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The Resurrection of Christ
Paul reminds the Corinthians of the good news he preached: Christ died for sins, was buried, was raised, and appeared to many witnesses. He also explains why this message still matters for those who believed it.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This part of 1 Corinthians is written as letter and teaching. Paul speaks directly to the believers about the good news they received and in which they stand. He sets out the message he delivered, lists witnesses to the risen Christ, and explains his own place in that same message.
1 Corinthians 15:1–11Main takeaway
Paul teaches that the gospel he preached centres on Christ’s death for sins, burial, resurrection, and witnessed appearances, and that believers are to hold firmly to this message.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01The good news they receivedPaul begins by declaring the good news he had preached. The Corinthians had received it, and they now stand in it.
Explanation
Paul begins by declaring the good news he had preached. The Corinthians had received it, and they now stand in it. He adds that by this good news they are saved, if they hold firmly to the word he preached. This stresses both receiving and continuing in the message.
02The central message of the gospelPaul says he delivered what he had also received, and he gives its main points in order. Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.
Explanation
Paul says he delivered what he had also received, and he gives its main points in order. Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. Burial confirms death, and raising shows he did not remain in the grave.
03Many witnesses saw the risen ChristPaul lists appearances of the risen Christ to Cephas, then to the twelve, then to more than five hundred brothers at once, then to James, and then to all the apostles.
Explanation
Paul lists appearances of the risen Christ to Cephas, then to the twelve, then to more than five hundred brothers at once, then to James, and then to all the apostles. He notes that most of the five hundred were still alive, while some had fallen asleep, meaning they had died.
04Paul’s own witness and God’s gracePaul says Christ appeared to him also, though he calls himself like a child born at the wrong time.
Explanation
Paul says Christ appeared to him also, though he calls himself like a child born at the wrong time. He says he is the least of the apostles because he persecuted God’s assembly. Yet he insists that God’s grace made him what he is, and that grace was not futile.
05One shared preaching, one believed messagePaul ends by drawing his readers back to agreement. Whether the preaching came from Paul or from the other witnesses, the message was the same.
Explanation
Paul ends by drawing his readers back to agreement. Whether the preaching came from Paul or from the other witnesses, the message was the same. He says, “so we preach, and so you believed”, showing that the Corinthians’ faith matched the shared apostolic proclamation he has just summarised.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What are the main parts of the good news Paul says he delivered first of all?
List the points Paul names in order: Christ died for our sins, was buried, was raised on the third day, and appeared to witnesses.
02Why does Paul include a list of people who saw the risen Christ?
Look at how Paul names specific individuals and groups, including many brothers, to show that the resurrection message was tied to witnesses.
03How does Paul describe his own place in this message?
Notice both parts of his description: he remembers persecuting the assembly, and he says God’s grace made him what he is.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 Corinthians 15:1–11
1Now I declare to you, brothers, the Good News which I preached to you, which also you received, in which you also stand,
2by which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
3For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
5and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
6Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep.
7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,
8and last of all, as to the child born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also.
9For I am the least of the apostles, who is not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the assembly of God.
10But 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.
11Whether then it is I or they, so we preach, and so you believed.