The entire section of this week's epistle text serves as kind of a warm-up speech for Paul's later focus on the particulars of resurrection. In these first eleven verses of the 15th chapter, however, Paul takes pains to create the atmosphere of a coalesced community, bound together by firm faith, despite the fact that they may still be confused about where that faith may be taking them. Paul begins this chapter by claiming the Corinthians as his kin, joined to him through their mutual experiences with the "good news." Though he phrases his introductory greeting in a somewhat flowery, ceremonial pattern, he nonetheless affirms that he and his readers share a common experience of transmitting and receiving the gospel.

Even though he has made it clear that the Corinthians stand securely withi…