JMNT(i)
1 Now I am progressively making known to you, brothers (= fellow members of the believing community; = family members), the good news (the message of goodness, ease and well-bring) – which I myself announced as glad tidings for you (or: the message of goodness to you; the directive of ease and well-being among you) – which you also accepted and embraced, as well as within which you have taken a stand, and in union with which you now stand,
2 [and] through means of which you folks are also progressively, and one after another, being rescued, delivered, and made whole (saved, preserved and restored to your original state and condition) – since you people are continuously keeping [it] in possession and retaining [it] – [even] by which, and in which, Word (or: expressed message) I, myself, announced these glad tidings to you people: the message of goodness for you! [Now this is] outside of this exception: [that] you placed your trust randomly (or: Unless, in fact, you folks did believe to no purpose and express conviction feignedly)!
3 For I handed on (or: give over as tradition) to you, among [the] first (or: primary) things, that which I also accepted and embraced: that Christ died over [the situation and circumstances of] our failures (on behalf of our mistakes and sins) – corresponding to the Scriptures –
4 and that He was buried, and that He has been awakened and raised in (or: on) the third day, and He remains thus – corresponding to the Scriptures –
5 and that He was seen by Cephas – next (or: later) by the Twelve.
6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brothers (= fellow believers) at one time – of whom the majority continue remaining until right now (the present), yet some fell asleep (= died; passed away).
7 After that He was seen by Jacob (= James), next by all the sent-forth folks (or: the representatives; the emissaries sent off with a mission).
8 Yet last of all [these] folks, He was seen by me, also – as if it were by one born prematurely (or: in a miscarriage; = born too soon, and thus weak and not fully developed, or, born dead, or, aborted; or: by one forth from out of a wound).
9 For I myself am the smallest (thus: the least one) of the sent-forth people (envoys; representatives), who am not adequate to reach [the stature] to be normally called a sent-off representative or emissary, because I pursued and persecuted God's called-out (or: the community of the called-out whose source is God, and which have the character of God).
10 Yet in (or: by; for; with) God's grace, and joyous favor which is God, I am what I am, and His [placed]-into-me grace (or: [birthed]-into-me joyous favor) was not birthed to be empty, but on the contrary, I toiled to exhaustion by hard labor in excess of them all – yet not I, but rather God's grace and favor, together with me [other MSS read: which {is} with me].
11 Whether therefore I or those, in this way we are constantly preaching the message, and in this way you folks came (or: come) to trust, believe and experience loyalty.
12 Now since (or: if) Christ is habitually being publicly preached (heralded as a message) that He has been, and remains, awakened and raised up from out of the midst of dead folks, how are some among you folks repeatedly saying that there is (or: there exists) no resurrection of dead people?
13 Now if there is presently no resurrection of dead people (or: if there continues being no resurrection of dead ones; if a resurrection of dead ones does not constantly exist), neither has Christ been awakened and raised up.
14 So if Christ has not been awakened and raised up, our message which we preach [is] consequently empty and without content – and your [other MSS: our] faith and trust [is] empty and vacuous,
15 and further, we [thus] continue to be found being false witnesses, from and concerning God, because we bring testimony and evidence down from God that He awakened and raised up the Christ – Whom, consequently, He did not raise up, if indeed dead ones are not really being habitually (or: periodically; one after another) awakened and raised up!
16 For if dead ones are not habitually (or: presently, one after another; periodically) being awakened and raised up, neither has Christ been awakened and raised up.
17 And if Christ has not been awakened and raised up, your faith and trust exists being devoid of success and results – you are still within the midst of and in union with your mistakes, failures and sins!
18 Consequently, also, those falling asleep within the midst of and in union with Christ lose themselves (or: loose-away and destroy themselves).
19 If we are (or: exist being) folks having placed an expectation in Christ within this life only, we are, of all humanity (or: mankind; people), the ones most to be pitied and in need of mercy and compassion.
20 Yet now – at this present time! – Christ is roused and awake from having been raised up from out of the midst of dead people: a Firstfruit (= the first of the harvest; the Sheaf Offering, signally the beginning of the harvest [Lev. 23:10]) of those having fallen asleep, and are yet sleeping (reposing).
