1 Corinthians 15:3–4: Edit history

Revision #12789

1 Corinthians 15:3–4

Localized for English-speaking readers (msgbatch_01GvFKF6zaroxwZ2RCatyoPp)

Status: approved

Changes from the previous English revision

= ## Context

- Some in the Corinthian church were saying that "there is no resurrection of the dead" (v. 12). Paul offers an extended defense of the resurrection in chapter 15, and he begins by reminding his readers of the gospel he had preached to them. He says that he himself had "received" this message. Verses 3–4 are followed by a list of those to whom the risen Christ appeared: Cephas, the Twelve, more than five hundred brethren, James, all the apostles, and finally Paul himself (vv. 5–8).

+ Some members of the Corinthian church were saying "that there is no resurrection of the dead" (v. 12). In chapter 15, Paul offers an extended defense of the resurrection. He begins by reminding his readers of the gospel he had preached to them, and he says that he himself had "received" this message. Verses 3–4 are followed by a list of those to whom the risen Christ appeared: Cephas, the Twelve, more than five hundred brethren, James, all the apostles, and finally Paul himself (vv. 5–8).

= ## Interpretation

- - **As early church tradition**: Some have noted that the expression "I delivered unto you… that which I also received" resembles the language used in Jewish tradition for handing down teaching. Many scholars regard verses 3–5 as a short confession that existed in the church before Paul, dating to an early period within a few years of Christ's death and resurrection. Scholars differ on how early to date it.

- - **The meaning of "according to the scriptures"**: The phrase "according to the scriptures," which appears twice, refers to the Old Testament. Some interpreters point to Isaiah 53 for the death and to Hosea 6:2 or the story of Jonah for the resurrection on the third day, but it cannot be known whether Paul had specific passages in mind.

+ - **As early church tradition**: Some have noted that the expression "I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received" resembles the language used in Jewish tradition for handing down teaching. Many scholars regard verses 3–5 as a short confession that existed in the church before Paul, dating to within a few years of Christ's death and resurrection. Scholars differ on how early to date it.

+ - **The meaning of "according to the scriptures"**: The phrase "according to the scriptures," which appears twice, refers to the Old Testament. Some interpreters point to Isaiah 53 for the death and to Hosea 6:2 or the story of Jonah for the resurrection on the third day, but whether Paul had specific passages in mind cannot be known.

= - **As the framework of the gospel**: The four elements of death, burial, resurrection, and appearances are seen as forming the framework of the christological sections of later creeds, including the Apostles' Creed.

= ## Questions of Application

- The phrase "for our sins" is cited as a key text for substitutionary atonement. Some liberal theologians interpret the resurrection as the disciples' experience of faith, but most denominations, citing the reference to the burial and the list of witnesses, confess the bodily resurrection as a historical event.

+ The phrase "for our sins" is cited as a key text for substitutionary atonement. Some liberal theologians interpret the resurrection as the disciples' experience of faith, but most denominations, pointing to the reference to the burial and to the list of witnesses, confess the bodily resurrection as a historical event.

- ## In the Korean Church

- The passage is frequently used to summarize the core of the gospel in Easter sermons, joint Easter services, and evangelism training.

+ ## In Korean Churches

+ In Korean Protestant churches, the passage is frequently used to summarize the core of the gospel in Easter sermons, in joint Easter services, and in evangelism training.

= ## Related Passages

…

A summary of the gospel stating that Christ died for our sins "according to the scriptures," was buried, and rose again the third day. The passage is regarded as containing one of the earliest forms of Christian confession in the New Testament and is a central basis of faith in the resurrection.
A summary of the gospel stating that Christ died for our sins "according to the scriptures," was buried, and rose again the third day. The passage is regarded as preserving one of the earliest forms of Christian confession in the New Testament and is a central basis of faith in the resurrection.

Full revision

A summary of the gospel stating that Christ died for our sins "according to the scriptures," was buried, and rose again the third day. The passage is regarded as preserving one of the earliest forms of Christian confession in the New Testament and is a central basis of faith in the resurrection.

Context

Some members of the Corinthian church were saying "that there is no resurrection of the dead" (v. 12). In chapter 15, Paul offers an extended defense of the resurrection. He begins by reminding his readers of the gospel he had preached to them, and he says that he himself had "received" this message. Verses 3–4 are followed by a list of those to whom the risen Christ appeared: Cephas, the Twelve, more than five hundred brethren, James, all the apostles, and finally Paul himself (vv. 5–8).

Interpretation

As early church tradition: Some have noted that the expression "I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received" resembles the language used in Jewish tradition for handing down teaching. Many scholars regard verses 3–5 as a short confession that existed in the church before Paul, dating to within a few years of Christ's death and resurrection. Scholars differ on how early to date it.
The meaning of "according to the scriptures": The phrase "according to the scriptures," which appears twice, refers to the Old Testament. Some interpreters point to Isaiah 53 for the death and to Hosea 6:2 or the story of Jonah for the resurrection on the third day, but whether Paul had specific passages in mind cannot be known.
As the framework of the gospel: The four elements of death, burial, resurrection, and appearances are seen as forming the framework of the christological sections of later creeds, including the Apostles' Creed.

Questions of Application

The phrase "for our sins" is cited as a key text for substitutionary atonement. Some liberal theologians interpret the resurrection as the disciples' experience of faith, but most denominations, pointing to the reference to the burial and to the list of witnesses, confess the bodily resurrection as a historical event.

In Korean Churches

In Korean Protestant churches, the passage is frequently used to summarize the core of the gospel in Easter sermons, in joint Easter services, and in evangelism training.

Related Passages

Isaiah 53:5–6
1 Corinthians 15:12–20
Romans 4:25
Luke 24:44–46

Revision	Time (UTC)	Contributor	Summary	Status
#12789	2026-11-05 01:48:32	AI localization	Localized for English-speaking readers (msgbatch_01GvFKF6zaroxwZ2RCatyoPp)	approved
#12788	2026-11-05 01:48:32	AI translation	English baseline before localization (msgbatch_01GvFKF6zaroxwZ2RCatyoPp)	approved