1 Corinthians 15:15

Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not (KJV)

Then: Corinthians now hear a third point(Baker, p. 219). If Christ did not rise from the dead, then all those five hundred plus witnesses, the disciples, the apostles and Paul himself are liars. Even worse, they are swearing to God that what they said was true. How could that many people say the same thing and none state otherwise? How could so many risk their fate with the God of heaven? It couldn't be. They didn't lie. Christ rose.

Now: No one really takes time to say that the resurrection didn't happen. Usually atheists just deny the existence of God. They never get to the point of considering resurrection. But those who believe concentrate on the resurrection, because that event is the "word of the cross" (Thiselton quotes a discussion by Harrisville, p. 1171).

Extra Source: Cornerstone Biblical Commentary 1 Corinthians (William Baker), 2 Corinthians (Ralph Martin & Carl Toney), ed. by Philip Comfort. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, c2006.
The First Epistle to the Corinthians: a commentary on the Greek text by Anthony C. Thiselton (Authentic Media, c2000) online at http://books.google.com/books?id=IHG_DNLpmroC&dq=1st+Corinthian+commentaries&printsec=frontcover&source=in&hl=en&ei=W9fQSpC1GILplAfHiumoCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=11&ved=0CB8Q6AEwCg#v=onepage&q=&f=false

1 Corinthians 15:11

Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed (KJV)

Then: This is the end of a review of what's known about appearances of the resurrected Christ. Paul summarizes that and adds it doesn't make any difference who is preaching. They all preach the resurrected Christ, and everyone hearing the letter now believes.

Now: Just like the Corinthians, we are warned Paul is moving on to a different point.

1 Corinthians 15:10

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me (KJV)

Then: The Corinthians could see that Paul didn't worry about his past. It happened, but he had God's forgiveness. Should the past keep him from following Christ and doing what is right? No way! If anything Paul works harder and suffers more for it than any of the others. He is so grateful to the Lord who rescued him. As individuals and as a church, the Corinthians can learn much from Paul.

Now: We need to be just as bold in accepting Christ's love as Paul was. Former attitudes and mistakes occur - but God's love stays true. He forgives us and expects continued service. We need to comply - without hesitation.

1 Corinthians 15:9

For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God (KJV)


Then: Paul admits to the Corinthians what they already know. He did persecute the church, and yet this church exists because of Paul's conversion. Still, some had managed to turn away from him to extol the greatness of Peter and Apollos. In the face of a guy telling you, you're right my past is not great, the Corinthians needed to check back in their own past and remember that without Christ no one is righteous.

Now: The human condition can always overwhelm anyone, anytime. Touching the Lord, being grateful, and always remembering, keeps us from being in and/or causing great harm. Paul is an example, even today.

1 Corinthians 15:8

And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time (KJV)

Then: Paul saw Christ after the ascension had occured. That's what he means by "out of due time." As far as the gospel record is concerned, everyone else saw him before the ascension. All the disciples and many of the other apostles had walked and talked with Jesus. Not him. But when Paul himself saw the risen Lord, that changed everything in his life. He was the last and he didn't feel worthy (Henry).

Now: We read of Paul's works and if we take the time, never expect to do the things Paul did. We depend on knowing our salvation through the Lord's presence in our lives, his power in directing and controlling it, and, at the point of need, the spiritual gifts he gives us. We take it as a fact that Paul was an apostle.

Extra Source: Commentary on the Whole Bible Acts to Revelation Vol VI by Matthew Henry online at http://www.ccel.org/ccel/henry/mhc6.iCor.xvi.html

1 Corinthians 15:7

After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles (KJV)

Then: It's difficult to tell if this is basically a chronological accounting or a comprehensive attempt. He already mentioned "the twelve," but the apostles include more than just those, i.e., Barnabus, Andronicus, Junia, James Matthias (Baker, p. 215). It is the only record of James seeing Christ singly. Baker also notes that this is the brother of the Lord because James, the disciple, would have been included with that group of people. Also, Jesus' brothers, all skeptical, would need a personal talk with him as risen.

Now: It is truly a mystery why some are able to hear (read) of Christ and believe while others need personal, historical experiences in order to know that Christ is the son of God, a risen Savior and one on whom we can depend. And once we believe, telling others who he is, adding our personal witness, and praying for others to know him is our joy. When the confirming power of the Holy Spirit moves into the lives of those we love dearly, joy spreads.

Extra Source: Cornerstone Biblical Commentary 1 Corinthians (William Baker), 2 Corinthians (Ralph Martin & Carl Toney), ed. by Philip Comfort. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, c2006.

1 Corinthians 15:6

After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep (KJV)

Then: Not only the apostles, but more than five hundred others saw Christ. Paul doesn't say, but I wonder if it happened on the day of ascension into heaven. The Corinthians probably already knew the event to which he referred. I wonder also if one or two had travelled to the Corinthian church. The Corinthians needed assurances about the future because "some are fallen asleep" before Christ has returned. That has to be a concern for those who expect to be with Christ in heaven.

Now: We are used to waiting for the Lord's return - so much so that we live our lives as if it's not going to happen for us either. We love the Lord, but we don't have that eager sense of anticipation which comes for children before Christmas or in the days before a wedding. Taking time to think about the resurrection can go a long way to restoring our longing for the Lord's early return.

1 Corinthians 15:5

And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve (KJV)

Then: The words are a reminder. The other apostles, major leaders of the church, witnessed the risen Lord. Two eyewitnesses were sufficient for a court of law (Magness class notes). These particular eyewitnesses had worked closely with Christ before his death. If anyone could recognize the Lord, they could.

Now: We hear Paul's words and trust his witness. No one would suffer and go through all Paul did, but for the truth. Paul talked with Peter (Cephas) who told him all. That would count as "hearsay," but for the fact of Paul's own encounter with Christ. He could compare his own knowledge with Peter's. We do the same thing. We compare our own contacts with Christ with Peter's and Paul's. They validate our knowledge and extend it

Barton and Osborne (p.221) compiled a complete listing of all appearances listed in the New Testament. You can compare that list to Paul's list to see what he is doing.

Extra Source: Bruce B. Barton (Wheaton IL: Tyndale House, c1999) online at http://books.google.com/books?id=H-f2mmq2uHEC&dq=Bruce+and+Corinthians&printsec=frontcover&source=in&hl=en&ei=91EFS8fUEMPblAey6YyhDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=11&ved=0CB4Q6AEwCg#v=onepage&q=&f=false