1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed. (1 Corinthians 15:1-11 KJV)
The Resurrection of Christ
In this chapter, the apostle establishes the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, which some of the Corinthians denied (1 Corinthians 15:12). Whether they interpreted it allegorically, as Hymeneus and Philetus did by saying it was already past (2 Timothy 2:17-18), or rejected it as unreasonable, they denied it in its proper sense. In doing so, they rejected the future state of reward and punishment. That unbelievers should deny this truth is not surprising, but that Christians, who received their faith by divine revelation, should deny a truth so clearly revealed is astonishing—especially one so essential to the faith. It was necessary for the apostle to confirm them in this doctrine, since their wavering on this point could shake their entire faith.
He begins with a summary of the gospel he had preached among them—the death and resurrection of Christ—upon which the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead is built. Divine truths are most clearly understood when seen in their proper connection, for the foundation strengthens the structure.
Paul emphasizes the importance of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-2): “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you.”
It was the same gospel he always preached. His message was consistent, for divine truth is unchanging. The doctrine Paul had once taught, he still taught. It was also the message they had received, believed, and professed. It was the gospel in which they stood and by which they must continue to stand. If they gave up this truth, they would have no foundation for their faith. The death and resurrection of Christ are the foundation of Christianity. Remove this foundation, and the entire structure collapses. By holding firmly to this truth, Christians are kept faithful to God.
It was also the only doctrine by which they could hope for salvation (1 Corinthians 15:2), for there is no salvation in any other name but Christ (Acts 4:12). Salvation through His name presupposes His death and resurrection. These are the saving truths of our faith—the crucifixion and the triumph over death from which all our hope springs.
These truths must be held firmly in mind (Hebrews 10:23): “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith.” The saving truths of the gospel must be fixed in our hearts, kept before our minds, and held to the end, for only those who endure to the end will be saved (Matthew 10:22). We believe in vain unless we persevere in the faith of the gospel, for a temporary faith will not save us. To profess Christianity while denying the resurrection is to destroy its foundation, for to deny the resurrection of believers is to deny that of Christ Himself.
The gospel Paul preached was the same message he had received and delivered to them as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again (Romans 4:25). He was offered for our sins and rose again to show that forgiveness had been secured and accepted by God. Christ’s death and resurrection are the very substance of the gospel. From them we draw spiritual life now and hope for eternal life hereafter.
This truth is confirmed first by Old Testament prophecy: “He died for our sins according to the Scriptures… and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Such prophecies include Psalm 16:10, Isaiah 53:4-6, Daniel 9:26-27, and Hosea 6:2. Scripture types like Jonah (Matthew 12:40) and Isaac (Hebrews 11:19) also foreshadowed this. Seeing how the gospel fulfills ancient types and prophecies strengthens our faith.
It is also confirmed by many eyewitnesses who saw Christ after His resurrection. He appeared to Peter, then to the twelve, then to over five hundred brethren at once—most of whom were still alive when Paul wrote (1 Corinthians 15:5-6; Matthew 28:10). He was seen by James, then by all the apostles at His ascension (Luke 24:50; Acts 1:2-9). Finally, He appeared to Paul himself (Acts 9:17). The resurrection was undeniably proven by many witnesses who saw, touched, and conversed with the risen Lord. Their steadfast testimony, even at the cost of their lives, confirms its truth.
Paul adds that he was “one born out of due time” (1 Corinthians 15:8). He compares himself to an untimely birth, because he was suddenly called and converted long after the other apostles had walked with Christ. This was a humbling thought for him. He also calls himself “the least of the apostles, not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God” (1 Corinthians 15:9). Though he was not inferior in gifts or labors to the greatest apostles (2 Corinthians 11:5), his former persecution of the church made him think humbly of himself. A humble spirit, even amid great accomplishments, is a great virtue. God often uses the memory of past sins to make His servants humble, diligent, and faithful.
Paul ascribes all that he was to divine grace: “But by the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10). All that is good in us is from God’s grace. Paul acknowledged this with humility and gratitude. Though he could say he labored more abundantly than all the others, he adds, “Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” Those who receive God’s grace should ensure it is not in vain by exercising and living by it. Paul did so, laboring earnestly and successfully. The more he labored, the more humble he became, giving all glory to God’s free and undeserved favor. A humble spirit magnifies the grace of God, and where pride is subdued, grace reigns.
After this reflection, the apostle concludes (1 Corinthians 15:11) that he and all the apostles preached the same gospel: “Whether it was I or they, so we preach, and so you believed.” All proclaimed the same message—that Jesus Christ was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead—and all Christians believe this same truth. By this faith they live, and in this faith they die.