1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Meaning
In 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, the apostle Paul reminds the Corinthian Christians of the gospel message that he had preached to them. This passage serves as a foundational summary of the Christian faith, highlighting the importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Verse 1-2
Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
In these verses, Paul emphasizes the significance of the gospel message that he had preached to the Corinthians. The phrase "I want to remind you" (Greek: εیدهσυ) suggests that Paul is about to reiterate a crucial aspect of the Christian faith that the Corinthians may have forgotten or neglected. The gospel message is the foundation of the Christian faith, and it is the means by which believers are saved.
Verse 3
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
In this verse, Paul highlights the central theme of the gospel message: the death of Jesus Christ for our sins. The phrase "of first importance" (Greek: ἐν πρώτοις) emphasizes the primacy of this message. The death of Christ is not just a peripheral aspect of the Christian faith; rather, it is the cornerstone of the gospel. Paul asserts that Christ's death was "according to the Scriptures," indicating that Jesus' sacrifice was prophesied and fulfilled in the Old Testament.
Verse 4
that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
This verse continues to emphasize the importance of Jesus' death and resurrection. The phrase "he was buried" underscores the reality of Jesus' death, while "he was raised on the third day" affirms the miraculous nature of his resurrection. The phrase "according to the Scriptures" again emphasizes that Jesus' resurrection was prophesied and fulfilled in the Old Testament.
Conclusion
In 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Paul reminds the Corinthian Christians of the fundamental aspects of the gospel message: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. These verses serve as a powerful summary of the Christian faith, emphasizing the importance of Christ's sacrifice and resurrection for the salvation of believers. As Paul concludes, "By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you" (1 Corinthians 15:2).
