I Corinthians 15
A plain-spoken deep dive on the whole chapter. Read the chapter →
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The Gospel which I preached unto you - This Gospel is contained in Christ dying for our sins, being buried, and rising again the third day. See the following verses.
Open source ↗THE RESURRECTION PROVED AGAINST THE DENIERS OF IT AT CORINTH. (1Co. 15:1-58) Moreover--"Now" [ALFORD and ELLICOTT]. I declare--literally, "I make known": it implies some degree of reproach that it should be now necessary to make it known to them afresh, owing to some of them "not having the knowledge of God" (Co1 15:34). Compare Gal 1:11. wherein ye stand--wherein ye now take your stand. This is your present actual privilege, if ye suffer not yourselves to fall from your high standing.
Open source ↗Moreover brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel,.... The apostle here passes on, and proceeds to a new subject, the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, which some in this church denied; and which he undertakes to prove, establish, and defend; and in order to lead on to it, observes, that what he was about to declare, make known, or put them in mind of, was no other than the Gospel he had formerly preached to them, they had received, professed to stand in, and were saved by, unless their faith was in vain. The doctrine of the resurrection of the dead he calls "the Gospel", that being a most important doctrine, and a fundamental article of it. The resurrection of Christ from the dead made a considerable part in the ministry of the apostles, to the grief of the Sadducees among the Jews, to the scorn of the Gentile philosophers, and to the faith, hope, and comfort of Christians: this is the sum and substance of the word of faith, or doctrine of the Gospel, upon which the whole depends; see Rom 10:8 and the resurrection of the saints is connected with it, and assured by it. This indeed is the Gospel, good news, glad tidings that the bodies of the saints shall be raised again, and made like to the glorious body of Christ; and being reunited to their souls, shall live with him to all eternity; and were this out of the Gospel, it would not be Gospel, or good news; it would be an idle story, faith would be a vain thing, and hoping and believing Christians of all the most miserable. Moreover, says the apostle, the Gospel I declare, is which I preached unto you; meaning, when he first came among them, and which had been so very useful to them for conversion and consolation; and therefore if he himself, or an angel from heaven, was to preach any other doctrine, it was to be…
Open source ↗It is the apostle's business in this chapter to assert and establish the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, which some of the Corinthians flatly denied, Co1 15:12. Whether they turned this doctrine into allegory, as did Hymeneus and Philetus, by saying it was already past (Ti2 2:17, Ti2 2:18), and several of the ancient heretics, by making it mean no more than a changing of their course of life; or whether they rejected it as absurd, upon principles of reason and science; it seems they denied it in the proper sense. And they disowned a future state of recompences, by denying the resurrection of the dead. Now that heathens and infidels should deny this truth does not seem so strange; but that Christians, who had their religion by revelation, should deny a truth so plainly discovered is surprising, especially when it is a truth of such importance. It was time for the apostle to confirm them in this truth, when the staggering of their faith in this point was likely to shake their Christianity; and they were yet in great danger of having their faith staggered. He begins with an epitome or summary of the gospel, what he had preached among them, namely, the death and resurrection of Christ. Upon this foundation the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead is built. Note, Divine truths appear with greatest evidence when they are looked upon in their mutual connection. The foundation may be strengthened, that the superstructure may be secured. Now concerning the gospel observe, I. What a stress he lays upon it (Co1 15:1, Co1 15:2): Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached to you. 1. It was what he constantly preached. His word was not yea and nay: he always preached the same gospel, and taught the same truth. He could appeal to his hearers for t…
Open source ↗15:1-58 Some people in the church had doubts about a future resurrection of the dead. Paul reassures them and, perhaps in response to their skeptical questions, discusses the nature of a resurrection body. 15:1-11 Paul summarizes the Good News that he preached. 15:1 At the heart of the Good News stands the message of the atoning death and resurrection of Christ (see 15:3-4; Rom 5:8-10; 6:5-11).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) γνωρίζω (gnōrízō, G1107) — to make known; subjectively, to know ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you εὐαγγέλιον (euangélion, G2098) — a good message, i.e. the gospel ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that εὐαγγελίζω (euangelízō, G2097) — to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… παραλαμβάνω (paralambánō, G3880) — to receive near, i.e. associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἵστημι (hístēmi, G2476) — to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or…
Open source ↗διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… σώζω (sṓzō, G4982) — to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally or figuratively) εἰ (ei, G1487) — if, whether, that, etc. κατέχω (katéchō, G2722) — to hold down (fast), in various applications (literally or figuratively) τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… εὐαγγελίζω (euangelízō, G2097) — to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you ἐκτός (ektós, G1622) — the exterior; figuratively (as a preposition) aside from, besides εἰ μή (ei mḗ, G1508) — if not πιστεύω (pisteúō, G4100) — to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by… εἰκῆ (eikē, G1500) — idly, i.e. without reason (or effect)
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… παραδίδωμι (paradídōmi, G3860) — to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. πρῶτος (prōtos, G4413) — foremost (in time, place, order or importance) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that παραλαμβάνω (paralambánō, G3880) — to receive near, i.e. associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus ἀποθνήσκω (apothnḗskō, G599) — to die off (literally or figuratively) ὑπέρ (hypér, G5228) — "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the… ἡμῶν (hēmōn, G2257) — of (or from) us ἁμαρτία (hamartía, G266) — a sin (properly abstract)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because θάπτω (tháptō, G2290) — to celebrate funeral rites, i.e. inter ἐγείρω (egeírō, G1453) — to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e. rouse (literally, from sleep, from… τρίτος (trítos, G5154) — third; neuter (as noun) a third part, or (as adverb) a (or the) third time, thirdly ἡμέρα (hēméra, G2250) — day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but… κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… γραφή (graphḗ, G1124) — a document, i.e. holy Writ (or its contents or a statement in it)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ὀπτάνομαι (optánomai, G3700) — to gaze (i.e. with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from… Κηφᾶς (Kēphâs, G2786) — the Rock; Cephas (i.e. Kepha), a surname of Peter εἶτα (eîta, G1534) — a particle of succession (in time or logical enumeration), then, moreover δώδεκα (dṓdeka, G1427) — two and ten, i.e. a dozen
