1 Corinthians 15:4
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
1 Corinthians 15:4
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Chapter Context
1 Corinthians 15 is a pastoral epistle chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of prayer, truth, obedience. Written during Paul's third missionary journey (c. 55 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: The church existed in a prosperous, cosmopolitan, morally permissive Roman colony.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-58: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it defends the resurrection as central to Christian faith. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within 1 Corinthians and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
1 Corinthians 15:4
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Analysis
And that he was buried (καὶ ὅτι ἐτάφη, kai hoti etaphē)—The burial confirms the reality of Jesus's death. Ancient docetists denied Christ truly died; Paul's emphasis on burial refutes this. The aorist passive verb etaphē indicates a completed action—Jesus was truly, physically dead and laid in Joseph of Arimathea's tomb.
And that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures (καὶ ὅτι ἐγήγερται τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ κατὰ τὰς γραφάς)—The verb egēgertai (ἐγήγερται) is perfect tense, indicating past action with ongoing results: "He has been raised and remains risen." The third day fulfills Hosea 6:2 and Jonah's three days (Matthew 12:40). Unlike pagan resurrection myths (Osiris, Adonis), this occurred in history, on a specific day, verified by witnesses.
Historical Context
Jewish burial customs involved immediate entombment and three-day observation to confirm death (John 11:39). The third-day resurrection was early enough to prevent decomposition (Psalm 16:10, Acts 2:27) yet long enough to confirm death. The specificity of 'third day' indicates historical testimony, not myth.
Reflection
- Why is the burial essential to the gospel, not merely the death and resurrection?
- What does the perfect tense 'has been raised' indicate about Christ's current state?
- How do Old Testament scriptures prepare for and validate the third-day resurrection?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Psalms 2:7, Hosea 6:2, Jonah 1:17, Matthew 12:40, Luke 9:22, 24:26