The Gospel of Christ's Resurrection and Paul's Witness
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
1Cor.15.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Γνωριζω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- δε: CONJ
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- αδελφοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ευαγγελιον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ευηγγελισαμην: VERB,aor,mid,ind,1,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- παρελαβετε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- εν: PREP
- ω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- εστηκατε: VERB,perf,act,ind,2,pl
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 11:23 (verbal): Paul uses the same receive/hand on formula (παρέλαβον/παρέδωκα); both verses emphasize that he passed on a tradition he himself received.
- Galatians 1:11-12 (thematic): Paul insists the gospel he preached is not of human origin but received by revelation—parallel claim to the authority and origin of the gospel he previously proclaimed to the Corinthians.
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (structural): Immediate continuation: verses 3–4 give the core content of 'the gospel' Paul refers to in 15:1 (Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection), explaining what was received and on which they stand.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:5 (thematic): Describes how the gospel came to the Thessalonians and was received in power and conviction; parallels the motif of the community 'receiving' the apostolic gospel and being established by it.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now I make known to you, brothers, the gospel that I preached to you, which you received and in which you stand,
- Now I make known to you, brothers, the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand,
1Cor.15.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- δι᾽ου: PREP+REL,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- σωζεσθε: VERB,pres,pass,ind,2,pl
- τινι: PRON,dat,sg,neut
- λογω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ευηγγελισαμην: VERB,aor,mid,ind,1,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- κατεχετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- εκτος: PREP
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- μη: PART
- εικη: ADV
- επιστευσατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
Parallels
- Romans 1:16-17 (thematic): Frames the gospel as the means of salvation for those who believe, paralleling 1 Cor 15:2's claim that 'by which you are saved' contingent on holding the proclaimed word.
- Colossians 1:23 (verbal): Uses nearly identical conditional language—'if indeed you continue in the faith...not moved away from the hope of the gospel'—echoing 1 Cor 15:2's 'if you hold fast' requirement for salvation.
- Galatians 1:6-9 (allusion): Paul's warning against abandoning the gospel resonates with 1 Cor 15:2's implicit warning that salvation depends on retaining the true gospel he preached.
- Hebrews 3:14 (structural): Employs the same conditional structure ('if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm to the end') linking perseverance/holding fast to participation in Christ—parallel to 1 Cor 15:2's conditional salvation.
- Romans 10:9-10 (thematic): Connects confession and belief with salvation; like 1 Cor 15:2, it ties being saved to a proper and enduring response to the gospel message.
Alternative generated candidates
- by which you are being saved—if you hold firmly to the message I proclaimed to you; otherwise you have believed in vain.
- and by which you are being saved—if you hold fast to the message I proclaimed to you; unless you believed in vain.
1Cor.15.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Παρεδωκα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- γαρ: PART
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- εν: PREP
- πρωτοις: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- παρελαβον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- οτι: CONJ
- Χριστος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- απεθανεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- υπερ: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αμαρτιων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- κατα: PREP
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- γραφας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
Parallels
- Isaiah 53:5-6 (allusion): Proto‑Messianic prophecy describing the servant's suffering 'for our transgressions' and bearing sins—commonly cited as the OT background for 'Christ died for our sins.'
- Luke 24:46 (quotation): Jesus (and Luke) explicitly ties the Messiah's suffering and resurrection to what was 'written' in the Scriptures—paralleling Paul's phrase 'according to the Scriptures.'
- 1 Peter 3:18 (verbal): Uses near‑identical theological language: 'Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous,' echoing Paul's emphasis on Christ's vicarious death.
- Hebrews 9:28 (verbal): Speaks of Christ being 'offered once to bear the sins of many,' a closely related formulation of sacrificial atonement behind Paul's claim.
- Romans 5:8 (thematic): Affirms the same core theological point—that Christ died for us—supporting Paul's declaration about the death of Christ as foundational gospel content.
Alternative generated candidates
- For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
- For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,
1Cor.15.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- οτι: CONJ
- εταφη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- οτι: CONJ
- εγηγερται: VERB,perf,mid/pas,ind,3,sg
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- ημερα: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- τριτη: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- κατα: PREP
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- γραφας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
Parallels
- Mark 8:31 (verbal): Jesus predicts that he must suffer, be killed, and after three days rise again—direct verbal parallel to ‘raised on the third day.’
- Matthew 12:40 (allusion): Jesus’ Jonah analogy (‘three days and three nights in the belly of the fish’) is used as the typological precedent for being in the earth three days.
- Luke 24:46 (quotation): Jesus tells the disciples that ‘thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise again,’ closely matching Paul’s ‘according to the Scriptures’ formula.
- Hosea 6:2 (allusion): OT verse (“after two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up”) is sometimes read as a prophetic precursor to resurrection on the third day, which Paul invokes with ‘according to the Scriptures.’
