1 Corinthians 15:3

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

For {G1063} I delivered {G3860} unto you {G5213} first of all {G1722}{G4413} that which {G3739} I {G3880} also {G2532} received {G3880}, how {G3754} that Christ {G5547} died {G599} for {G5228} our {G2257} sins {G266} according {G2596} to the scriptures {G1124};

For among the first things I passed on to you was what I also received, namely this: the Messiah died for our sins, in accordance with what the Tanakh says;

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

Context

First Corinthians chapter 15 is often called the "Resurrection Chapter" because it is Paul's most extensive theological discussion of the resurrection of Christ and its implications for believers. In verses 1-2, Paul reminds the Corinthian church of the Gospel message he had preached to them, through which they were saved if they held fast to it. Verse 3 then immediately dives into the core content of that Gospel. The Corinthian church faced issues, including some who denied the future resurrection of believers, making Paul's foundational reminder crucial. He establishes the reliability and authority of the Gospel by stating he "received" it before "delivering" it, emphasizing its divine origin and apostolic continuity.

Key Themes

  • The Core of the Gospel: This verse succinctly presents the absolute heart of the Christian message: the sacrificial death of Christ for human sin. It highlights that the Gospel is not a human invention but a divine revelation, passed on through faithful witnesses.
  • Atonement and Substitution: The phrase "Christ died for our sins" is central to the doctrine of atonement, signifying that Jesus' death was a substitutionary act, bearing the penalty for humanity's transgressions. His death was not accidental but purposeful, addressing the sin problem.
  • Scriptural Fulfillment: The phrase "according to the scriptures" underscores that Christ's death was not a random event but the fulfillment of ancient prophecies found in the Old Testament. This provides divine validation and historical depth to the redemptive work of Christ.
  • Apostolic Tradition and Authority: Paul's declaration, "I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received," emphasizes the authoritative, unchanging nature of the Gospel message. He is not teaching new doctrine but faithfully transmitting a truth he himself received from the Lord and other apostles.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "first of all" (KJV) translates the Greek `en protois` (ἐν πρώτοις), which signifies "of first importance" or "among the first things." This highlights the foundational and non-negotiable nature of the truth Paul is about to state. The verbs "delivered" (Greek: `paredoka` - παρέδωκα) and "received" (Greek: `parelabon` - παρέλαβον) are significant. They are technical terms used for transmitting and receiving authoritative traditions or teachings, similar to how a sacred trust or doctrine would be handed down. This underscores the authenticity and reliability of the Gospel message being shared. The phrase "for our sins" (Greek: `hyper ton hamartion hemon` - ὑπὲρ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν) literally means "on behalf of our sins" or "in place of our sins," further emphasizing the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the fundamental truth upon which Christian faith stands. For believers, it reinforces the immense love of God demonstrated through Christ's sacrifice, offering profound assurance of salvation and forgiveness (Romans 5:8). It calls us to regularly reflect on the meaning of Christ's death for our sins and to live lives that honor this incredible gift. For those exploring faith, it presents the core message of the Gospel in its simplest, most potent form. Furthermore, the emphasis on "according to the scriptures" encourages us to delve into the Old Testament to see how God's plan of redemption was meticulously laid out centuries before Christ's arrival (Isaiah 53:5). Just as Paul faithfully delivered what he received (1 Corinthians 11:23), we are called to understand, cherish, and share this timeless truth with clarity and conviction.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Peter 2:24

    Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

  • Galatians 1:4

    Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

  • Isaiah 53:1

    ¶ Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

  • Isaiah 53:12

    Therefore will I divide him [a portion] with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

  • 1 John 2:2

    And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world.

  • Galatians 1:12

    For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught [it], but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

  • Daniel 9:24

    Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

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