1 Corinthian (Class Version)

Chapter 15

5th main teaching – resurrection

1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.

2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance [] : 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 Peter, [] and then to the Twelve.

6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.

7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,

8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve 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 to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

11 Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.

What's the subject of this segment?

The gospel that Paul had preached to the Corinthians, and which they had believed – a reminder with an emphasis on the resurrection

In the next segment we find out why Paul is giving them this reminder

How does Paul know this message?

He "received" it – he wants the reader to know that he didn't make it up – no part of the gospel is his invention – it is what Jesus taught him

What "Scriptures" is Paul referring to?

The Old Testament – which gave pictures and prophecies about what Jesus would do

Paul says this ("according to the Scriptures") because he wants the reader to know that, again, the plan is from God and is, therefore, an eternal plan

What evidence does Paul provide that supports the truth of the resurrection of Christ?

He says that Jesus appeared to Peter, whom the Corinthians know – so he is a reliable source, and they could talk to him about it next time he's in town

Also the rest of the apostles saw him

Then he appeared to more than 500 people at the same time – this is a good amount of people, and there is always a stronger testimony in numbers

Also, most of them were still living – so if they really wanted they could try to get into contact with some of these people to hear what they have to say

Notice that he specifically names James, the half brother of Jesus, whom they would have known as the leader of the church in Jerusalem – this is because when Jesus was alive James did not believe, but after James saw Jesus risen from the dead he was easily convinced

What is Paul describing in v.9-10? How does this fit the context?

He's describing himself as an apostle and the grace that he has received from God to serve Him as an apostle

It fits the context because Paul is trying to remind them of the gospel message, but they have been doubting his authority and credentials (even slandering him)