After Paul addressed issues that had arisen in the church, and after answering their questions, he gave a lesson on the gospel of Jesus Christ. First, Jesus died for our sins, according to the Scriptures. Jews and Christians are people of the book, the Scriptures. Second, Jesus was buried and raised on the third day, and this fulfilled the Scriptures. The third point was that there are people who have seen the risen Lord. He then addressed the issue of the resurrection, and how if Jesus had not been raised, then we could not be raised, our faith would be worthless, and we would all still be in our sins. But, the resurrection is real, and we have hope. In the first Adam we all have sinned, but in Christ we have new life. Paul continued to say that those who believed and died are the first fruits of salvation, but when Christ comes again, those that are still alive in the flesh will be transformed. The natural body will take on the spiritual body. Then Hosea 13:14 will be fulfilled, "Death is swallowed up in victory!" We are to faithfully serve the Lord until He comes again. In the last chapter, Paul encouraged the church to take up an offering for the church in Jerusalem, greet Timothy and Apollos when they come, and that Paul hoped to be there before winter. He was encouraged by the men from Corinth, Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus. He sent them greetings, and blessed them in the grace and love of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
