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;
Original Language Analysis
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 18
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
πρώτοις
G4413
ὃ
that which
G3739
ὃ
that which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
6 of 18
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
παρέλαβον
I
G3880
παρέλαβον
I
Strong's:
G3880
Word #:
8 of 18
to receive near, i.e., associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation); by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn
ὅτι
how
G3754
ὅτι
how
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
9 of 18
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Χριστὸς
that Christ
G5547
Χριστὸς
that Christ
Strong's:
G5547
Word #:
10 of 18
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus
ὑπὲρ
for
G5228
ὑπὲρ
for
Strong's:
G5228
Word #:
12 of 18
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατὰ
according
G2596
κατὰ
according
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
16 of 18
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
Cross References
1 Peter 2:24Who 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 1:4Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:1 John 2:2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.Galatians 1:12For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.Revelation 1:5And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,Romans 4:25Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.Acts 3:18But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.Ephesians 5:2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.1 Corinthians 11:23For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:Zechariah 13:7Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.
Historical Context
This creedal formula (vv. 3-7) predates Paul's letter by two decades, representing the church's earliest confession. Scholars date it to within 2-5 years of the crucifixion. Paul likely received it during his Damascus/Jerusalem visits (Galatians 1:18), making this the most ancient Christian document we possess.
Questions for Reflection
- What significance does the early date of this creed have for the reliability of resurrection testimony?
- How does 'according to the scriptures' demonstrate that Jesus's death was not an accident but divine plan?
- Why is substitutionary atonement ('for our sins') inseparable from resurrection in Christian faith?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
For I delivered unto you first of all (παρέδωκα γὰρ ὑμῖν ἐν πρώτοις, paredōka gar hymin en prōtois)—Paul uses technical rabbinic terminology for transmitting authoritative tradition (paradidōmi, παραδίδωμι). The phrase that which I also received (ὃ καὶ παρέλαβον, ho kai parelabon) indicates this is not Paul's invention but apostolic tradition dating to the earliest Christian community, likely within months of the crucifixion (AD 30).
Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures (Χριστὸς ἀπέθανεν ὑπὲρ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν κατὰ τὰς γραφάς)—This is the earliest written creedal formula in Christianity. Hyper (ὑπέρ, "for, on behalf of") indicates substitutionary atonement. The phrase kata tas graphas ("according to the scriptures") grounds this in Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, etc.).