Often overlooked, the closing verses of this letter provide delicious insight into the life of the New Testament Church in general, and the Corinthian church in particular.  After 15 chapters of instruction for congregational problems, Paul turns to the future with the full expectation that this church will advance the Kingdom of Christ effectively in the years ahead.   He calls them to be the church they were designed by God to be.

Very early, cynical questions were asked in Corinth about bodily resurrection.  Some asked, "How are the dead raised?  With what type of body will they come?" (v. 35)  Paul answers both of these questions.  The omnipotent power of God is able to give you a body consistent  with the promise of the gospel and suitable for life in an eternal world.

The resurrection of Jesus changes the course of history.

As Paul attempts to strike a death blow to the rivalries and sectarian spirit in the Corinthian church, he uses the human body to illustrate God's ideal for each local expression of the Body of Christ...each part fulfilling an assigned role as designed, each member operating in love toward the rest. 

Paul knows that self-sacrificing love (agape) can never be adequately analyzed or explained.  It can only be described and set out on display.  This is the vital ingredient to the Christian life, to a healthy church, and to God-honoring use of spiritual gifts.  Love is the better way.

The scope of Paul's vision in this chapter is not the inner meaning of worship in the experience of the individual, but rather what worship should be and accomplish in the life of the Body in its public assembly. (Verse 1 states his overarching theme and verse 40 summarizes the entire chapter.)

"Tongues" is a major source of confusion among Christians today.  Is it necessary for salvation?  Does it confirm the presence of the Holy Spirit?  How should it be practiced in the church?  Am I missing something I need?

Considering eternity, world religions offer a variety of options: soul sleep, annihilation, reincarnation, or absorption.  The Christian idea of bodily resurrection is often rejected by philosophical dualism.  What exactly do we believe about the body and eternity?  Resurrection is not merely a nice idea.  It is central to everything we hope and live for.