Books

Acts 15

Amplified Bible, 2015 (AMP)

Back to Bible

Switch Version:

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

¹ It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in strength;

² it is sown a natural body [mortal, suited to earth], it is raised a spiritual body [immortal, suited to heaven]. As surely as there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body.

³ So it is written [in Scripture], "The first man, Adam, became a living soul (an individual);" the last Adam (Christ) became a life-giving spirit [restoring the dead to life].

⁴ However, the spiritual [the immortal life] is not first, but the physical [the mortal life]; then the spiritual.

⁵ The first man [Adam] is from the earth, earthy [made of dust]; the second Man [Christ, the Lord] is from heaven.

⁶ As is the earthly man [the man of dust], so are those who are of earth; and as is the heavenly [Man], so are those who are of heaven.

⁷ Just as we have borne the image of the earthly [the man of dust],[10] we will also bear the image of the heavenly [the Man of heaven].

⁸ Now I say this, believers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit nor be part of the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable (mortal) inherit the imperishable (immortal).

⁹ Listen very carefully, I tell you a mystery [a secret truth decreed by God and previously hidden, but now revealed]; we will not all sleep [in death], but we will all be [completely] changed [wondrously transformed],

¹⁰ in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at [the sound of] the last trumpet call. For a trumpet will sound, and the dead [who believed in Christ] will be raised imperishable, and we will be [completely] changed [wondrously transformed].

¹¹ For this perishable [part of us] must put on the imperishable [nature], and this mortal [part of us that is capable of dying] must put on immortality [which is freedom from death].

¹² And when this perishable puts on the imperishable, and this mortal puts on immortality, then the Scripture will be fulfilled that says, "Death is swallowed up in victory (vanquished forever).

¹³ O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"

¹⁴ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin [by which it brings death] is the law;

¹⁵ but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory [as conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.

¹⁶ Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord [always doing your best and doing more than is needed], being continually aware that your labor [even to the point of exhaustion] in the Lord is not futile nor wasted [it is never without purpose].

¹⁷ Now concerning the money collected for [the relief of] the saints [in Jerusalem], you are to do the same as I directed the churches of Galatia to do.

¹⁸ On the first day of every week each one of you is to put something aside, in proportion to his prosperity, and save it so that no collections [will need to] be made when I come.

¹⁹ When I arrive, I will send whomever you approve with letters [of authorization] to take your gift [of charity and love] to Jerusalem;

²⁰ and if it is fitting for me to go too, they will accompany me.

²¹ I will visit you after I go through Macedonia, for I am only passing through Macedonia;

²² but it may be that I will stay with you [for a while], or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way to wherever I may go afterward.

²³ For I do not wish to see you right now just in passing, but I hope to remain with you for some time [later on], if the Lord permits.

²⁴ But I will stay in Ephesus until[1] Pentecost,

²⁵ because a wide door for effective service has opened to me [in Ephesus, a very promising opportunity], and there are many adversaries.

²⁶ If Timothy comes, see to it that [you put him at ease, so that] he has nothing to fear in regard to you, for he is [devotedly] doing the Lord's work, just as I am.

²⁷ So allow no one to treat him with disdain [as if he were inconsequential]. But send him off [cordially, and speed him on his way] in peace, so that he may come to me, for I am expecting him [to come along] with the other brothers.

²⁸ As for our brother Apollos, I have strongly encouraged him to visit you with the other brothers. It was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has the opportunity.

²⁹ Be on guard; stand firm in your faith [in God, respecting His precepts and keeping your doctrine sound]. Act like [mature] men and be courageous; be strong.

³⁰ Let everything you do be done in love [motivated and inspired by God's love for us].

³¹ Brothers and sisters, you know that those of the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to[2] God's people—now I urge you

³² to be subject to such leaders [treating them with courtesy and respect], and to everyone who helps in the work and labors [for the benefit of yourselves and the church].

³³ I rejoice because Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus have arrived, for they have made up for your absence.

³⁴ They have refreshed my spirit as well as yours. So fully acknowledge such men and deeply appreciate them.

³⁵ The churches of Asia send you their greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church [that meets] in their house, send you their warm greetings in the Lord.

³⁶ All the believers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

³⁷ This greeting is in my own hand—Paul.

³⁸ If anyone does not love the Lord [does not obey and respect and believe in Jesus Christ and His message], he is to be accursed. Maranatha (O our Lord, come)!

³⁹ The grace of our Lord Jesus [His unmerited favor, His spiritual blessing, His profound mercy] be with you.

⁴⁰ My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.

