Did Paul Expect to Survive until the Parousia? A Suggested Re-reading of 1 Cor. 15.51-52

Abstract

This article questions the conventional interpretation of 1 Corinthians 15.51-52, especially as evidence that Paul assumed an imminent parousia. There are two main problems with the conventional view. First, the majority view of 1 Cor. 15.51 relies on a counter-intuitive reading of the syntax. Secondly, on 15.52, the usual interpretation must assume that the reference to change there has a different scope from the similar statement earlier in 15.51. The constructive argument takes verses 51 and 52 in turn. First, the proposed reading of verse 51 adopts a more natural understanding of πάντες οὐ, and reconsiders the meaning of ‘shall sleep’ (κοιμηθησόμεθα). This yields the following sense: ‘None of us shall continue to sleep, but we will all be changed in an instant, in the blinking of an eye, at the last trumpet.’ This alternative view is strengthened by evidence that Paul envisages this last trumpet as waking the dead: Paul refers to a state of sleep coming to an end in verse 51, not the falling asleep of some believers. Secondly, in verse 52, Paul is not distinguishing between the living and dead but rather is concluding his answer to the questions about resurrection posed in 15.35.