What does "God raised the Lord" reveal about Jesus' resurrection significance? Contextual Snapshot 1 Corinthians 6:14: “By His power God raised the Lord from the dead, and He will raise us also.” Paul is correcting moral compromise in Corinth. He anchors every ethical instruction in the historical, bodily resurrection of Jesus. God’s Power on Display - The verb “raised” is aorist—pointing to a completed, historical act. - “God” (ho Theos) underscores the Father’s direct action, revealing omnipotence (Romans 6:4). - The same divine power that split the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21) and spoke creation into existence (Genesis 1:3) intervened in Jesus’ tomb. Affirmation of Jesus’ Lordship - Calling the risen One “the Lord” (ton Kurion) proclaims full deity (Philippians 2:11). - God’s act of raising validates every claim Jesus made (John 2:19–22). - The resurrection seals His authority over sin, death, and judgment (Acts 17:31). Foundation of the Gospel Message - 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: Christ “was raised on the third day.” Remove the resurrection, and the gospel collapses (1 Corinthians 15:14). - Romans 4:25: He “was raised for our justification.” We stand declared righteous because the tomb is empty. Pledge of Our Own Resurrection - “He will raise us also” ties believers’ future bodies to Christ’s present glorified body (2 Corinthians 4:14). - Philippians 3:20-21: The Lord “will transform our lowly bodies” to be like His. - Our hope is not disembodied existence but bodily, everlasting life (1 Corinthians 15:42-44). Motivation for Present Holiness - Because our bodies matter eternally, believers flee sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:15-20). - 2 Corinthians 5:10: We will appear before Christ’s judgment seat; resurrection ensures accountability. - Colossians 3:1-5: “Since you have been raised with Christ,” set your mind on things above. Connection to New Creation - Revelation 21:5: “Behold, I make all things new.” The resurrection is the firstfruits of that cosmic renewal (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). - Isaiah 65:17 anticipated a new heavens and earth; Jesus’ empty tomb inaugurates it. Assurance Rooted in History - Eyewitness testimony (1 Corinthians 15:5-8) provides verifiable evidence. - The unchanged grave clothes (John 20:6-7) witness to bodily, not merely spiritual, resurrection. - Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” The resurrected Lord continues to intercede (Romans 8:34). Living in Resurrection Reality - Courage in suffering: 2 Timothy 1:10—Christ has “abolished death.” - Urgency in mission: Acts 4:33—apostles proclaimed “with great power the resurrection.” - Steadfastness in service: 1 Corinthians 15:58—“always excel in the work of the Lord,” because resurrection labor is never in vain. |
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