This I declare, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in an instant, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For that which is corruptible must clothe itself with incorruptibility, and that which is mortal must clothe itself with immortality. 54 And when this which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility and this which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about: “Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.'
The living, the corruptible, cannot inherit the kingdom of God, the incorruptible. Paul reveals a hidden truth that all who are alive now will not die but all will be changed (v. 51). At the Parousia God, through Jesus, will raise those who have died in Christ to a new imperishable life. (1 Thess. 4:14-18). Paul expected the second coming of Christ to be imminent and the living also would be transformed in the blink of an eye to a new immortal life (v. 52). Both the living and the dead will receive a new immortal life from God through Christ; “He will destroy death forever (Is. 25:8);” “O death! where is your sting (Hos. 13:14)?” Death entered the world as a punishment for sin and sin would not be known as sin if the Law had not identified it as such (v. 56). The Corinthians are to continue preaching the Gospel knowing that their future life in heaven with Christ is secure (v. 58).
Almighty
ever-living God, grant us your compassion during these trying times and save us
from the errors of ignorance and unbelief.
Reveal your truth to us and help us to hold more tightly to the teaching
of your Son. This we pray through Christ
our Lord. Amen!
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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