1 Corinthians Week 36

Day 1 

RECEIVE 

1 Corinthians 15:27 

²⁷ For the Scriptures say, “God has put all things under his authority.” (Of course, when it says “all things are under his authority,” that does not include God himself, who gave Christ his authority.) 

After saying that Jesus will destroy death as the last enemy, Paul writes about who will not be put under His authority. In 1 Corinthians 11:3 Paul tells how there is ranking in the Godhead. From this it is learned that Jesus is the Second Person of the Trinity. He is in submission to the heavenly Father.  

REFLECT 

Do you realize there is even submission among the Godhead of Father, Son and Holy Spirit? 

RESPOND  

With a friend read John 1:1-3 to see that the Father created everything by means of or through Jesus. See also Colossians 1:15-16 in this regard.  

Day 2 

RECEIVE 

1 Corinthians 15:28 

²⁸ Then, when all things are under his authority, the Son will put himself under God’s authority, so that God, who gave his Son authority over all things, will be utterly supreme over everything everywhere. 

After Jesus has put all things under His authority, He will submit Himself to the heavenly Father. The Father had given the Son all authority; finally the Son will return all authority to the Father. This will make the Father “supreme over everything everywhere.” 

REFLECT 

As a believer in Jesus, do you realize you serve a sovereign God because He is supreme over everything? 

RESPOND 

Even in the Old Testament it is seen that the psalmist realized God was supreme. Read Psalm 97:8-9 as an example.  

Day 3 

RECEIVE 

1 Corinthians 15:29 

²⁹ If the dead will not be raised, what point is there in people being baptized for those who are dead? Why do it unless the dead will someday rise again? 

This verse has many different interpretations. A counterfeit religious group even uses it to suggest you should get baptized for a person who has died. This would make the person you were baptized for a follower of their religion. No other Scripture supports such a view. It is far better to understand the verse as referring to new believers taking the place of other believers who have passed away. 

REFLECT 

As a believer in Jesus, you can consider yourself as taking the place of another believer who has passed away.  

RESPOND 

In some parts of the world believers have died because of proclaiming their belief in Jesus. You now can help take their place by being a faithful witness yourself. This is a reminder that there are many people in heaven now who have given their lives for the sake of the gospel.  

Day 4 

RECEIVE 

1 Corinthians 15:30-31 

³⁰ And why should we ourselves risk our lives hour by hour?  ³¹ For I swear, dear brothers and sisters, that I face death daily. This is as certain as my pride in what Christ Jesus our Lord has done in you. 

Remember that Paul was writing about the resurrection and proving its validity. He asks why he and others should risk their lives in proclaiming the gospel if there is no resurrection. Some translations render verse 31 as, “I die daily.” There are those who take this in a spiritual sense. In the context Paul was referring to risking his physical life every day.  

REFLECT 

Are you thankful for others who have risked their lives to tell people about Jesus? Some are still doing this today. 

RESPOND 

Join with a friend in praying for those today who are risking their lives to tell others about Jesus. If you can tell others about Jesus without risking your life, are you doing it? 

Day 5 

RECEIVE 

1 Corinthians 15:32 

³² And what value was there in fighting wild beasts—those people of Ephesus—if there will be no resurrection from the dead? And if there is no resurrection, “Let’s feast and drink, for tomorrow we die!” 

Paul likened the unbelievers of Ephesus to be like fighting with wild beasts. He realized he could lose his life at any time. The reason Paul considered all of this to be worthwhile was because he believed in a physical resurrection. For those who really think there is no resurrection, they may as well feast and drink now because death is the end for them. Not for Paul who believed in the resurrection.  

REFLECT 

Do you have some verses in the Bible to turn to as you think about death? If not, begin to search for some. 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about what Bible verses could be used to comfort the grieving at the time of death of a believing loved one. Consider such as these: Psalm 17:15; 34:18; 116:15; Isaiah 43:2; John 11:25. It can also be helpful to copy out a reference in a sympathy card.