Useful Bible Studies > 1 Corinthians Commentary > chapter 15
When people gain authority, they usually use it to increase their own importance. They want to control everyone else. That is how rulers behave (Mark 10:42). It was also how many Christians in Corinth behaved. They wanted to be important (1:10-12). They even tried to force other people to respect their authority (6:1-8). They imagined themselves to be like kings (4:8).
Christ does not behave like that. God the Father has given him all authority in heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18; Hebrews chapter 1; Philippians 2:5-11). Christ does not use this authority to increase his own importance. He uses it to serve God the Father. Christ uses this authority to defeat God’s enemies. Christ’s purpose is to put all things under the authority of God the Father.
While he lived on earth, Christ did not try to please himself. His only desire was to do what God his Father wanted. He obeyed the Father completely.
Now that Christ is in heaven, he has not changed (Hebrews 13:8). He still desires only to give honour to God his Father. He works to establish the Father’s rule over all things. He is the Son who is completely loyal to his Father.
There is one God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We see evidence of this in the Son’s attitudes towards the Father, and the Father’s attitudes towards the Son. There is no difference between their thoughts, attitudes, behaviour, desires or opinions. They always act together, and never act separately. They never disagree, but always show complete love towards each other. When, in the end, the Father rules all things, his Son will rule with him (Revelation 22:3).
Next part: Baptism for dead people (1 Corinthians 15:29)
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© 2014, Keith Simons.