21 For since through a person (or: a human; or: humanity) [came] death, through a Person (or: a Human), also, [comes] resurrection of dead people.
22 For just as within Adam all keep on (or: everyone continues) dying, in the same way, also, within the Christ, all will keep on being made alive (or: in union with the Anointed One, everyone will one-after-another be created with Life)
23 – yet each person within the effect of his or her own class or division (or: result of an ordered rank; effect of place or appointed position [in line]; result of the arranged [time] or order of succession): Christ a Firstfruit (a First of the harvest), next after that, those belonging to the Christ (or: the ones who have their source and origin in the Anointing; those who are [a part] of the Christ) within the midst of, and in union with, His presence,
24 thereafter, the purposed goal and destiny (the finished work; the embodiment of maturity and perfection; the fulfillment; the result; the outcome; the end and purpose attained; the realization of the perfect discharge; or: the end; the closing act; the consummation), when He can proceed handing over (or: would progressively pass along and entrust; should, by habit, give over) the reign (or: sphere of sovereignty; kingdom) to God, even [the] Father (or: in [His] God and Father), at the time that He would bring down to idleness (make unemployed and ineffective; nullify; abolish; render useless and unproductive) every rulership of government (all headship and sovereignty), even all authority and power (or: every right, privilege and what comes out of being – also, ability)!
25 For it is binding and necessary for Him to be continuously reigning (ruling as King; exercising sovereignty) until which [time or situation] (or: until where) He would put (or: may place; could set) all the things that have or hold ruin (or: the enemies) under His feet.
26 [The] last holder of ruin (or: enemy; quality having ill-will) being progressively brought down to idleness (made unemployed and ineffective; rendered useless and unproductive) [is] the Death (or: Death, a last enemy, is being presently nullified and abolished).
27 For you see, "He completely arranges, humbly aligns and then appends and puts under shelter all humanity (or: subjoins, supportively arranges in subordination, and brings under full control, all things) under His feet (= as supporting forces in His kingdom)." [Ps. 8:6] Now whenever He should say that all humanity (or: everything) has been completely aligned and arranged under full, subjected and sheltered control, [it is] evident (clearly visible) that [it is] with the exception of, and outside of, the One subjecting the whole (or: arranging all things and situations in humble, subordinate, attached alignment) in Him, to Him and for Him.
28 Now whenever the whole (or: all things) may be completely supportively-aligned in Him (or: subjected/appended to Him; subordinately sheltered and arranged for Him), then the Son Himself will also continue being supportively aligned to, fully subjoined for and humbly attached under as an arranged shelter in, the One subjecting, appending and sheltering the whole in Him (or: attaching all things to Him), to the end that God can be all things within the midst of and in union with all humanity (or: may be everything in all things; or: should exist being All in all; or: would exist being everything, within the midst of everyone).
29 Otherwise, what will the folks now being baptized (immersed) continue doing – or what will they continue producing – concerning (over [the situation] of; for the sake of) the dead people? If dead folks are not altogether (actually; absolutely; generally speaking) being habitually awakened and presently raised up, then why are these folks even being repeatedly baptized (or: presently immersed, as a normal practice) concerning them (over their [situation]; for their sake)? [comment: this vs. has been a quandary for most scholars, but I suggest that it presents the perspective held by first century believers regarding their perceived relationship with those who died before coming to hear of the Christ, and thus be baptized – and it appears that their view was one of solidarity with them]
