Power and Resurrection in Paul

Preamble

A study of the use of the word "power" in Paul's letters shows how important real transformation and/or resurrection is for Paul.  I will even argue that when Paul refers to Jesus' crucifixion he has in mind his resurrection too.  For example, in 1 Corinthians Paul proclaims Christ crucified (1:23) and that he decided to know nothing among the Corinthians except Christ crucified (2:2).  I claim these statements utilize metonymy in which the mention of crucifixion has in mind the whole crucifixion-resurrection event.  Paul does so I will argue because he wants to say something about his own ministry.

"Power" in Paul

The thesis-like statement in Romans is that the gospel is the power of God for salvation (1:16).  This already hints of the crucifixion-resurrection event.  It's possible the crucifixion is hinted at because Paul prefaces this statement with the claim that he is not ashamed of the gospel.  This could very well point to Jesus' death as a shameful outcome for a Messiah.  The resurrection is hinted at by the mention of salvation.  For Paul, salvation and resurrection are sister concepts.  Romans begins with the claim that Jesus was designated Son-of-God-in-power according to a Spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead (1:4).  We see here the close association of power with resurrection.  Other verses prove the association:

• 1 Corinthians 6:14 And God raised the Lord and will raise us by his power.
• 1 Corinthians 15:43 sown in dishonor it is raised in glory; sown in weakness, it is raised in power.
• 2 Corinthians 13:4 for indeed he was crucified in weakness but he lives by the power of God.  For we are weak in him but we will live with him by the power of God toward you. 
• Philippians 3:10 to know him and the power of the resurrection of him.

The power that Jesus acquired by his resurrection (Rom. 1:4) is demonstrated by his life giving ability:

Thus it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. [1 Corinthians 15:45]
 

Romans puts it this way:

 But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. [Romans 8:10]
 

Note the role of the Holy Spirit in all this.  The Spirit is also wedded to resurrection.  It is for this reason that Paul ties both power and spirit to his own ministry:  "My speech and proclamation were not with plausible words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power." [1 Corinthians 2:4).

Paul's use of the crucifixion

I claim that Paul based his ministry on the pattern of Jesus' death and resurrection.  He apologized for his weakness by pointing to the example set by Jesus.  For Paul, the cross was weakness, not power; see the above quote where is says that Jesus was crucified in weakness.  Paul came in weakness but power follows just as Jesus' powerful resurrection followed his shameful crucifixion.  This is why I claim that when Paul mentions the crucifixion he has the power of the resurrection tied to it (see 1 Cor. 1:17-18).  He highlights Jesus crucifixion because Paul's own ministry mimicked the Jesus death-resurrection event.  The crucifixion in and of itself was weakness and shame, but because it demontrated Jesus' obedience it was followed by the power of the resurrection.

Theological upshot

We Christians ought to imitate both Jesus and Paul by embracing obedience, even obedience unto death (Phil. 2:8).  Though the world will see our lifestyle as weak and counter-cultural, we can be assured that true power is found in weakness.  As Paul says, "when I am weak, then I am strong."  Amen.