THE RESURRECTION SHAPES OUR LIVES

Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:29-34

Key verse: 34

NIV

29 Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? 30 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour?(A) 31 I face death every day(B)—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts(C) in Ephesus(D) with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised,

“Let us eat and drink,
    for tomorrow we die.”[a](E)

33 Do not be misled:(F) “Bad company corrupts good character.”[b](G) 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God(H)—I say this to your shame.(I)

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Corinthians 15:32 Isaiah 22:13
  2. 1 Corinthians 15:33 From the Greek poet Menander
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

29 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? 30 Why are we (A)in danger every hour? 31 I protest, brothers, by (B)my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, (C)I die every day! 32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, (D)I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, (E)“Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33 (F)Do not be deceived: (G)“Bad company ruins good morals.”[a] 34 (H)Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For (I)some have no knowledge of God. (J)I say this to your shame.

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Corinthians 15:33 Probably from Menander's comedy Thais
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. More reasons to believe (29-32) Paul gives several more reasons why the Corinthians should accept the resurrection of the dead. Apparently, there was a tradition where people were baptized for the sake of those who had passed away or because of the good influence the deceased had had on them. Either way, without the resurrection of the dead, it was pointless because no one would ever benefit from it. Furthermore, if the resurrection weren't true, then all the dangers Paul faced would have been for nothing. Without the resurrection, there is little motivation for living a moral life and the only rational thing to do is to find as much pleasure and enjoyment as possible. 2. A moral life (33-34) Those who lived immorally because they rejected the resurrection of the dead were a bad influence on the members of the church. Paul warns the Corinthians about being misled by such people. To reject the resurrection is to reject the promises of Christ and to be ignorant of God. Paul cries for them to wake up, come back to their senses, and stop sinning. The good news of the resurrection leads us to live a life that is pleasing to Christ in full anticipation of the day when we will be with him forever.

Prayer: Father, help us to live our lives with the hope of resurrection firmly planted in our hearts.

One Word: Come back to your senses!