if anyone loves God, he is known by him.

    1 Corinthians 8:1,3 CSB

    Speaking of human wisdom, Paul compares it by saying that ‘knowledge makes arrogant’ [KJV] gnōsis physioō;

    while agapē Love edifies [KJV].

    Grow-up from the wisdom of an arrogant child, beloved believer, into the love and faith in Christ Jesus who loved us so much as to have died for us. 

    And we all know and many can quote some translation of Paul’s famous ‘love chapter’ 13 highlighted above.

    If I speak human or angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal…

    13-1 CSB

    How many clanging christians in our Common Evangelicalism claim Jesus without love? 

    Love – ἀγάπη -agapē

    suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up…

    13:4 NKJV

    Synopsis of 1 Corinthians

    The opening and closing of Paul’s epistle both appeal to the individual love [agapē] of the Corinthians the Apostle knew and loved so well.

    He contrasted the morals and behaviors of those who challenged their faith in Christ Jesus to the childish ways of the wisdom of the world worshipping SELF — even with the crowds in Corinth’s temples of worship of myths and wisdom of the logic of mythological man-created gods and goddesses.


    Wisdom of the Cross *a few points

    * from ROAD MAPS for the PAULINE EPISTLES - Kress Biblical Resources
    • The church must deal with unrepentant sin. (5)
    • The church must deal with disputes among its members. (6)
    • Stay focuses on serving Christ whether married or single. (7)
    • The right practice and purpose of the Lord’s Supper (11)
    • Spiritual gifts should unify and build up the church (12)
    • Spiritual gifts should prioritize the proclamation of the truth to others in an orderly manner — not pacification of self. (14)
    • The RESURRECTION is certain
    • The RESURRECTION is supernatural
    • The RESURRECTION is our sure hope and motivation

    HOW IS YOUR CHURCH DOING WITH THESE?

    Paul loved the Corinthian saints as Christ has loved us.

    The Apostle closes his epistle with these important points:

    • Plans and communication are important for and effective gospel ministry.
    • Personal relationships and communication are important for and effective gospel ministry.
    In closing, let's look at what the Apostle writes to the leaders and saints of Corinth — and to the pastors and Sunday sheep of our Common Era christian flocks. 

    After all, when you write to someone you love, don't you want to leave them with a final thought about you and what you write to them?

    Final Exhortation

    16:13

    γρηγορέω – Be alert

    “Therefore be alert, because you don’t know either the day or the hour.[in which the Son of Man is coming.]

    Gospel of Matthew 25:13

    Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, [NASB]

    στήκω – stand firm in πίστις – the faith

    Then he said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith? ”

    And they were terrified[filled with awe] and asked one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him! ”

    Gospel of Mark 4:40-41 CSB

    ἀνδρίζομαι – act like a man [be courageous]

    andrizomai – Middle voice from ἀνήρ (G435) – man, husband, sir, fellow (not a boy or woman)

    κραταιόω – be strong.

    The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was on him.

    Gospel of Luke 2:40 CSB

    6:14

    Let all that you do be done in love.

    1 CORINTHIANS 16:14 ESV – Paul’s closing appeal to the CHURCH

    Paul’s talking AGAPE here.

    Other translations read:

    • Let all your things be done with charity. – KJV
    • And do everything with love. – NLT
    • All that you do must be done in love. – NASB20

    One FINAL WARNING

    Whoever does not love our Lord Yeshua The Messiah,

    let him be damned. our Lord has come.

    1 Corinthians 16:22 – Aramaic Bible in Plain English

    Quite a CONVICTING affirmation!

    Other translations use simply Lord, or ‘the Lord Jesus Christ’ but the Person of their intent is the same Lord and God NONE dare oppose!

    1 Corinthians 16:22 Translations

    • let him be Anathema
      • accursed
    • that person is cursed
    • let that person be cursed!
      • tis & eimi (here) are not specific to males
    • a curse be on him.
    • Let anyone who has no love for the Lord be accursed.
    Don't get to hung up on the specific words — or English parts of speech. 

    The seriousness of the Apostle’s line-in-the-sand for Christians cannot be missed.

    The term “curse” translates from the Greek “anathema,” meaning something devoted to destruction.

    In the Jewish context, it referred to things set apart for God, often through destruction, as seen in Joshua 6:17 with the fall of Jericho.

    Paul uses strong language to stress the seriousness of rejecting Christ,

    aligning with Galatians 1:8-9, where he condemns any gospel contrary to the one he preached. This reflects the early church’s struggle against false teachings and the necessity of maintaining doctrinal purity.

