1 Corinthians 15:30

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Tuesday, 24 March 2015

And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour? 1 Corinthians 15:30

Paul now delivers an added note of surety concerning the truth of the resurrection by beginning with the words “And why….” This then is tied to the previous verse concerning being “baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all.” Contrasting “the dead” of the previous verse, he now says “we.” In this, he is speaking of the work of the apostles who risked life and limb in the spreading of the message of Christ.

These men, and those who had heard and decided to follow their path, were known to “stand in jeopardy every hour.” Their lives were constantly threatened as they carried on the work of sharing the gospel. He will conclude this line of reasoning with 1 Corinthians 15:32, but there is much more concerning the difficult lives of the apostles recorded in Acts and in extra-biblical documents as well. Further, in 2 Corinthians 11, Paul writes concerning many of the difficulties he personally faced –

“…..in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— 28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?” 2 Corinthians 11:23-29

His question is basically, “What would be the point of going through all of this if the resurrection wasn’t true?” It would make no sense. Wouldn’t it be better to follow any path than this one! But they did follow it, because the path ultimately leads to Christ Jesus and the truth that we too shall be resurrected, just as He was, if in fact we believe the gospel message. The real question then should be, “How could somebody not be willing to stand in jeopardy every hour?”

Life application: With Christ, there is hope; without Christ there is none. Be willing to put yourself at risk for the truth of Christ and the sanctity of His superior, most precious word.

Lord God, there are people who would question the sanity of those who are willing to give their lives for the gospel message. Why would anyone put themselves at harm in a hostile world for this word? But Lord, the real question is, “How is it possible that a true Christian would not be willing to stand in jeopardy every moment for it?” Without this message, there is only eternal separation from You. Give me the heart’s desire to be willing to speak out, even at the cost of my own life, for the truth of Your word. Amen.

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