In this passage, Paul explains the connection between Christ’s resurrection and believers’ resurrection. He begins by asserting that Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, and that this resurrection is the first of God’s children who have died. Then, he explains this with the example of Adam’s impact upon mankind: since one man brought death, one man brought the resurrection of the dead. Therefore, just as those who are represented by Adam die, so those who are represented by Christ will be resurrected.

In verse 23, Paul explains that believers will be raised from the dead at Christ’s coming, after which will be the end of the age, when Christ gives His kingdom to the Father, after He has destroyed all other rule, authority, and power. The reason for this is that Christ must reign until all His enemies are destroyed by Him. The last of these enemies, Paul says, is death. Then, he quotes Scripture as saying that the Father has put all things under Christ. However, he explains, after this happens, Christ will be put in subjection to the Father, so that the unity of the Trinity and the saints may be complete.

In verse 29, Paul says something about Christians being baptized for dead Christians. Then, he implies that it is worthless for them to be baptized for them if the dead are not raised. In addition, he implies, it is useless for Paul to be in danger every moment if the dead are not raised. Furthermore, Paul says, he comes so close to death that it is almost as if he dies daily. In addition, he argues, human motives, which do not include being resurrected, would not cause him to fight with wild beasts at Ephesus, as he did. Therefore, Paul concludes, if the dead are not raised, people should eat, drink, and be merry, because they will not live for eternity. Finally, Paul warns the Corinthians that bad company corrupts any good morals, and commands them to become sober-minded, and to stop sinning because some of them do not know God. Therefore, they should be ashamed.

This passage is primarily intended to be read by believers in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Do you understand the gospel? The Apostle Paul explained it this way:

“. . . I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand, by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures; and that he appeared to Cephas; then to the twelve; then he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain until now, but some are fallen asleep; then he appeared to James; then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to the child untimely born, he appeared to me also. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.”              1 Corinthians 15:1-9

This is what Christ Himself said about the gospel:

“. . . God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” John 3:16-20

John the Baptist said this: “. . . he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on [stays directed toward] him.” – John 3:36

The Apostle Paul said this in Romans 2:4-16:

“. . . despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? but after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up for thyself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his works: to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life: but unto them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, shall be wrath and indignation, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that worketh evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek; but glory and honor and peace to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek: for there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without the law shall also perish without the law: and as many as have sinned under the law shall be judged by the law; for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified; (for when Gentiles that have not the law do by nature the things of the law, these, not having the law, are the law unto themselves; in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness therewith, and their thoughts one with another accusing or else excusing them); in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ.”

This is what you must do to be forgiven by God: repent of the way you think about Christ and your sins, and depend only on Him, the God-man, His death to pay for your sins, and His bodily resurrection from the dead as the only reason for God’s acceptance and forgiveness. As some of Paul’s audience did, if you receive, take your stand in, and entrust your eternity with the Lord Jesus Christ, His death for your sins, and bodily resurrection from the dead, you will be saved.

“. . . if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved: for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be put to shame. For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him: for, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”                    Romans 10:9-13