30 And why are we constantly taking risks and being in danger all through every hour?
31 Daily I am repeatedly facing death (or: progressively dying)! Brothers, [I swear (or: strongly affirm)] by my pride in you! (or: Yes! On the basis of your own boasting, [my family]) – which I continually possess, and hold within Christ Jesus, our Lord (Owner; Master) –
32 if I fight (or: fought) in accord with human [means, methods or purposes] with wild beasts in Ephesus, what [is] the benefit for or to me (or: how am I furthered by it)? If dead people are not habitually (or: continuously; periodically) being awakened and raised up, "we should eat and drink, for tomorrow we continue dying away!" [Isa. 22:13]
33 Stop being led astray (or: Do not continue being deceived and caused to wander)! “Worthless associations, conversations or interminglings in a crowd (or: Companionships of corrupt quality [note: this can refer to sexual encounters]; Bad company or communication) habitually and progressively corrupt, decay, spoil and ruin useful habits, kind customs and profitable characters.” [note: a quote from a play by the poet Menander]
34 Sober up by returning your senses into the Way pointed out, with fairness, equity and rightwised relationships, and stop sinning (do not continue in error or failure), for some (or: certain folks) continue holding an absence of an intimate knowledge of God (or: habitually possess an ignorance pertaining to God). I am now saying this with a view toward a turning back within [the situation] by you people (or: facing shame and humiliation for you folks).
35 But still someone will say, "How are the dead ones being habitually (or: presently; periodically) awakened and raised up? And in what sort of body (or: with what kind of material organism) are they continuing to come (or: one-after-another going)?"
36 You idiot! (or: You senseless and stupid fellow!) What you are habitually sowing is not being progressively brought to life unless it should die off. [comment: thus death is the path toward resurrection]
37 And further, that which you continue sowing: you folks are not progressively sowing the body [= the organism] which shall be coming into being (or: that will be developing), but rather, a naked seed (a bare kernel, or grain without clothing), whether it may hit the target of wheat (= perchance of wheat), or any one of the rest [of the grains].
38 Yet God habitually gives a body to (or: for) it, according as He wills (intends; purposed), and to (or: for; with) each of the seeds its own body.
39 Not all flesh [is] the same flesh, but to the contrary, [there is] indeed one [flesh] of humans (of people; of mankind), yet another flesh of tamed animals (or: of livestock), still another flesh of birds (or: flyers), and another of fishes.
40 And then [there are] supra-heavenly bodies (bodies having the characteristics of that upon the dome of the sky, or the upper heavens, the celestial), and earthly bodies (bodies which exist upon the land; terrestrial bodies), but [they are] indeed different: the glory of the supra-heavenly [bodies is] one thing, while the glory of the earthly [is] different.
41 [There is] one glory (or: splendor) of [the] sun, and another glory of [the] moon, and another glory of [the] stars, in fact star continues differing from star, in glory and splendor (or: for you see, [one] star is progressively carrying through and bearing apart in excellence from [another] star).
42 Thus also (or: In this way too) [is] the resurrection of the dead people. It is habitually (repeatedly; presently; one after another) being sown within corruption (or: in union with decay and ruin; in perishability); it is being habitually (or: presently; repeatedly; one after another) awakened and raised up within incorruption (non-decayability; imperishableness).
43 It is constantly being sown within dishonor (in union with lack of value; in the midst of worthlessness), it is being habitually (or: repeatedly; constantly; one after another; progressively) awakened and raised up within, and in union with, power and ability.
44 It is habitually (continually; repeatedly; presently) being sown a body having the qualities and characteristics of a soul (a soulish body; or: = a body animated by soul; or: = a natural entity); it is habitually (repeatedly; constantly; presently; one after another) being awakened and raised up a spiritual body (a body having the qualities and characteristics of the Breath-effect; or: = a spiritual entity). Since there is a soulish body (or: = body animated by soul), there also is (or: exists) a spiritual one (or: = one animated by spirit). [comment: note the germinal connection between the two – they are a progression of the same body]
45 Thus also (or: In this way also), it has been written, "The first human (or: man), Adam, came for existence (or: was birthed) into [being] a living soul" [Gen. 2:7]; the Last Adam into [being] a continuously life-making (life-engendering; life-creating; life-giving) Spirit (or: Breath-effect; Attitude).
46 Nevertheless, the spiritual [is] not first, but rather the one having the qualities and characteristics of a soul (the soulish), then afterwards, the spiritual (that pertaining to and having the qualities of Breath-effect and Attitude).
