What deep doctrine does Paul teach in 1 Corinthians even though it was written to carnal believers?
In 1 Corinthians, Paul teaches the profound doctrine of resurrection—specifically Christ as the last Adam, a life-giving Spirit, and the believer’s future eternal state of flesh and bone where the Spirit, not blood, gives life. This deep truth appears in the same letter addressed to carnal, immature believers who could only receive milk.
Les explains that 1 Corinthians was written to the most carnal congregation Paul dealt with, believers he could not feed strong meat because they were yet babes and carnal. Yet in that same letter, especially 1 Corinthians 15, Paul sets out the profound, deep doctrines of the whole Christian experience, namely resurrection. Les points to the last Adam, Christ, as a life-giving or quickening spirit. He notes that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom, but flesh and bone can, and asks what life-giving substance will keep the eternal body functioning. The answer is the Spirit of God Himself. Even now believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, but not to the degree of the eternal state. In this physical existence life is in the blood; in the eternal existence life will be in the Spirit. Les admits he has not fully figured out how it all works.
More Questions
What deep topic does Paul suddenly take up in 1 Corinthians chapter 15?
After dealing with the Corinthians' problems, Paul suddenly turns in chapter 15 to some of the deepest aspects of the Christian faith, namely resurrection.