    Biblehub.com Study Bible – 1 Corinthians 16:22

    a FINAL word

    Unfamiliar to MOST Common Era christians, Paul uses the words: μαράνα θάmarana tha – [English: “Maranatha“]

    Most English translations substitute its meaning — an invitation worthy of our most serious consideration.

    Of Aramaic origin (meaning our Lord has come).

    The Apostle concludes his epistle to the Corinthian church:

    The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

    My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

    And thus do I conclude our study of Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians, joining the Apostle in His love for all of you. 

    Talk of JESUS . com

    Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel


  • Our Imperishable Resurrection Body Raised in Glory and Power

    Our Imperishable Resurrection Body Raised in Glory and Power

    1 Corinthians 15: CSB

    Paul , in a first letter to the Corinthians, addresses the logic (Promethean though it be to some skeptics of the Gospel), and presents a body of evidence about the resurrection body.

    Resurrection is Certain

    The Apostle begins with Christ’s resurrection. Then Paul argues (logically to these wisdom-seeking Achaeans) to the nature of death and resurrection of the dead in general. The Apostle’s closing arguments of this logic-based epistle calls the question of the nature of our resurrection body.


    OUTLINE
    • The Fact of Christ’s Resurrection
      • 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
    • Resurrection Essential to the Gospel (CSB)
    • The Risen Christ, Faith’s Reality (NKJV)
    • The Resurrection of the Dead
      • 1 Corinthians 15:12-34 KJV
    Our Look at the Resurrection Body on TalkofJESUS.com will also separate these topics more fully. 
    • Resurrection Essential to the Faith (CSB)
      • 1 Corinthians 15:12-19
      • Christ’s Resurrection Guarantees Ours
      • 1 Corinthians 15:20-28
    • The Risen Christ, Our Hope (NKJV)
      • 1 Corinthians 15:12-19
      • The Last Enemy Destroyed
      • 1 Corinthians 15:20-28

    ..that God may be all in all.

    A LOGICAL ARGUMENT — a COURT CASE — a testimony, a closing argument. Call the Apostle’s defense of the Gospel GOOD NEWS of the resurrection of the body what you will.

    Paul concludes his letter with an authoritative approach to separating the heretical hopes of life and death (as our end) from the foundational NEW Testament of the glory of the resurrection and ascension of Christ Jesus as the first-fruits of our GOOD NEWS!

    The last enemy to be abolished is death.

    1 Corinthians 15:26 CSB


    IF the Resurrection Body Perishes

    Remember, Paul writes to defend Christ, who he has seen! 

    And now the Apostle takes the stand opposing the prosecutorial case of the Promethean philosophers accusing the saints of Corinth of worshiping a 'dead Jesus.'

    Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead?

    If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?

    1 Corinthians 15:29 ESV

    Great question, right?

    Rhetorical, certainly; but Paul may have been responding to an actual case and question presented to him by the leadership of the Corinthian church.


    WHY REPENT, for Christ’s sake— if our Savior is now dead?

    (Baptism, of course, is a public witness that you have permanently changed your lifestyle – fruit of your beliefs —  having given up your former sins in order to follow the living Lord, Christ Jesus of the Cross.)

    Paul then testifies(as I included previously) that he had been willing to die in Ephesus (which, of course, most the the Corinthians would have already heard the Apostle proclaim in person).

    His prosecution of those who doubt the resurrection is direct:

    Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”

    1 Corinthians 15:33 CSB


    ARE SOME in Corinth deceiving the saints who have heard and proclaimed Paul’s Gospel?

    No doubt.

    And the Apostle gently reminds the faithful of how they remain ignorant concerning the gospel, after which he will answer some questions of their ignorance.

    Come to your senses [lit. sober up] and stop sinning; for some people are ignorant about God.

    I say this to your shame.

    1 Corinthians 15:34

    The Nature of the Resurrection Body

    The example of Christ

    • Christ died.
    • After three days Christ rises from the grave.
    • He appears for forty days to many, (as Paul has already witnessed) with a resurrection body
      • DIFFERENT from His incarnate body;
      • DIFFERENT than simply a spirit;
      • and actually different in appearance to several witnesses — JESUS had a resurrection body
      • and THEN ASCENDS into the clouds of HEAVEN!

    Will OUR resurrection body be like HIS?

    Paul assures those in Corinth who receive such questions

    (as if WE must explain HOW God does such things).

    But someone will ask,

    “How are the dead raised?

