What happens when we die? As Christians we believe in the resurrection of Christ. We know from reading the Gospel that there were many witnesses to the resurrection. And because Christ was raised, we can know with certainty that we too will be raised from the dead.

1 Corinthians 15 is Paul’s extended teaching on the resurrection, written to correct confusion in the Corinthian church and to anchor their faith in the core of the Gospel.

Paul begins by reminding the believers of the Gospel he preached: that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day, all according to the Scriptures. He emphasises that the resurrection is a historical reality, witnessed by many – and that this message is essential to salvation.

He then confronts the claim that there is no resurrection of the dead. Paul argues that if there is no resurrection, then Christ has not been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, faith is futile, sin remains unforgiven, the apostles are false witnesses, and Christians are to be pitied above all people. The resurrection, therefore, is not optional –it is foundational.

Paul proclaims that Christ has been raised as the “firstfruits”, guaranteeing the future resurrection of all who belong to Him. Just as death came through Adam, resurrection life comes through Christ. At the end, Christ will defeat every enemy, including death itself, and deliver the kingdom to the Father.

Paul addresses questions about the nature of the resurrection body, explaining that it will be transformed – imperishable, glorious, powerful, and spiritual – yet still bodily. Believers will be changed at Christ’s return, when mortality puts on immortality.

The chapter concludes with a triumphant declaration of victory: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” Because of the resurrection, believers can stand firm, live faithfully, and serve confidently, knowing that their labour in the Lord is not in vain.

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is in vain and your faith is in vain...
If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died...
What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Look, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When this perishable body puts on imperishability and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled:
“Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15, NRSV.)