- Acts 13:33-37 (quotation): Paul’s sermon cites scriptural fulfillment in God’s raising of Jesus from the dead—an NT usage that parallels 1 Cor 15:4’s claim that the resurrection occurred ‘according to the Scriptures.’
Alternative generated candidates
- that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
- that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
1Cor.15.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- οτι: CONJ
- ωφθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- Κηφα: PROPN,dat,sg,m
- ειτα: ADV
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- δωδεκα·: NUM,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Luke 24:34 (verbal): Early proclamation: 'The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon'—directly parallels Paul's statement that Christ appeared to Cephas/Simon.
- Mark 16:14 (verbal): Mark reports the risen Jesus appearing to the eleven (disciples), paralleling Paul's sequence 'to Cephas, then to the twelve'.
- John 21:1-14 (esp. vv.14-17) (thematic): John narrates a post-resurrection appearance to Simon Peter (and the disciples), including Peter's restoration—the same tradition of an appearance specifically to Peter.
- Acts 1:3 (thematic): Luke's summary that Jesus 'presented himself alive by many proofs' to the apostles after his passion echoes Paul's emphasis on multiple appearances to eyewitnesses, including Peter.
- Galatians 1:18 (allusion): Paul's own report that he 'went up to Jerusalem and stayed with Cephas' (saw Cephas) reflects his acquaintance with the tradition that Peter (Cephas) was a primary witness of the risen Christ.
Alternative generated candidates
- and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.
- and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.
1Cor.15.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- επειτα: ADV
- ωφθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- επανω: PREP
- πεντακοσιοις: NUM,dat,pl,m
- αδελφοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- εφαπαξ: ADV
- εξ: PREP
- ων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- πλειονες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- μενουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- εως: CONJ
- αρτι: ADV
- τινες: PRON,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- εκοιμηθησαν·: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Acts 1:3 (verbal): States that Jesus 'presented himself alive' and appeared to his followers during forty days — a similar testimony to multiple post‑resurrection appearances as proof of the risen Lord.
- Luke 24:36-49 (thematic): Narrates Jesus' appearance to the gathered disciples (showing his hands/feet, eating, opening minds) and emphasizes physical, eyewitness encounters like those Paul lists.
- John 20:19-29 (thematic): Records Jesus appearing to the disciples (and later to Thomas), highlighting group and individual sightings that parallel Paul's catalog of appearances.
- Mark 16:14 (thematic): Describes Jesus' appearance to the eleven, rebuking their unbelief — another Gospel report of an appearance to a gathered group, comparable to Paul's reference to many witnesses.
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (structural): The surrounding verses in Paul's own traditionize list the sequence of resurrection appearances (to Cephas, the Twelve, the 500+, James, all the apostles, and Paul), of which v.6 is part.
Alternative generated candidates
- After that he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, though some have fallen asleep.
- Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom still remain, though some have fallen asleep.
1Cor.15.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- επειτα: ADV
- ωφθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- Ιακωβω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ειτα: ADV
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- αποστολοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- πασιν·: ADJ,dat,pl,m
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 15:5 (structural): Immediate context in the resurrection appearance list (appeared to Cephas and then to the Twelve), showing Paul's cataloguing of post‑resurrection appearances that includes the appearance to James in v.7.
- Galatians 1:19 (allusion): Paul's remark that he saw 'none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord's brother' corroborates the historicity and prominence of James as an eyewitness figure to the risen Jesus.
- Acts 1:3 (thematic): Luke summarizes Jesus' post‑resurrection ministry of appearances to the apostles over forty days, thematically parallel to Paul's enumeration of appearances to the apostles.
- Luke 24:36-49 (thematic): Luke's account of Jesus appearing to the gathered disciples (showing his hands and feet, speaking about Scripture) parallels the general motif of appearances to the apostles recorded in 1 Cor 15.
- John 20:19-23 (thematic): John's narrative of Jesus appearing to the disciples, revealing his wounds and commissioning them, echoes the theme of private appearances to the apostles after the resurrection.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
- Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
1Cor.15.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εσχατον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- παντων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- ωσπερει: ADV
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- εκτρωματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- ωφθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- καμοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
Parallels
- 1 Cor 15:5-7 (structural): Immediate context — Paul lists post‑resurrection appearances (to Cephas, the Twelve, 500+, James, all the apostles), culminating in 'last of all' to Paul in v.8.
- Acts 9:3-6 (allusion): Narrative account of the risen Christ appearing to Saul on the Damascus road — the same appearance Paul summarizes as his post‑resurrection sighting.
- Gal 1:15-16 (thematic): Paul’s claim that God revealed His Son to him and called him, paralleling 1 Cor 15:8’s assertion that Christ appeared to Paul as a unique, culminating appearance.
- Luke 24:34 (quotation): Early proclamation that 'The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon' — parallels 1 Cor 15’s reference to an appearance to Cephas/Peter mentioned earlier in the same appearance-list.
