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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

The apostolic gospel. "Moreover, brethren," etc. On all hands we hear persons talk about the simple gospel. And it appears to us that, in the majority of cases, the expression means nothing more than a few crude notions which the speaker has received, or possibly formed, about the gospel. Some men's "simple gospel" is an offence to reason, a dishonour to God, and, curse to Christianity. The passage under review presents to us Paul's "simple gospel." And let us look at Christianity as here... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 15:1-58

The doctrine of the resurrection. This chapter, and the thirteenth, on Christian love, stand out, even among the writings of St. Paul, as pre-eminently beautiful and important. No human words ever written have brought such comfort to millions of mourners as the words of this chapter, which form a part of the Burial Service of almost every Christian community. It is the more deeply imprinted on the memory of men because it comes to us in the most solemn hours of bereavement, when we have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 15:1-58

The exposition and defence of the resurrection. This chapter stands, as it were, by itself in the Epistle, and indeed in the Scripture. The Gospels relate the fact of our Saviour's rising from the dead; but St. Paul in this passage, remarkable alike for closeness of reasoning, for fervent of eloquence, and for elevation of spiritual treatment, writes as the theologian of the resurrection. In opposition to false teachers who had arisen in the Corinthian Church, the apostle maintains the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 15:5-11

Apostolic testimony to Christ's resurrection, and testimony of others. A prominent feature of Christ's plan was to train the apostles to be his witnesses. Conceive what this involved: on their part, a discipline of the senses as inlets of the mind, close and patient attention, constant revisals of impressions, contentedness under mystery, boldness of statement, heroism in adhering to testimony. Along with these qualities, an experience of the truth in Christ as a transforming power was to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 15:8

He was seen of me also. The reference undoubtedly is to the vision on the road to Damascus ( Acts 9:5 ; Acts 22:14 ; Acts 26:16 ). As of one born out of due time; literally, as to the abortive born. The word means "the untimely fruit of a woman," a child born out of the due time or natural course; and hence "diminutive" and "weakly." The Greek ektroma is represented by the Latin abortivus. St. Paul, when he remembered the lateness of his conversion, and his past persecution of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 15:9

For . This and the next verse are an explanation of the strong and strange term which he had applied to himself. The least of the apostles. In St. Paul there was a true and most deep humility, but no mock modesty. He knew the special gifts which he had received from God. He was well aware that to him had been entrusted the ten talents rather than the one talent. He could appeal to far vaster results than had been achieved by the work of any other apostle. He knew his own importance as "a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 15:9-10

Humility and self assertion. No writer is more given to paradox than the Apostle Paul. An eager, impulsive nature is wont to realize vividly every side of truth that is presented, and seems consequently to fall into inconsistencies. But such a nature is usually remarkably sincere and trustworthy. Such was the case with the apostle, and no candid reader can doubt that the language of the text represents the real facts of the case. I. AN ASSERTION OF PERSONAL HUMILITY . 1. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 15:9-10

Traits of Christian greatness. I. HONESTY . How faithfully Paul speaks of himself! How candidly he acknowledges the circumstances connected with his apostleship! Yet he had the greatest reason to magnify his authority to the Corinthians. They were ready, many of them, to twist anything to his disadvantage. But ha is not moved by this. To him the end does not justify the means; he must have "means" perfectly unquestionable. His candour and truthfulness are striking. He is a man of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 15:8

And last of all - After all the other times in which he appeared to people; after he had ascended to heaven. This passage proves that the apostle Paul saw the same Lord Jesus, the same “body” which had been seen by the others, or else his assertion would be no proof that he was risen from the dead. It was not a fancy, therefore, that he had seen him; it was not the work of imagination; it was not even a “revelation” that he had risen; it was a real vision of the ascended Redeemer.He was seen of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 15:9

For - A reason for the appellation which he had given to himself in 1 Corinthians 15:8.I am the least of the apostles - Not on account of any defect in his commission, or any lack of qualification to bear witness in what he saw, but on account of the great crime of his life, the fact that he had been a persecutor. Paul could never forget that; as a man who has been profane and a scoffer, when he becomes converted, can never forget the deep guilt of his former life. The effect will be to produce... read more

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