FocusDeath, resurrection, and witnesses
Connection to the wholePaul recalls the gospel the Corinthians received and the witnesses to Jesus' resurrection, establishing the basis of his argument.
interpretation 1 Corinthians 15:1
KJVMoreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
Read it in context
The Resurrection of Christ and Believers
Start reading at 1 Corinthians 15:1 (1 Corinthians 15:1 to 1 Corinthians 15:58).
The entire chapter 15 is dedicated to the doctrine of the resurrection, beginning with this verse.
- 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
- 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
- 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
- 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
- 15:5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
- 15:6 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.
- 15:7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
- 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
- 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
- 15:10 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.
- 15:11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
- 15:12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
- 15:13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
- 15:14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
- 15:15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
- 15:16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
- 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
- 15:18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
- 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
- 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
- 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
- 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
- 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
- 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
- 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
- 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
- 15:27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
- 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
- 15:29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
- 15:30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?
- 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our LORD, I die daily.
- 15:32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
- 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
- 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
- 15:35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
- 15:36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
- 15:37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
- 15:38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.
- 15:39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.
- 15:40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
- 15:41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
- 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
- 15:43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
- 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
- 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
- 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
- 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
- 15:48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
- 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
- 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
- 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
- 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
- 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
- 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
- 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
- 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
- 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
- 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Paul the apostle is the principal author; Sosthenes is named with him in the greeting. Biblical references: 1 Corinthians 1:1. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (1 Corinthians 15:1–15:58): Paul addresses Corinthians among whom some deny resurrection, recalling witnesses to Jesus' resurrection and explaining its significance. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The church of God at Corinth, with all who call on Jesus Christ as Lord. Paul addresses an existing congregation, including members with a Gentile past. Biblical references: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 12:2. stated in the text
What
- What is the main event or theme? Paul is declaring the gospel to the Corinthian believers, reminding them of what they received and wherein they stand. The core elements of this gospel, as elaborated in the surrounding verses, include Christ's death for our sins, His burial, and His resurrection on the third day according to the scriptures. stated in the text
- What is God revealing? God is revealing the foundational truths of the gospel, specifically the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, which are essential for salvation and the believer's standing. stated in the text
- What is the literary style? Epistle (a letter from Paul to the church at Corinth). book background
When
- When was it written? Approximately A.D. 55. book background
- When does the event take place? The letter was written around A.D. 55. The events of the gospel, which Paul is declaring, refer to Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, which occurred decades earlier. Paul's initial preaching of this gospel to the Corinthians happened prior to the writing of this letter. book background
Where
- Where did it happen? Paul previously preached the gospel in Corinth. The letter itself was written from Ephesus. book background
- Where was the author located? Ephesus. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The Resurrection of Christ and Believers (1 Corinthians 15:1 to 1 Corinthians 15:58). Start reading at 1 Corinthians 15:1. The entire chapter 15 is dedicated to the doctrine of the resurrection, beginning with this verse.
How
- How does it fit the broader context? This verse serves as an introduction to Paul's extensive discourse on the resurrection of Christ and the resurrection of believers, which is the primary subject of 1 Corinthians chapter 15. Paul reminds the Corinthians of the foundational gospel message they had already received and believed, setting the stage for his defense of the resurrection against those who questioned it. stated in the text
- How does it point to Christ? The verse directly points to Christ by declaring 'the gospel,' which the subsequent verses define as Christ's death for our sins, His burial, and His resurrection on the third day according to the scriptures. Christ's resurrection is the central truth of this gospel, upon which the believers' salvation and standing are based. stated in the text
- How do I apply it today? Believers today are called to continually remember and stand firm in the gospel message, which centers on Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. This foundational truth is the basis of our salvation and provides assurance and hope, just as it did for the Corinthian believers. interpretation
Cited: 1 Corinthians 15:1, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 1 Corinthians 15:5-8, 1 Corinthians 15:1-2, 1 Corinthians 15:12
Who wrote it, and how we know
Paul the apostle
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysPaul names himself in the opening verse.
1 Corinthians 1:1
Early traditionUniform tradition names Paul.
Related passages
- I declare 1 Cor 15:3-11 1 Cor 1:23-24 1 Cor 2:2-7 Acts 18:4-5 Gal 1:6-12
- which also 1 Cor 1:4-8 Mark 4:16-20 John 12:48 Acts 2:41 Acts 11:1 1 Thess 1:6 1 Thess 2:13 1 Thess 4:1
- ye stand Rom 5:2 2 Cor 1:24 1 Pet 5:12
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
1 Corinthians 15
Paul addresses the church of God at Corinth, described as sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be saints. He corrects divisions, conduct, and worship within that church; promises about gifts and identity do not cancel his warnings or commands.
1 Corinthians 1:1 1 Corinthians 1:2 1 Corinthians 6:11
If the dead do not rise
1 Corinthians 15:12–34FocusThe consequences of denial
Connection to the wholePaul exposes what denial of resurrection would do to the gospel and hope, then relates Christ's resurrection to the future of those who are His.
interpretation The resurrection body
1 Corinthians 15:35–49FocusSowing and transformation
Connection to the wholePaul answers questions about the body through images of seed and differing glory, distinguishing present corruptibility from the resurrection life.
interpretation Victory and steadfast labour
1 Corinthians 15:50–58FocusMortality swallowed up
Connection to the wholeThe final transformation and victory over death lead directly to the call to remain steadfast in the Lord's work.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
1 Corinthians
Paul addresses the church of God at Corinth, described as sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be saints. He corrects divisions, conduct, and worship within that church; promises about gifts and identity do not cancel his warnings or commands.
1 Corinthians 1:1 1 Corinthians 1:2 1 Corinthians 6:11
Divisions and God's wisdom
1 Corinthians 1:1–4:21FocusThe cross and faithful ministry
Connection to the wholePaul confronts party loyalty by directing the church to Christ crucified and by redefining ministers as servants accountable to God.
interpretation The church's conduct
1 Corinthians 5:1–6:20FocusDiscipline, disputes, and the body
Connection to the wholeCases of immorality and litigation expose conduct inconsistent with the church's calling and the readers' belonging to Christ.
interpretation Questions about marriage
1 Corinthians 7:1–40FocusFaithfulness within one's calling
Connection to the wholePaul answers questions about marriage and differing circumstances, distinguishing commands, permission, and his judgments within the discussion.
interpretation Liberty and responsibility
1 Corinthians 8:1–11:1FocusIdolatry, conscience, and others' good
Connection to the wholeQuestions about idol food lead through Paul's own example to warnings from Israel and the command to flee idolatry while seeking others' benefit.
interpretation Order in the assembly
1 Corinthians 11:2–14:40FocusHonour, the supper, love, and gifts
Connection to the wholePaul corrects gathered conduct and the use of spiritual gifts, making love and the church's edification central.
interpretation FocusChrist raised and believers' hope
Connection to the wholePaul answers denial of resurrection by joining the risen Christ with the future resurrection and transformation of those who belong to Him.
interpretation Collection and closing directions
1 Corinthians 16:1–24FocusShared service and steadfast love
Connection to the wholePractical arrangements, commendations, and final exhortations connect the corrected church with the wider fellowship of believers.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.