Victorious Faith: Living in the Power of the Resurrection
- Be God's Glory
- Nov 25
- 9 min read
Welcome to Day 328 of The Glory Team Bible Reading Plan.
In these final chapters of Paul’s letter, he anchors the Corinthians in the core truth of the Christian faith—the resurrection of Jesus Christ—and then instructs them on how this truth shapes their daily living, community life, and generosity. Paul defends the resurrection as a historical and theological reality, explaining that without it, the Christian faith would collapse entirely. He shows how Christ’s resurrection guarantees believers’ future resurrection and the ultimate defeat of death. Chapter 16 shifts toward practical matters, demonstrating how resurrection hope translates into real-world obedience through giving, supporting ministry, serving faithfully, and walking in love. Together, these chapters tie doctrine to discipleship, reminding believers that the resurrection isn’t only a future promise but a present power that transforms how Christians live, labor, and love.
1 Corinthians 15
Paul begins by reminding the Corinthians of the gospel he preached—Christ died for sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures—establishing the resurrection as the non-negotiable foundation of Christian faith. He presents eyewitness evidence of Jesus’ resurrection, pointing to its historical credibility and spiritual importance. Paul then addresses confusion about the resurrection of the dead, teaching that if Christ has not been raised, the Christian faith is empty and believers remain in their sins. He explains that Christ’s resurrection is the “firstfruits,” ensuring the future resurrection of all who belong to Him and the ultimate destruction of death. Using the analogy of seeds transforming into new bodies, Paul reveals the nature of the resurrected body—glorious, imperishable, and Spirit-empowered. He closes by declaring the believer’s future victory in Christ and calling them to steadfast, unshakeable work in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 16
Paul shifts from doctrine to practical instructions, beginning with a call for orderly, intentional giving to support believers in need, showing that generosity is an expression of unity in the body of Christ. He outlines his travel plans and emphasizes the importance of flexibility and obedience to God’s leading, modeling how ministry decisions must follow the Spirit’s direction. Paul commends faithful workers such as Timothy and Apollos, urging the church to receive them with love and respect, reinforcing the value of honoring those who labor for the gospel. He encourages the Corinthians to stay alert, stand firm in the faith, act courageously, and let everything be done in love—virtues essential for a healthy church. The chapter closes with greetings, affirmations of saints who serve, and a heartfelt call to love the Lord, reminding the church that their relationships, service, and devotion must all flow from their love for Christ.
Origin & Meaning of the Name:
The book is named after the city of Corinth, a prominent Greek city known for its wealth, commerce, and cultural diversity. The name “Corinthians” simply refers to the people of Corinth, who were the recipients of Paul’s letter. Corinth was a major port city on the Isthmus of Corinth, strategically located for trade and travel, which contributed to both its prosperity and the moral challenges faced by its inhabitants.
Purpose of the Book:
Paul wrote 1 Corinthians to address divisions, moral issues, and questions about Christian conduct within the Corinthian church. The letter provides guidance on maintaining unity, living a holy life, understanding spiritual gifts, and navigating relationships within the church. Paul emphasizes the importance of relying on God’s wisdom rather than human wisdom, correcting sinful behavior, and reinforcing the gospel’s centrality, particularly the message of Christ crucified as the foundation for faith.
Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:
The Apostle Paul is the author of 1 Corinthians. Internal evidence supports this claim, as Paul identifies himself as the writer in 1 Corinthians 1:1–2: “Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, to the church of God that is in Corinth.”Additional evidence includes:
2 Corinthians 1:1 and Romans 16:23, which reference Paul’s letters to Corinth and his co-workers.
Acts 18:1-18 documents Paul’s time in Corinth, establishing his close relationship with the church and confirming the historical context for the letter.
Early church historians such as Eusebius and references in the writings of Clement of Rome (c. AD 95) also acknowledge Paul as the author of the letter to the Corinthians.
Key People:
Paul – the author, apostle, and primary spiritual guide for the Corinthian church.
Sosthenes – co-sender of the letter, likely a leader or prominent member of the Corinthian congregation (1:1).
Apollos – an eloquent teacher and minister whom some Corinthians followed, causing divisions (1:12; 3:4-6).
Cephas (Peter) – referenced as another leader whom some church members favored (1:12).
