1 Corinthians 15:58

Paul concluded his discussion of the resurrection with an exhortation to be faithful in the present (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:16-17; 1 Corinthians 5:13; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Corinthians 7:40; 1 Corinthians 10:31-33; 1 Corinthians 11:33-34; 1 Corinthians 12:31; 1 Corinthians 14:39-40).

"Despite the magnificent crescendo with which Paul brings the argument of chap. 15 to its climax, the last word is not the sure word of future hope and triumph of 1 Corinthians 15:50-57; rather, in light of such realities, the last word is an exhortation to Christian living (1 Corinthians 15:58). Thus, eschatological salvation, the great concern of the epistle, includes proper behavior or it simply is not the gospel Paul preaches." [Note: Fee, "Toward a . . .," p. 58.]

"Eschatology has moral implications (1 Corinthians 6:13-14; 1 Corinthians 15:30-32; 1 Corinthians 15:58)." [Note: Keener, 1-2 Corinthians, p. 135.]

Specifically, Paul’s exhortation does not just call for ethical behavior (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:33-34) but for continued involvement in fulfilling the Great Commission, which is the work of the gospel.

This chapter began with a review of the gospel message from which some in the Corinthian church were in danger of departing by denying the resurrection. The charge to remain steadfast (1 Corinthians 15:58) therefore probably means to remain steadfast in the gospel as the Lord and the apostles had handed it down. Paul’s readers should not move away from it but should remain immovable in it. They should also increase their efforts to serve the Lord even as Paul had done (1 Corinthians 15:10). Rather than living for the present (1 Corinthians 15:32) believers should live in the present with the future clearly in view (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Corinthians 9:26). One day we will have to give an account of our stewardship (1 Corinthians 3:12-15).

No one except Jesus Christ has come back from the dead to tell us what is on the other side. However, His testimony through His apostles is sufficient to give us confidence that there is life and bodily resurrection after death. We will live that life in a changed body that will be incapable of perishing. It is therefore imperative that we make sure that we and all around us enter that phase of our existence with our sins covered by the sacrifice of Christ. [Note: See also Gary Habermas and Anthony Flew, Did Jesus Rise From the Dead?; John Wenham, The Easter Enigma: Are the Resurrection Accounts in Conflict?; Josh McDowell, More Than A Carpenter; Stephen T. Davis, Risen Indeed: Making Sense of the Resurrection; and Frank Morison, Who Moved the Stone?]