The Outcome of the Resurrection
Geoffrey Wilson (1929–2021), was a British pastor and author. He wrote Banner of Truth’s popular and helpful New Testament Commentary series.
Last week, we shared Wilson’s comments on Paul’s statements regarding the resurrection of Jesus in 1 Corinthians 15:1–5.
Paul goes on in 1 Corinthians 15 to describe what Christ’s resurrection means for our lives and deaths. May Wilson’s comments on the outworking of these truths encourage your heart to carry the reality of the resurrection in your day-to-day life as we leave the Easter season.
O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:55–58
What has been gained for us by Christ is daily being given to us by God.
This objective atonement produces subjective results in the lives of believers. What has been gained for us by Christ is daily being given to us by God. Paul’s use of the present tense…expresses the assurance that even now we have the forgiveness of sins. “If the sting of death is sin, victory over death must be forgiveness of the sin… The apostle’s purpose is to encourage timid Christians in the conflict against sin with the certain hope of victory in Christ” (Edwards).
the certainty of the resurrection must encourage diligence in present duty.
Verse 58
Wherefore: Paul here concludes his great doctrinal argument on a very practical note: it is that the certainty of the resurrection must encourage diligence in present duty. The apostle’s method of instruction us that as no exhortation is in place without doctrine, so no exposition of doctrine is complete without exhortation.
My beloved brethren: Despite his severe reproofs, Paul assures the Corinthians that his affection for them remains undiminished.
Be ye steadfast, immovable: They are to resist the seductive power of unbelief which would overthrow their faith in the doctrine of the resurrection.
It is because their work is in the Lord that it is not an empty expenditure of energy.
Always abounding in the work of the Lord: “There is perhaps an implied correction of their disproportionate activity in speculation. ‘The work of the Lord’ is preparation for the end, in mutual service and the spread of the gospel: and the end has been made sure by the resurrection of the Lord” (St. John Parry).
Forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord: It is because their work is in the Lord that it is not an empty expenditure of energy: “This is not an activity of external demonstration, wrought in vacuity, as earthly labor often is, but serious toil wrought in the sphere of eternal reality. This is why Paul uses the present is, and not the future will be” (Godet).