Solving A Pronoun Problem In 1 Corinthians 15 | Dr. Randy White

Overall Summary:
The speaker discusses solving a pronoun problem in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, arguing that the "we" mentioned in these verses refers to Israel, not the body of Christ. The speaker builds a case for this interpretation by examining the context of the passage, which discusses inheriting the kingdom of God, a promise made to Israel. The speaker also analyzes the timing and nature of the resurrection mentioned in the passage, comparing it to other scriptures.

Outline of Key Points:

1. The "we" in 1 Corinthians 12:13 refers to the body of Christ, while the "we" in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 refers to Israel.

2. The context of 1 Corinthians 15:50 discusses inheriting the kingdom of God, which is a promise made to Israel, not the body of Christ.

3. The resurrection mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 occurs at the last trumpet, which is different from the trumpet mentioned in the Rapture passage (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17).

4. The speaker examines the use of "we" throughout 1 Corinthians, noting that it consistently refers to the body of Christ until the context shifts in 1 Corinthians 15:35.

5. The passage discusses the resurrection of the dead in general, both righteous and unrighteous, who will be raised incorruptible.

6. In 1 Corinthians 15:50, the focus narrows to those who will inherit the kingdom of God, specifically Israel.

7. The mystery revealed in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 is how Israel will be changed to inherit the kingdom, not what will happen to them.

8. The speaker references Ezekiel 36:26-27 to show that God will give Israel a new heart and spirit, enabling them to walk in His statutes.

9. The speaker addresses the argument that Israel's sinfulness disqualifies them from being God's chosen people, stating that God will instantaneously change them at the resurrection.

Summary generated automatically from this transcript. This AI generated summary may contain errors reflecting the actual content of the video

Solving A Pronoun Problem In 1 Corinthians 15

Series: A Little Bit of This…A Little Bit of That

Dr. Randy White | RandyWhiteMinistries.org

Download this outline here: https://humble-sidecar-837.notion.site/Solving-A-Pronoun-Problem-In-1-Corinthians-15-1d0b35a87d6380faa780d43c45455480?pvs=4

Introduction to the Problem

  • Observation: A challenging issue emerges from the use of the pronoun "we" in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians.

  • Pronouns are critical for interpretation.

  • Misidentifying the referent can lead to doctrinal confusion.

  • Textual Example 1 – 1 Corinthians 12:13

  • Quote: "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body..."

  • "We" here clearly refers to the Body of Christ.

  • This includes both Jews and Gentiles in the Church.

  • Textual Example 2 – 1 Corinthians 15:51–52

  • Quote: "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep..."

  • Initially seems to reference the same group.

  • However, the mention of "the last trump" recalls Jewish prophetic language, not typically associated with the Church, and is in the context of kingdom inheritance.

  • Critical Questions for this Study

  • Are both uses of "we" referring to the same group?

  • If not, when and where does the shift occur?

  • What are the implications of this shift?

  • Why This Matters

  • It is critical that we understand passages carefully so that we do not create doctrinal confusion.

  • If 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 is about “we, the body,” then the Kingdom belongs, in some way, to the body.

  • Understanding the pronoun shifts clarifies Paul's intent and the doctrine he is teaching.

The Case for 1 Corinthians 15:51–52 Being About Israel

  • Premise 1: The Problem in Verse 50

  • "Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God."

  • The Body of Christ is not said to inherit a kingdom; this is Israel's promise.

  • Therefore, the problem being addressed is distinctly Jewish—how can a rebellious, carnal nation inherit a spiritual kingdom?

  • Premise 2: The Mystery Involves Sudden Transformation

  • "We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed."

  • This is not a mystery about resurrection in general—that was already known.

  • The mystery is how Israel, without dying, is changed to inherit her kingdom.

  • Premise 3: The Timing is the Last Trump

  • The "last trump" has prophetic resonance with Israel, not with the Church.

  • This aligns with passages like Isaiah 27:13 and Matthew 24:31, where trumpets gather Israel.

  • It is difficult to fit this timing into any reasonable pre-tribulational rapture view.

The Shift in the Meaning of "We"

  • All Pronouns From 12:13-15:41 Are Inclusive Of The Body Of Christ

  • 12:13, 13:9, 12, 15:19, 30-32

  • The Change in Pronoun Scope Occurs at a Critical Juncture

<![if !supportLists]>o <![endif]>In 1 Corinthians 15:35–49, the subject is explicitly “the resurrection of the dead”—a broad doctrinal category that includes all who are raised, both just and unjust.

  • v. 42, “the resurrection of the dead” is not specific to the righteous dead.

<![if !supportLists]>o <![endif]>In verse 49, Paul states:

“And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.”

  • Here, the pronoun “we” is general, encompassing all humanity, since all have borne Adam’s image.
  • The statement about bearing “the image of the heavenly” does not inherently limit itself to believers. It refers to the resurrected state—a body no longer subject to decay or death. Even the damned, who are cast into the Lake of Fire, are not described as corrupting or dying again. Their bodies endure (Rev. 20:10).

<![if !supportLists]>o <![endif]>In verse 50, however, the subject changes:

“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God...”

  • This marks a narrowing of focus: the “we” here now excludes the general population and instead refers to the “brethren,” those who are eligible to inherit the Kingdom

  • Inheritance of the Kingdom is not a universal resurrection theme—it is a prophetic promise specifically made to Israel. Paul’s readers needed to understand that natural bodies, even when resurrected, do not inherently qualify to inherit the coming earthly kingdom.

  • Inheritance in the Kingdom is not “to all who are resurrected,” but only to those who qualify. See Daniel 12:1-2.

  • The Mystery in 15:51–52 Is Kingdom-Specific

  • When Paul says, “Behold, I shew you a mystery...”, he is not introducing the resurrection itself, which was already known in Jewish Scripture (and thus not a mystery).

  • The transformation “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” at “the last trump” should be read in light of Israel’s prophetic program, not the mystery of the Body of Christ. Here are some related passages to provide support to the need for Israel to be transformed.

  • Ezekiel 36:26-27 - God promises to give Israel a new heart and spirit

  • Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant promise of internal transformation

  • Romans 11:25-27 - The mystery of Israel's future salvation

  • Note that none of these show how Israel is going to be transformed, only 1 Cor. 15:51-52 gives this mystery.

  • This is not a Rapture text in the Pauline mystery sense. Rather, it explains how a remnant of Israel, who could not inherit the kingdom in natural flesh, will be changed to do so—fulfilling prophecy, not revealing the mystery.

Conclusion: Similar, But Not the Same

  • The event described in 1 Corinthians 15:51–52 appears to resemble the rapture, but is not the rapture.
  • This is Paul's explanation of how Israel, still stubborn and fleshly, will be changed to inherit her long-promised kingdom.
  • "Things that are similar are not the same."

This framework shifts the referent of "we" in verse 51 away from the Body of Christ and toward the prophetic destiny of Israel.

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