THE KING’S BUSINESS
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iv. 17, 28; Galatians i. 18, 21; ii. 1; 1 Tim othy ii. 13; 1 TJiessalonians iv. 17; James iv. 14; John xi. 7; Hebrews vii. 2, 27). On the order o f the resurrection compare Daniel xii. 2 (Hebrew) ; Luke xx. 5; John v. 25; Acts iv. 2; Revelation xx. 5, 6 ; Hebrews xi. 35. 3. The Argument from Experience (xv. 29-34). Paul has already referred to this argu ment by reference to the change in their lives since they had received Christ as Saviour (xv. 2, 17). Now he refers to a custom .extant among them, o f baptizing for the dead. It seems to have been the belief o f some that if they were baptized in the stead o f some one o f their friends or loved ones—e. g., who had died unbap tized—that some spiritual benefit would accrue to the deceased in the future life. Not that Paul Relieved or sanctioned any such doctrine, for the distinction between the “they” o f verse twenty-nine, and the “ we” o f verse thirty shows a contrast. Further, what advantage is there in •martyrdom or living in constant expecta tion o f it for the cause o f Christ if there be no resurrection o f the body as well as an existence beyond the grave? Paul’s reference to having fought with beasts at Ephesus is probably figurative, ' and refers to his deadly conflicts with the Jews, probably especially at Ephesus (cf. iv. 9; 2 Timothy iv. 17; Titus i. 12; Matt- • hew vii. 7; 2 Corinthians i. 8 , 9; Acts xx. 10; Psalm-xxii. 12, 13, 20, 21). Paul was a Roman citizen with all the rights and privileges accruing therefrom (cf. Acts xxii. 24-29). That fact alone, would pro tect him from being thrown to the wild beasts. Ignatius, in his epistle to the Romans, says, “ From Syria even unto Rome, I fight with beasts, both by land and sea, both night and morning, being bound to ten leopards—I mean a band o f soldiers.” 4. Objections to the Resurrection of the Body Answered (xv. 35-37). . Two questions are asked: the first con cerns the manner., and the second the form o f the resurrection. Paul’s answer to the
first is' that the resurrection o f the body takes place through the death o f the body ;. to the second, that the body that is raised is a spiritual body. (a) ‘The Analogy in Nature; and the Scripture (xv. 35 - 49 ). Just as what we sow in nature is quickened only after it dies, so, is it with the body, which must die before it can be quickened into everlasting life. Just as the body o f the seed which rises from the ground is .different from that which is- placed under the ground, so is it with the resurrection o f the body. Yet the identity is preserved. You sow a grain o f wheat, and wheat, not a rose, comes up. “ Disso lution is not loss o f identity.” What was the nature and likeness of Christ’s resurrection body, which our res urrection body is to resemble? It was a real body (Luke xxiv. 39) ; recognizable- (Luke xxiv. 31 ; John xx. 16) ; powerful' (John xx. 19). ■ The characteristics o f the believer’s- resurrection body as set forth in 1 Corin thians xv : It is not flesh and blood (xv. 50, 51 ; cf. Hebrews ii. 14 ; 2 Corinthians v. 1-6; Luke xxiv. 39)—“flesh and bones,” ' so not pure spirit; a real body. It is in corruptible (xv. 42)—no decay, sickness, pain. It is glorious (xv. 43; 2 Corinthians iii. 18; Revelation i. 13-17) ; compare the- transfiguration (Matthew xvii). It has been said that ^dam and Eve in their unfallen state possessed a glorious body. The face o f Stephen was glorious in his death (Acts vi. 15). It is powerful (xv. 43)—not tired or weak; no lassitude. Compare now—the “ spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak;” not so then. It is a spiritual body (xv. 44). Here the soul is- the life o f the body ; there the spirit will be the life o f the body. It is heavenly (xv 47-49).
CONCLUSION - (Chapter xvi)
Two thoughts are ip the conclusion: first, matters pertaining to the collection,
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