Christ Jesus – central to the letter, as Paul repeatedly emphasizes reliance on Him as the foundation of faith (1:2, 2:2, 3:11).
Other unnamed members of the Corinthian church – involved in disputes, immorality, and questions that prompted Paul’s guidance.
Conclusion
The book of 1 Corinthians addresses the struggles of a young church learning to live out its faith in a challenging cultural context. Paul calls the Corinthians to unity, humility, moral integrity, and dependence on God’s wisdom rather than human pride. He emphasizes that Christ is the foundation of all spiritual life and ministry, and that God’s power is made perfect in human weakness. The letter is both corrective and instructive, offering timeless guidance for believers navigating divisions, moral challenges, and the pursuit of spiritual maturity. It remains a foundational text for understanding Christian conduct, church unity, and reliance on God’s wisdom.
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.
1 Corinthians 15
In 1 Corinthians 15, God is revealed as faithful, powerful, and sovereign over life and death. He is the God who keeps His promises, fulfilling Scripture by raising Jesus from the dead just as He declared. His character shines through His ability to bring life out of what seems final, proving that nothing is beyond His reach. Through the resurrection, we see a God who brings hope, victory, and eternal purpose to His people.
There are no direct Hebrew names of God mentioned in this chapter, but His identity as the life-giver and victorious King is clearly displayed. God teaches believers that the resurrection is not symbolic—it is the foundation of our faith and the guarantee of our future transformation. He invites us to trust Him with the parts of our lives that feel dead, reminding us that He works powerfully beyond what we can see. The lesson is that because God has conquered death itself, we can stand firm, steadfast, and abounding in His work, knowing nothing done for Him is wasted.
1 Corinthians 16
In 1 Corinthians 16, God reveals Himself as a God of order, unity, and purposeful movement. He guides His people in practical living, showing that faith is not only spiritual insight but daily obedience. God’s character is seen in His concern for generosity, teamwork, and mutual support within the body of Christ. He is a relational God who values love, service, and faithfulness in community.
There are no Hebrew names of God directly mentioned in this chapter, so the focus remains on how God leads His people through wise structure and loving action. God teaches that devotion to Him expresses itself in generosity, encouragement, honoring leaders, and standing firm in faith. He shows that love must guide every decision and every relationship within the church. The lesson is that God desires a community rooted in love, alertness, courage, and consistent service flowing from our relationship with Him.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions:
Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?
What does the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15 reveal about God’s power over life, death, and the impossible?
How does God’s faithfulness shine through in Paul’s reminder that Christ rose “according to the Scriptures”?
What aspects of God’s sovereignty are seen in His plan for the resurrection order—Christ as the firstfruits and believers afterward?
How does God’s character as a God of order and structure appear in His instructions for giving and ministry in chapter 16?
What does God’s emphasis on love in all actions (16:14) teach us about His relational and compassionate nature?
How does the way God builds and empowers the body of Christ reflect His wisdom and intentional design?
Where do you see God’s heart for unity and care for others revealed through the commands and encouragements in these chapters?
Questions About Themes:
How does Paul show that the resurrection is the central theme and cornerstone of the Christian faith?
Why is the theme of victory—especially victory over death—important for understanding the Christian hope?
What does the contrast between perishable and imperishable bodies teach about the transformation God promises?
How does chapter 16 emphasize the theme of Christian community through giving, serving, and honoring workers?
What theme is reinforced by Paul’s instructions to “be watchful, stand firm, be strong, and do everything in love”?
How do these chapters connect doctrine (what we believe) with practice (how we live)?
How does Paul highlight the theme of steadfastness and perseverance in the faith because of the resurrection?
Reflective Application Questions:
In what areas of your life do you need to trust God for “resurrection power”—bringing life, strength, or restoration where things feel dead or hopeless?
How does understanding the certainty of the resurrection shape the way you face daily struggles, grief, or spiritual battles?
What does it mean for you personally to be “steadfast and immovable” in your faith, especially in challenging seasons?
How can you practice intentional generosity like the believers in chapter 16, supporting God’s work and God’s people?
Which relationships or roles in your life need more love, as commanded in “let all that you do be done in love”?
How can you better honor, support, or partner with those who labor in ministry—like Paul encouraged the Corinthians to do?
What practical step can you take this week to live more courageously and faithfully because you know your labor in the Lord is not in vain?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
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