    What kind of body will they have when they come? ”

    1 Corinthians 15:35 CSB

    'Would you rather be dead?' I might quickly reply to the Promethean prosecutor with the cunning to take CHRIST out of my personal witness.

    Paul responds:

    You fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.

    And as for what you sow ​— ​you are not sowing the body that will be, but only a seed, perhaps of wheat or another grain. But God gives it a body as he wants, and to each of the seeds its own body.

    1 Corinthians 15:37-38 CSB

    A Perishable Body and our Resurrection Body

    For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans,

    another for animals,

    another for birds,

    and another for fish.

    There are heavenly bodies

    and earthly bodies,

    but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind,

    and the glory of the earthly is of another.

    1 Corinthians 15:(39),40 ESV

    Paul points to the sun and moon and stars all being different in nature, as well as distinct from each other.

    What is sown is perishable

    THEN the Apostle compares DEATH to the seed planted —

    • It is sown in dishonor;
    • It is sown in weakness;
    • It is sown a natural body;

    ζῳοποιέω – zōopoieō

    • it is raised in glory.
    • it is raised in power.
    • it is raised a spiritual body.
    Then Paul proceeds logically from mortal death to the spiritual body, with a comparison of ADAM (the first man) to CHRIST (the first fruits from death).
    • If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

    So it is written,
    The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

    1 Corinthians 15:45 CSB

    The Apostle refers to JESUS as ‘the last adam,’ in Greek: eschatos — a superlative for the last or extreme [adam] — Ἀδάμ.

    THEN the Spirit adds through Paul:

    πνεῦμα ζῳοποιοῦν –

    [became] a life-giving spirit.

    CHRIST [the quintessential adam in the image of GOD —  born, buried and risen in a resurrection body —  ζῳοποιέω – zōopoieō [quicken (9x), give life (2x), make alive (1x)] pneuma [spirit].

    Christ + the LIFE-GIVING SPIRIT

    Paul THEN compares the adam from the dust of the earth to the second adam from heaven — HE IS the very perfect incarnate IMAGE of God the Father — Creator and Authority over all creation and creatures.

    And as we have borne the image of the earthy, let us also bear the image of the heavenly.

    1 Corinthians 15:49

    the soul of man is immortal and imperishable - Plato background stars and earth For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. Paul to Greek Corinthians

    ἰδού – Behold..

    ἰδού, a demonstrative particle (in Greek writings from Sophocles down) 

    Beloved saint of Christ, you have heard this before — hundreds of times in the preaching of the Gospel. And the apostle to the gentiles uses it here — ‘idou‘ or in English, behold.

    Behold, G2400 a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

    Gospel of Matthew 1:23 KJV

    And, behold, G2400 one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

    Gospel of Matthew 19:16 KJV

    And, behold, G2400 there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

    Gospel of Matthew 28:2 KJV

    And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, G2400 Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

    Gospel of Matthew 28:9 –

    And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

    manger of a timeless Christ "I will be with you always even to the end of the earth
    (‘lo’ and ‘behold’ are the same Greek word drawing forth our attention)
    (Beloved saint, you know the rest — and Paul reminds of our hope in the Gospel and of our commission by Christ.)

    mystērion

    Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor can corruption inherit incorruption. Listen, I am telling you a mystery:

    We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.

    1 Corinthians 15:50b-52a


    Don’t we want that? CHANGED immediately? SLEEPERS AWAKE!


    For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.

    For this corruptible body must be clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body must be clothed with immortality.

    When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place:

    Paul quotes the Prophet Isaiah 

    He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.

    Isaiah 25:8 KJV

    O death, where is thy sting?
    O grave, where is thy victory?

    1 Corinthians 15:55 KJV

    a Closing Call for Repentance

    Surely Paul's letter will be received by all the saints of Corinth with thanksgiving and a renewed faith in the resurrection body because of Christ. 

    The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

    But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

    1 Corinthians 15:56-57 KJV

    And the Apostle's plea to all saints in every time and each temporal place: 

    So then, dear brothers and sisters,

    be firm.

    Do not be moved!

    Always be outstanding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

    1 Corinthians 15:58 New English Translation


    P.S.

    As is his custom, Paul will close his epistle with some personal greetings and instructions [Chapter 16]

    Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel

    God-willing, perhaps you and I should add our own personal applications of the Apostle’s great instructions to the church concerning issues of the resurrection body, death, resurrection, ascension and time of the last judgment and eternal life.

    Talk of JESUS . com