Paul gives us a wonderful summary as to what the Gospel is (v1-4). The Gospel is what Jesus has done to save sinners through His death and resurrection. The resurrection is a vital part of the Gospel message and the resurrection confirms the Gospel is true and Jesus’ sacrifice for sin has been accepted by God. This is why Paul takes time to speak of the evidence of the eyewitnesses to the resurrection of Jesus (v5-11). The Gospel is to be accepted by faith but it is not blind faith but faith based on evidence.

Some within the church argued that there was no resurrection at the end of time. Paul’s response is that if there is no resurrection, Jesus has not been raised, the Gospel isn’t true and they’re a people without hope (v12-19). But Paul is emphatic that Jesus has been raised and those who trust in him will share in his resurrection (v20-34).

Paul then discusses the nature of the resurrected bodies and basically teaches that what they will be is beyond us, different to anything we know (v35-49). The important thing is that these resurrected bodies are immortal and victorious (v50-58). In these new bodies, believers will never experience death, it has been defeated completely (see v56-58).