Open source ↗ἔπειτα (épeita, G1899) — thereafter ὀπτάνομαι (optánomai, G3700) — to gaze (i.e. with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from… ἐπάνω (epánō, G1883) — up above, i.e. over or on (of place, amount, rank, etc.) πεντακόσιοι (pentakósioi, G4001) — five hundred ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) ἐφάπαξ (ephápax, G2178) — upon one occasion (only) ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that πλείων (pleíōn, G4119) — more in quantity, number, or quality; also (in plural) the major portion μένω (ménō, G3306) — to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy) ἕως (héōs, G2193) — a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place) ἄρτι (árti, G737) — just now δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object
Open source ↗ἔπειτα (épeita, G1899) — thereafter ὀπτάνομαι (optánomai, G3700) — to gaze (i.e. with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from… Ἰάκωβος (Iákōbos, G2385) — Jacobus, the name of three Israelites εἶτα (eîta, G1534) — a particle of succession (in time or logical enumeration), then, moreover πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ἀπόστολος (apóstolos, G652) — a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἔσχατος (éschatos, G2078) — farthest, final (of place or time) πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ὀπτάνομαι (optánomai, G3700) — to gaze (i.e. with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from… κἀγώ (kagṓ, G2504) — so also the dative case , and accusative case and (or also, even, etc.) I, (to) me ὡσπερεί (hōspereí, G5619) — just as if, i.e. as it were ἔκτρωμα (éktrōma, G1626) — a miscarriage (abortion), i.e. (by analogy) untimely birth
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἐγώ (egṓ, G1473) εἰμί (eimí, G1510) — I exist (used only when emphatic) ἐλάχιστος (eláchistos, G1646) — used as equivalent to G3398 (μικρός); least (in size, amount, dignity, etc.) ἀπόστολος (apóstolos, G652) — a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ… ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἱκανός (hikanós, G2425) — competent (as if coming in season), i.e. ample (in amount) or fit (in character) καλέω (kaléō, G2564) — to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise) διότι (dióti, G1360) — on the very account that, or inasmuch as διώκω (diṓkō, G1377) — compare the base of G1169 (δειλός) and G1249 (διάκονος)); to pursue (literally or… ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía, G1577) — a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. χάρις (cháris, G5485) — graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very εἰμί (eimí, G1510) — I exist (used only when emphatic) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ἐμέ (emé, G1691) — me γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not κενός (kenós, G2756) — empty (literally or figuratively) ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) κοπιάω (kopiáō, G2872) — to feel fatigue; by implication, to work hard
Open source ↗οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly εἴτε (eíte, G1535) — if too ἐγώ (egṓ, G1473) ἐκεῖνος (ekeînos, G1565) — that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed οὕτω (hoútō, G3779) — in this way (referring to what precedes or follows) κηρύσσω (kērýssō, G2784) — to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πιστεύω (pisteúō, G4100) — to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. εἰ (ei, G1487) — if, whether, that, etc. Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus κηρύσσω (kērýssō, G2784) — to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel) ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ἐγείρω (egeírō, G1453) — to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e. rouse (literally, from sleep, from… ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) νεκρός (nekrós, G3498) — dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun) πῶς (pōs, G4459) — an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect,… λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. εἰ (ei, G1487) — if, whether, that, etc. ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἀνάστασις (anástasis, G386) — a standing up again, i.e. (literally) a resurrection from death (individual, genitive… νεκρός (nekrós, G3498) — dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun) οὐδέ (oudé, G3761) — not however, i.e. neither, nor, not even ἐγείρω (egeírō, G1453) — to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e. rouse (literally, from sleep, from… Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. εἰ (ei, G1487) — if, whether, that, etc. Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus ἐγείρω (egeírō, G1453) — to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e. rouse (literally, from sleep, from… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἄρα (ára, G686) — a particle denoting an inference more or less decisive (as follows) ἡμῶν (hēmōn, G2257) — of (or from) us κήρυγμα (kḗrygma, G2782) — a proclamation (especially of the gospel; by implication, the gospel itself) κενός (kenós, G2756) — empty (literally or figuratively) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you πίστις (pístis, G4102) — persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Not that we lord it over your faith, but we are fellow workers with you for your joy, because it is by faith that you stand firm.
Through Silvanus, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life that is not in keeping with the tradition you received from us.
Finally, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to live in a way that is pleasing to God, just as you have received from us. This is how you already live, so you should do so all the more.
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord when you welcomed the message with the joy of the Holy Spirit, in spite of your great suffering.
And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as the true word of God—the word which is now at work in you who believe.
There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not receive My words: The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.
The apostles and brothers throughout Judea soon heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.
through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.