⁴¹ Paul, an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Christ Jesus (the Messiah) by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, and to all the[1] saints (God's people) throughout Achaia (southern Greece):

#	AMP
1	It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in strength;
2	it is sown a natural body [mortal, suited to earth], it is raised a spiritual body [immortal, suited to heaven]. As surely as there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body.
3	So it is written [in Scripture], "The first man, Adam, became a living soul (an individual);" the last Adam (Christ) became a life-giving spirit [restoring the dead to life].
4	However, the spiritual [the immortal life] is not first, but the physical [the mortal life]; then the spiritual.
5	The first man [Adam] is from the earth, earthy [made of dust]; the second Man [Christ, the Lord] is from heaven.
6	As is the earthly man [the man of dust], so are those who are of earth; and as is the heavenly [Man], so are those who are of heaven.
7	Just as we have borne the image of the earthly [the man of dust],[10] we will also bear the image of the heavenly [the Man of heaven].
8	Now I say this, believers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit nor be part of the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable (mortal) inherit the imperishable (immortal).
9	Listen very carefully, I tell you a mystery [a secret truth decreed by God and previously hidden, but now revealed]; we will not all sleep [in death], but we will all be [completely] changed [wondrously transformed],
10	in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at [the sound of] the last trumpet call. For a trumpet will sound, and the dead [who believed in Christ] will be raised imperishable, and we will be [completely] changed [wondrously transformed].
11	For this perishable [part of us] must put on the imperishable [nature], and this mortal [part of us that is capable of dying] must put on immortality [which is freedom from death].
12	And when this perishable puts on the imperishable, and this mortal puts on immortality, then the Scripture will be fulfilled that says, "Death is swallowed up in victory (vanquished forever).
13	O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"
14	The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin [by which it brings death] is the law;
15	but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory [as conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.
16	Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord [always doing your best and doing more than is needed], being continually aware that your labor [even to the point of exhaustion] in the Lord is not futile nor wasted [it is never without purpose].
17	Now concerning the money collected for [the relief of] the saints [in Jerusalem], you are to do the same as I directed the churches of Galatia to do.
18	On the first day of every week each one of you is to put something aside, in proportion to his prosperity, and save it so that no collections [will need to] be made when I come.
19	When I arrive, I will send whomever you approve with letters [of authorization] to take your gift [of charity and love] to Jerusalem;
20	and if it is fitting for me to go too, they will accompany me.
21	I will visit you after I go through Macedonia, for I am only passing through Macedonia;
22	but it may be that I will stay with you [for a while], or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way to wherever I may go afterward.
23	For I do not wish to see you right now just in passing, but I hope to remain with you for some time [later on], if the Lord permits.
24	But I will stay in Ephesus until[1] Pentecost,
25	because a wide door for effective service has opened to me [in Ephesus, a very promising opportunity], and there are many adversaries.
26	If Timothy comes, see to it that [you put him at ease, so that] he has nothing to fear in regard to you, for he is [devotedly] doing the Lord's work, just as I am.
27	So allow no one to treat him with disdain [as if he were inconsequential]. But send him off [cordially, and speed him on his way] in peace, so that he may come to me, for I am expecting him [to come along] with the other brothers.
28	As for our brother Apollos, I have strongly encouraged him to visit you with the other brothers. It was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has the opportunity.
29	Be on guard; stand firm in your faith [in God, respecting His precepts and keeping your doctrine sound]. Act like [mature] men and be courageous; be strong.
30	Let everything you do be done in love [motivated and inspired by God's love for us].
31	Brothers and sisters, you know that those of the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to[2] God's people—now I urge you
32	to be subject to such leaders [treating them with courtesy and respect], and to everyone who helps in the work and labors [for the benefit of yourselves and the church].
33	I rejoice because Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus have arrived, for they have made up for your absence.
34	They have refreshed my spirit as well as yours. So fully acknowledge such men and deeply appreciate them.
35	The churches of Asia send you their greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church [that meets] in their house, send you their warm greetings in the Lord.
36	All the believers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
37	This greeting is in my own hand—Paul.
38	If anyone does not love the Lord [does not obey and respect and believe in Jesus Christ and His message], he is to be accursed. Maranatha (O our Lord, come)!
39	The grace of our Lord Jesus [His unmerited favor, His spiritual blessing, His profound mercy] be with you.
40	My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.
41	Paul, an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Christ Jesus (the Messiah) by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, and to all the[1] saints (God's people) throughout Achaia (southern Greece):

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

Holy Bible

Acts 15

Select Commentary