1 Corinthians 15:3

My Notes

What Does 1 Corinthians 15:3 Mean?

Paul identifies the core of the gospel message he received and transmitted: for I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.

I delivered (paradidomi) unto you — Paul transmitted. The word is technical — it describes the formal passing on of tradition, the handing over of authoritative teaching from one generation to the next. Paul did not invent the gospel. He delivered what was given to him.

That which I also received (paralambano) — Paul received the gospel before he delivered it. The reception preceded the transmission. The content was not Paul's creation. It was handed to him — by the apostolic community and ultimately by Christ himself (Galatians 1:12).

First of all (en protois) — of first importance. The phrase means not merely chronologically first but primarily important — the most essential, the highest priority content. What follows is the irreducible core of the gospel — the content without which nothing else matters.

Christ died — the first element: the death of Christ. Not a martyrdom. Not an accident. A death that is the central event of the gospel. The person who died is Christ (the Messiah, the anointed one) — not merely Jesus of Nazareth but the promised one of Israel.

For our sins — the death is substitutionary. Christ died for (huper — on behalf of, in the place of) our sins. The death addresses sin — it is not a tragic ending but a purposeful sacrifice. The sins are ours — the death deals with what belongs to us but was carried by him.

According to the scriptures — the death was not arbitrary or unexpected. It was according to (kata — in accordance with, in fulfillment of) the Scriptures. The Old Testament predicted, prefigured, and promised this death. Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, the sacrificial system — all pointed to this moment. The death of Christ is the fulfillment of the Bible's central storyline.

Verses 4-5 continue: buried, rose the third day according to the scriptures, and was seen. The full gospel core: death, burial, resurrection, witnesses — all according to the Scriptures.

Reflection Questions

• 1.What does Paul 'receiving' the gospel before 'delivering' it reveal about the nature of the message — and why does it matter that he did not invent it?
• 2.Why does Paul say this is 'first of all' — of first importance — and what does that prioritization demand?
• 3.How do the three elements — Christ died, for our sins, according to the scriptures — each contribute something essential to the gospel?
• 4.How does knowing the gospel was predicted 'according to the scriptures' strengthen your confidence in its truth?

Devotional

I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received. Paul did not make this up. He received it — from the apostles, from the church, ultimately from Christ. And he delivered it — passed it on, transmitted it, handed it over as the most important thing he had to give. The gospel is not invented. It is received and delivered. Every generation receives it from the one before and passes it to the one after.

First of all. Of first importance. Before everything else. More essential than any other teaching, any other doctrine, any other instruction Paul ever gave. This is the thing that matters most — the irreducible core that everything else depends on.

Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures. Three elements in one clause. Christ died — a real death, a historical event, the Messiah's life ending on a Roman cross. For our sins — the death was not accidental. It was substitutionary — he died in your place, for your sins, addressing what you could not address yourself. According to the scriptures — the death was not a surprise. It was the fulfillment of centuries of prophecy, prefigured in every sacrifice, predicted by every prophet who spoke of a suffering servant.

This is the gospel. Not a philosophy. Not a lifestyle suggestion. Not a moral improvement program. Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures. A person. A death. A substitution. A fulfillment. That is the message Paul received, and that is the message Paul delivered. And it is the message that has been delivered to you.

The gospel is not complicated. It is specific: Christ died. It is personal: for our sins. It is grounded: according to the scriptures. And it is of first importance — the most essential truth you will ever hear. Everything else in the Christian life flows from this one sentence.

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture