1 Corinthians 15:1 - Meaning and Application

The apostle’s work in this chapter is to defend and prove the resurrection of the dead, which some Corinthians plainly denied (1 Corinthians 15:12). Whether they turned this truth into an allegory, as Hymenaeus and Philetus did by saying it had already happened (2 Timothy 2:17, 2 Timothy 2:18), or whether they rejected it as unreasonable on the grounds of human wisdom, they denied the real doctrine. By denying the resurrection, they also denied a future judgment and reward.

It is not surprising when heathens and unbelievers deny this truth, but it is shocking when Christians do so. They had received their religion by revelation, and this truth was clearly taught. Paul now had to strengthen them in it, because wavering here could shake their whole faith. They were still in danger of being unsettled.

He begins with a short summary of the gospel he had preached to them, the death and resurrection of Christ. The doctrine of the resurrection of the dead rests on that foundation. Divine truths are seen most clearly when we understand how they connect with one another. The foundation can be made firm so that the building stands secure.

Paul puts great weight on this gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1, 1 Corinthians 15:2. “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached to you.” First, this was what he preached all along. His message was not uncertain or changing, and he always taught the same gospel. The truth itself does not change, and God’s true teachers do not contradict themselves or each other.

Second, this was the gospel they had already received. They had believed it, or at least professed to believe it. It was not strange teaching. It was the gospel in which they had stood, and still had to stand. If they gave up this truth, they would have no ground left in religion. The death and resurrection of Christ stand at the center of Christianity. Remove that foundation, and the whole structure falls.

Third, this gospel was the only way they could hope for salvation (1 Corinthians 15:2). There is no salvation in any other name, only in Christ. And there is no salvation in his name apart from his death and resurrection. These are the saving truths of our faith. Christ’s crucifixion and victory over death are the source of our spiritual life and our hope.

Because of this, these truths must stay in our minds. We must hold them firmly, remember them often, and keep them to the end. They will not save us if we ignore them or refuse their power. Only the one who endures to the end will be saved (Matthew 10:22). A short-lived faith does no good. In fact, it makes guilt greater if a person falls back into unbelief. It is pointless to claim faith in Christ while denying the resurrection, because that would also deny his resurrection. Without that truth, Christianity loses its meaning, and faith and hope have nothing left to rest on.

Paul now explains what this gospel is, the doctrine he had first delivered to them. It was a truth of the highest importance: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again. In other words, he was handed over because of our sins, and raised for our justification, meaning our being counted right with God (Romans 4:25). He was offered as a sacrifice for our sins, and he rose to show that forgiveness had been obtained and that God had accepted the sacrifice.

Christ’s death and resurrection are the heart of the gospel. From them we receive spiritual life now, and from them we build our hope of eternal life later. Paul then shows how this truth was confirmed. First, it was according to the Scriptures, both in prophecy and in types, or earlier patterns that pointed forward to Christ. He names prophecies such as Psalm 16:10, Isaiah 53:4-6, Daniel 9:26, Daniel 9:27, and Hosea 6:2. He also refers to types like Jonah (Matthew 12:4) and Isaac, who is said to have been received back from the dead in a picture of what was to come (Hebrews 11:19). It strengthens faith to see how the gospel matches the older Scriptures.

Second, Christ’s resurrection was confirmed by many eyewitnesses who saw him alive after he rose from the dead. Paul lists several appearances, besides the one to himself. He was seen by Cephas, or Peter, then by the twelve, meaning the apostles as a group even though Judas was gone. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, many of whom were still alive when Paul wrote, though some had died. This happened in Galilee (Matthew 28:10). Later he appeared to James by himself, and then to all the apostles when he was taken up into heaven, on the Mount of Olives (Luke 24:50; Acts 1:2, Acts 1:5-7).

How strong the proof was that Christ had risen from the dead, when so many saw him at different times, alive again! He even met the weakness of one disciple by allowing him to handle him, so there would be no doubt. We also have every reason to trust these witnesses, because they stood firmly for this truth even though it cost them dearly in this world.

Paul himself was the last to be given this sight of Christ. One part of an apostle’s work was to witness to the Savior’s resurrection (Luke 24:48). When Paul was called to that office, the Lord Jesus appeared to him on the way to Damascus (Acts 9:17). After mentioning this favor, Paul turns aside to speak humbly about himself. He had been greatly blessed by God, but he always tried to think modestly of himself and show that in his words.

Paul explains this by pointing out, first, that he was one born out of due time (1 Corinthians 15:8). The word suggests an untimely birth, something like a child born dead or too early. Paul felt that way because his call to the apostleship came suddenly, after the Lord’s earthly ministry was over. He had not walked with Jesus as the other apostles had, nor had he been trained in that close fellowship. To Paul, that was a deeply humbling thing.

He also lowers himself below the other apostles when he says he is not fit to be called an apostle. He was the last called to that office, and he remembers that he once persecuted the church of God (1 Corinthians 15:9). Elsewhere he says he was not behind the chief apostles in gifts, grace, service, or suffering (2 Corinthians 11:5). Still, these past sins made him think of himself as less worthy than the others. A humble spirit, even in someone with great gifts, is a beautiful thing. It makes those gifts shine more clearly.

What kept Paul especially low was the memory of his former evil, his violent zeal against Christ and his people. Here we see how easily God can bring good out of great evil. When God’s grace turns sinners into saints, even their past sins can help them stay humble, steady, and faithful.

Paul then gives all the good in his life to divine grace: “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10). Only God can say, “I am who I am,” in the fullest sense. Our own privilege is to say, “By God’s grace, we are what we are.” We are nothing in religion except what his grace makes us. All that is good in us flows from that one fountain.

Paul knew this well, and it kept him both humble and thankful. He also knew he had worked hard, with real zeal and service, so he could say that God’s grace to him was not wasted. He labored more than all the others, yet he still said, “Not I, but the grace of God that was with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10). Those who receive God’s grace should be careful not to let it be wasted. They should use it, stir it up, and live by it. Paul did, and that is why he labored with such strength and success.

The more he served, the more humble he became. The more good he did, the more he praised God’s free and undeserved favor. A humble heart is usually a gracious heart. Where pride is brought low, it is right to think grace is ruling.

After this side note, Paul returns to his main point. He says that he preached the same gospel everywhere, and so did all the apostles. Whether it was Peter, Paul, or any other apostle, they all taught the same truth, told the same story, and preached the same doctrine (1 Corinthians 15:11). They all agreed that Jesus Christ, crucified, buried, and risen from the dead, is the heart of Christianity. All true Christians believe this same message. The apostles were united in their witness, and Christians are united in their faith. By this faith they live, and in this faith they die.