47 The first human (person; man) [was/is] forth from out of the earth (land; ground; soil; dirt), made of moist soil and mud (or: having the quality and characteristics of moist dirt that can be poured; soilish), the Second Human (Person; Man; [p 46 reads: {is} spiritual; other MSS add: {is} the Lord]) [is made] of heaven (or: sky; atmosphere). [note: the phrases describing the material of the two humans are parallel in the Greek of the first textual reading]
48 As [is] the person made of and having the character and quality of moist soil or mud (or: pourable dirt), of such sort also [are] the people [who are] made of and have the character and quality of moist soil or mud (soil-ish folks); and likewise, as [is] the Heavenly Person (or: the one made of and having the quality and character of the supra-heaven), of such sort also [are] the supra-heavenly people – those made of and having the quality and character of the supra-heaven (or: the finished and perfected atmosphere, or the added sky).
49 And correspondingly as we bear and wear the image of the dusty person, [p46 adds: doubtless] we can and should [B reads: will] also bear and wear the image of the supra-heavenly One (or: belonging to the One having the quality and character of the finished and perfected atmosphere; or: from the fully-heaven [sphere]; of the added-sky person).
50 Now I am saying this, brothers (= fellow members and believers), that flesh and blood (= humans in their estranged condition; = people of dust who have not been resurrected) have no power and continue unable to inherit or receive and participate in an allotted portion of God's reign (kingdom or sovereign action) – neither is corruption and decay (the perishable) continuing on to inherit (participate in the allotment of) the Incorruption (Imperishability).
51 See (Look and consider)! I am progressively telling you a secret ([the] mystery)! We, indeed, shall not all continue falling asleep, yet we all will continue being changed (or: On the one hand, not all of us will continue [dying], but on the other hand, we all will be progressively altered; or: We all shall not continue being put to repose, and so we all shall keep on being transformed; or: All of us shall not continue sleeping, but we all will continue being rearranged to be another or made to be otherwise),
52 within the midst of an instant (or: in union with what is uncut and indivisible), in a rapid sweep or blink of an eye, within, or in union with, the midst of the last or final trumpet. You see, the trumpet will continue sounding (or: For He will proceed to be trumpeting; Indeed, it will keep on trumpeting), and the dead people will one-after-another be awakened and raised up [A, D and others: will keep on standing back up again; will continue being resurrected] incorruptible (imperishable). And so we ourselves will keep on, one-after-another being changed (or: progressively be made otherwise, altered and transformed).
53 For it continues being necessary (it is habitually binding) for this perishable and corruptible to at some point plunge (or: sink) in and clothe itself with (or: slip on; put on) incorruption and imperishability, and for this mortal (one that is subject to death) to at some point plunge and sink in and clothe itself with (or: put on; slip on as a garment) immortality (or: the absence of death; deathlessness; undyingness).
54 Now whenever [other MSS add: this corruptible would (or: may) put on incorruption and] this mortal would (or: may) plunge, sink in and clothe itself with (or: slip on; put on) the Immortality, then will continue taking place (or: proceed being birthed; successively come into existence) the word (the thought; the message; the saying) which has been written, "The Death was drunk down and swallowed into Victory (or: overcoming)!" [Isa. 25:8]
55 "Where, O Death, [is] your victory (or: overcoming)? Where, O Death, [is] your stinger (sharp point; sting; goad; spur)?" [Hos. 13:14; note: TR reads "O Unseen (Hades)" in the second line, following the LXX and Heb.]
56 Now the sharp point and stinger of (or: the sting, thus, the injection from) the Death [is] the Sin (the mistake; the error; the failure), and the power and ability of the Sin [is] the Law.
57 But grace and joyous favor [is] in God (or: by God) – the One presently and progressively giving the Victory (or: the overcoming) to us, in us and for us through our Lord (Owner; Master), Jesus, [the] Christ!
58 Consequently, my beloved brothers, progressively come to be seated and settled folks – immovable and unswerving people – continuing to always be surrounded by more than enough (or: superabounding) within the midst of the Lord's work (= [Yahweh's or Christ's] deed or act), having seen and now knowing that your fatiguing labor (or: toil) does not exist without contents (is not empty) within and in union with [the] Lord [= Christ or Yahweh].