1 Corinthians 15:1
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
Original Language Analysis
ἀδελφοί
brethren
G80
ἀδελφοί
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
4 of 16
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ᾧ
which
G3739
ᾧ
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
7 of 16
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
εὐηγγελισάμην
I preached
G2097
εὐηγγελισάμην
I preached
Strong's:
G2097
Word #:
8 of 16
to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel
ᾧ
which
G3739
ᾧ
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
10 of 16
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
παρελάβετε
ye have received
G3880
παρελάβετε
ye have received
Strong's:
G3880
Word #:
12 of 16
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
ᾧ
which
G3739
ᾧ
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
14 of 16
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Cross References
1 Peter 5:12By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.2 Corinthians 1:24Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.1 Thessalonians 1:6And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:Acts 11:1And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.Romans 2:16In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.John 12:48He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.1 Thessalonians 2:13For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.1 Thessalonians 4:1Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.2 Thessalonians 3:6Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
Historical Context
Written circa AD 55 from Ephesus during Paul's third missionary journey. The Corinthian congregation, steeped in Greek philosophy (especially Platonic dualism), struggled to reconcile bodily resurrection with prevailing views that saw the body as a prison for the soul. Greek thinkers like Plato taught immortality of the soul, not resurrection of the body.
Questions for Reflection
- How does your understanding of the gospel depend on the physical resurrection of Christ?
- In what ways might contemporary views of spirituality minimize the importance of bodily resurrection?
- What does it mean that you 'stand' in the gospel—how does resurrection truth provide stability for Christian faith?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel (τὸ εὐαγγέλιον, to euangelion)—Paul begins his resurrection apologetic by anchoring it in the gospel he originally preached. The verb gnōrizō (γνωρίζω, "I make known") suggests formal proclamation of authoritative truth. The phrase wherein ye stand (en hō hestēkate, ἐν ᾧ ἑστήκατε) uses the perfect tense, indicating the Corinthians' established, ongoing position in gospel truth.
This verse introduces the most extensive New Testament treatment of resurrection doctrine (vv. 1-58). The Corinthian church was infected with Greek philosophical dualism that denigrated physical matter and denied bodily resurrection (v. 12). Paul responds by demonstrating that resurrection is not peripheral but central to Christian faith—the gospel itself stands or falls on this doctrine.