1 Corinthians 15
"Where, O Death, is your victory?"
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- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
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What does it say?
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The whole chapter, in shortThe main points of the whole chapter, in a few sentences.
Paul reminds the Corinthians of the good news: Christ died for our sins, was buried, was raised on the third day, and appeared to Peter, the Twelve, more than five hundred people, and finally Paul. If Christ has not been raised, our faith is useless, but Christ has been raised as the firstfruits of all who have died. One day we will all be changed in the twinkling of an eye, death will be swallowed up in victory, and we will say, "Where, O Death, is your sting?"
Where it is in the Bible: 1 Corinthians 15
All the sections at a glanceA map of the chapter, with the verses for each section.
Map of the Letter
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Of First Importance | 15:1-11 | Christ died, was buried, rose, and appeared |
| 2. If Christ Has Not Been Raised | 15:12-19 | Everything depends on the resurrection |
| 3. The Firstfruits | 15:20-28 | Christ rose first, and death will be destroyed |
| 4. How Are the Dead Raised? | 15:35-49 | A seed and a new body |
| 5. We Will All Be Changed | 15:50-58 | Death is swallowed up in victory |
Before You Read
Who wrote it. Paul wrote this letter around AD 54 to the church he started in Corinth, a busy Greek port city.
What was happening. Some people in the church were saying there is no resurrection of the dead (15:12). Many Greeks thought the body didn't matter, and that only the soul lived on.
What this chapter is. The longest teaching about the resurrection in the Bible. It begins with the earliest summary of the gospel and ends with a shout of victory over death.
How to read it. This chapter is read at many funerals and on Easter. Read it slowly.
Section by Section
Section 1 of 5Of First Importance
Paul reminds them of the gospel, the good news that saves them.
"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures" (15:3-4).
Then Paul lists the witnesses. Jesus appeared to Peter, to the Twelve, to more than five hundred people at once, to James, to all the apostles, and last of all to Paul.
Most of the five hundred were still alive. You could go ask them.
Paul felt unworthy, because he had once attacked the church. "But by the grace of God I am what I am" (15:10).
Section 2 of 5If Christ Has Not Been Raised
Some people said the dead don't rise. Paul says: then Christ didn't rise either.
"And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins" (15:17).
"If our hope in Christ is for this life alone, we are to be pitied more than all men" (15:19).
Everything depends on the resurrection.
Section 3 of 5The Firstfruits
"But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (15:20).
Firstfruits were the first part of the harvest, a promise that the rest is coming.
"For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive" (15:22).
Christ rose first. When he comes again, those who belong to him will rise.
"The last enemy to be destroyed is death" (15:26).
Section 4 of 5How Are the Dead Raised?
Someone asks, "What kind of body will we have?"
Paul points to a seed. You plant a seed, it "dies," and something new grows that looks very different.
"What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable" (15:42).
"It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power" (15:43).
We look like Adam now, made from dust. One day we will look like Christ.
Section 5 of 5We Will All Be Changed
"Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed" (15:51).
"In an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed" (15:52).
"Death has been swallowed up in victory" (15:54).
"Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?" (15:55).
"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" (15:57).
So keep going. "Your labor in the Lord is not in vain" (15:58).
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "As of first importance" (15:3) | This is the center of the gospel. |
| "He appeared to more than five hundred" (15:6) | Many people saw the risen Jesus. |
| "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile" (15:17) | Christianity stands or falls on the resurrection. |
| "The firstfruits" (15:20) | Jesus's resurrection is the first of many. |
| "The last enemy to be destroyed is death" (15:26) | Death will not win. |
| "It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power" (15:43) | Our new bodies will be strong and lasting. |
| "Where, O Death, is your sting?" (15:55) | Death has lost its power over God's people. |
Back Then
Verses 3 to 5 may be the oldest Christian creed. Paul says he "received" it. Scholars think it goes back to within a few years of the resurrection.
Firstfruits were offered to God at the start of harvest (Leviticus 23:10). Jesus rose on the day after the Sabbath, when firstfruits were offered.
Paul quotes Isaiah 25:8 and Hosea 13:14 about death being swallowed up.
Literal Reader Alert
Will we be ghosts in heaven? No. Paul says we'll have bodies, raised and made new, like Jesus's risen body.
What is "baptized for the dead"? No one knows for sure what this meant. Paul mentions it but doesn't explain it.
What about people who die before Jesus comes back? Paul says they have "fallen asleep." They will be raised.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Paul | Unworthy | He had persecuted the church (15:9) |
| Paul | Grateful | "By the grace of God I am what I am" (15:10) |
| Believers | Triumphant | Death is swallowed up in victory (15:54) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What does the resurrection mean to you today? Tap one.
Someone died
They have fallen asleep in Christ. They will rise.
I'm afraid of death
"Where, O Death, is your sting?" Jesus took it.
Is it true?
Paul lists witnesses, more than five hundred.
My work seems pointless
"Your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
You Might Have Heard
"When you die, your soul floats away, and your body doesn't matter."
What's true: The soul goes to be with the Lord.
What the passage is mainly about: God cares about bodies too. Jesus rose with a real body. One day, God will raise our bodies, made new and imperishable.
Where Jesus is: Risen, the firstfruits, reigning until death itself is destroyed.
Good News
Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose on the third day.
"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" (15:57).
Because he lives, death has lost its sting. One day, in the twinkling of an eye, we will be changed.
Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who sleep. Death is swallowed up in victory, and God gives us the victory through Jesus.
Big Idea
Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day. Because he lives, death is swallowed up in victory.
If this chapter brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther preached a long series of sermons on 1 Corinthians 15. He said the resurrection of Christ is the foundation of everything we believe, and that a Christian should look at a grave like a farmer looks at a planted field.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year C, it reads parts of 1 Corinthians 15 on Easter Day and on the Fifth through Eighth Sundays after the Epiphany. In Year B, it reads 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 as an Easter option. It is also read at many funerals.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
How did that feel?
You finished 1 Corinthians 15.
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany Year CSecond reading, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
- Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany Year CSecond reading, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20
- Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany Year CSecond reading, 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50
- Eighth Sunday after the Epiphany Year CSecond reading, 1 Corinthians 15:51-58
- Easter Day: The Resurrection of Our Lord Year BSecond reading, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 or Acts 10:34-43
- Lectionary 8 Year CSecond reading, 1 Corinthians 15:51-58
For a newsletter or sermon notes
1 Corinthians 15, explained in plain words. Paul says everything hangs on one fact: Christ was raised. And because he was, we will be too. About 9 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/1-corinthians-15/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church