*1 Corinthians 15:1-20
Paul argues that the resurrection of Christ is essential to the Christian faith and offers hope for believers in life after death.
- Affirmation of the Gospel:
- Paul reminds the Corinthians of the gospel he preached to them, which they received and on which they have taken their stand.
- He emphasizes that this gospel is crucial for their salvation, provided they hold firmly to the word preached to them.
- The Core of the Gospel:
- He succinctly states the gospel message: Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and was raised on the third day, also according to the Scriptures.
- Paul underlines that these events fulfilled the prophecies and were planned and foreseen in the Jewish Scriptures.
- Witnesses of the Resurrection:
- He lists the witnesses to Christ’s resurrection, beginning with Cephas (Peter), then the Twelve apostles.
- After that, Christ appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at once, most of whom were still alive and could corroborate the story.
- Paul also notes appearances to James, then to all the apostles, and lastly, to Paul himself, as one abnormally born.
- Importance of the Resurrection:
- Paul discusses the importance of the resurrection in Christian theology, arguing that if Christ has not been raised, then their preaching and faith are in vain.
- He warns that if Christ has not been raised, then their faith is futile, and they are still in their sins.
- Moreover, those who have died in Christ have perished if there is no resurrection.
- Reality of the Resurrection:
- Paul reaffirms the reality of the resurrection of Christ, declaring that Christ indeed has been raised from the dead.
- He positions Christ’s resurrection as the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep, indicating that just as Christ was raised, so too will all believers be raised.
1 Corinthians 15:1-20 reminds us that Jesus’ resurrection is the foundation of our faith. Because He rose from the dead, we can have hope that God’s promises are true and that we, too, will have eternal life with Him. This teaches us to stand firm in our faith, even when we face doubts or difficulties. We can apply this by trusting in Jesus every day, sharing the good news with others, and living with confidence, knowing that our hope in Him will never fail.
1 Corinthians 15:1-20 (WEB)
15:1 Now I declare to you, brothers, the Good News which I preached to you, which also you received, in which you also stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all, as to the child born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, who is not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the assembly of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am. His grace which was given to me was not futile, but I worked more than all of them; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 Whether then it is I or they, so we preach, and so you believed.12 Now if Christ is preached, that he has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ been raised. 14 If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith also is in vain. 15 Yes, we are also found false witnesses of God, because we testified about God that he raised up Christ, whom he didn’t raise up if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead aren’t raised, neither has Christ been raised. 17 If Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. 18 Then they also who are fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable.20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruit of those who are asleep.