- John 20:19-29 (thematic): Accounts of post‑resurrection appearances to the disciples (including the later appearance to Thomas) — parallels the theme of multiple, varied sightings of the risen Jesus culminating in Paul’s own experience.
Alternative generated candidates
- Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
- Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
1Cor.15.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- γαρ: PART
- ειμι: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ελαχιστος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αποστολων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ειμι: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- ικανος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- καλεισθαι: VERB,pres,mid/pass,inf
- αποστολος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- διοτι: CONJ
- εδιωξα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- εκκλησιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου·: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Galatians 1:13-14 (verbal): Paul uses virtually the same language about his former life—'how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it'—paralleling the confession of persecuting the church.
- 1 Timothy 1:15-16 (thematic): Paul's claim to be the foremost/least of sinners and recipient of mercy echoes his humility about being 'least of the apostles' and his past as a persecutor turned witness.
- Acts 8:3 (verbal): The narrative portrayal of Saul 'making havoc of the church, entering every house, dragging off men and women' supplies the historical background for Paul's statement that he persecuted the church.
- Philippians 3:4-6 (thematic): Paul lists his former credentials and explicitly identifies himself 'as to zeal, a persecutor of the church,' reiterating the theme of prior persecution that underlies 1 Cor 15:9.
- 1 Corinthians 15:10 (structural): Immediate continuation of 15:9—'But by the grace of God I am what I am'—links Paul's humility about apostleship and past persecution to the explanation that his role is due to divine grace.
Alternative generated candidates
- For I am the least of the apostles—unfit to be called an apostle—because I persecuted the church of God.
- For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
1Cor.15.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- χαριτι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ειμι: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ειμι: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- και: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- χαρις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- εις: PREP
- εμε: PRON,acc,sg,1
- ου: PART,neg
- κενη: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- εγενηθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- αλλα: CONJ
- περισσοτερον: ADV,comp
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- παντων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- εκοπιασα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- δε: CONJ
- αλλα: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- χαρις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- συν: PREP
- εμοι: PRON,dat,sg,1
Parallels
- 1Corinthians 15:9 (structural): Immediate context: Paul’s claim of humility ('least of the apostles') leads into 15:10’s affirmation that his status and labor are by God’s grace.
- 2Corinthians 12:9-10 (thematic): Paul emphasizes that God’s grace and power sustain him in weakness—echoing 15:10’s motif that his work and identity come from God’s grace.
- 1Corinthians 4:7 (thematic): ‘What do you have that you did not receive?’ resonates with 15:10’s rejection of self-boasting and affirmation that gifts and ministry are received by grace.
- Ephesians 2:8-9 (thematic): Paulic theology that salvation and standing are ‘by grace…not of works’ parallels 15:10’s insistence that Paul’s apostolic identity and fruit are God’s gift, not personal merit.
- Romans 11:6 (verbal): The argument that if it is by grace it is not by works mirrors 15:10’s contrast between Paul’s labor and the primacy of God’s grace accompanying him.
Alternative generated candidates
- But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not without effect. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
- But by the grace of God I am what I am; and his grace toward me was not without effect. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them—yet it was not I, but the grace of God with me.
1Cor.15.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ειτε: CONJ
- ουν: CONJ
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- ειτε: CONJ
- εκεινοι: PRO,nom,pl,m
- ουτως: ADV
- κηρυσσομεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- και: CONJ
- ουτως: ADV
- επιστευσατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (structural): The summary creed Paul says he 'delivered' and 'preached' — the content that he and others proclaim and that people have believed (directly precedes and grounds 15:11).
- Galatians 1:8-9 (allusion): Paul insists the gospel must be the same even if an apostle or an angel preaches otherwise — echoes the concern that whether Paul or others preach, the message must be identical.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (thematic): Paul praises the Thessalonians for receiving the word as God's word rather than merely human speech, paralleling 15:11's stress on hearing a preached message and believing it.
- Acts 17:2-4 (thematic): Luke's account of Paul reasoning from Scripture in synagogues and some Jews/Greeks believing parallels the link in 15:11 between proclamation by Paul/others and the listeners' faith.
- Romans 10:9-10 (thematic): Connects proclamation and personal response: confessing and believing are presented as the means by which the preached message effects salvation, reflecting 15:11's association of preaching and belief.
Alternative generated candidates
- Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
- Whether then it was I or they, so we preach, and so you believed.
Now I remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and by which you stand.
By this gospel you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message I proclaimed to you—unless you believed in vain.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins, in accordance with the Scriptures,
that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day, in accordance with the Scriptures,
that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.
Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom still live, though some have fallen asleep.
Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
For I am the least of the apostles; I am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not without effect. On the contrary, I labored more abundantly than they all—yet not I, but the grace of God with me.
Whether then it was I or they, so we preach, and so you believed.