1 Corinthians 15:3-4
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Paul doesn't just hand over a teaching; he emphasizes that what he's received is precisely what he's delivering, highlighting the unbroken chain of truth from God. The phrase "of first importance" isn't just Paul's opinion; it points to the absolute, non-negotiable centrality of Christ's atoning death, something foundational to the whole Christian faith.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is addressing the Corinthians' doubt about the resurrection of the dead, which some believed was impossible. He's laying out the absolute foundational truth of Christianity – the gospel message itself – as the reason why belief in the resurrection is non-negotiable. This verse, and what follows, forms the bedrock argument for why Christ’s resurrection is central and proves our future resurrection.
Paul doesn't present his message as his own brilliant idea. It was something handed down to him. What does this mean for how we view the core Christian message?
A Trustworthy Transmission
Paul begins by emphasizing the source and delivery of the gospel. He uses the phrase 'what I also received' – this points to a tradition, a received truth that he, in turn, faithfully passed on.
This isn't about Paul's personal opinions or interpretations. It's about a foundational message that was entrusted to the apostles and then to the church. This highlights the reliability and authority of the gospel message itself. It’s a truth that pre-dates Paul and has been passed down through generations.
Paul calls this gospel 'of first importance.' What makes Christ's death for our sins the absolute center of everything?
The Undisputed Priority
The phrase 'as of first importance' (or 'of first importance') is a powerful indicator of priority. For Paul, and for the early church, nothing was more crucial than the atoning death of Jesus Christ.
This wasn't just a tragic end to a good man's life. It was a deliberate, sacrificial act designed to address the deepest problem humanity faces: sin. His death was the divine solution, the ultimate act of love and justice, making reconciliation with God possible.
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Christ's death wasn't a surprise event to God. It was planned and foretold. How does this connect Jesus' sacrifice to the entire story of the Old Testament?
God's Unfolding Plan
Paul doesn't leave us thinking Christ's death was a last-minute fix. He grounds it firmly in the Scriptures: 'in accordance with the Scriptures.' This means Jesus' sacrificial death was not an afterthought but was woven into God's eternal plan, predicted and promised throughout the Old Testament.
This anchors the gospel in God's faithfulness and sovereignty. It shows that Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promises, the Messiah the prophets spoke about. His death is the climax of the biblical narrative, the point where God's plan for salvation is fully realized.
Understand the original words
Christos · Greek Noun
The long-awaited 'Anointed One' of God. As the Messiah, He serves as the ultimate Prophet, Priest, and King, fulfilling all Old Testament types and prophecies.
hamartia · Greek Noun
The transgression of God’s law, or falling short of His glory, resulting in separation from God and requiring an atonement. Christ’s death serves as the propitiation for these offenses.
graphē · Greek Noun
The sacred, inspired writings of the Old Testament. They testify to the character of God and the necessity and nature of the Messiah's mission.
egeirō · Greek Verb
The act of being raised from the dead. It signifies the defeat of death, the vindication of Christ’s divinity, and the promise of the believer’s future resurrection.
The foundational truths Paul emphasizes here—Christ's death for sins according to Scripture—were the very core of the gospel message he and other apostles were commissioned to spread, even amidst the cultural and political landscape of the Roman Empire.
c. 30-33 AD— this verse
Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
Jesus is crucified in Jerusalem under Pontius Pilate, fulfilling prophecies concerning His death for humanity's sins.
c. 30-33 AD
Resurrection and Post-Resurrection Appearances
Jesus rises from the dead and appears to his disciples and many others over a period of 40 days.
c. 33 AD
The Day of Pentecost
The Holy Spirit descends upon the apostles, empowering them to preach the gospel and establishing the early Church.
c. 35-48 AD
Paul's Early Ministry and Conversion
Saul of Tarsus, later known as Paul, persecutes Christians but is converted and begins his ministry to the Gentiles.
c. 49-51 AD
Council of Jerusalem
Apostles and elders address the issue of Gentile inclusion in the Church, affirming that salvation is by grace through faith.
c. 53-57 AD
Paul's Missionary Journeys
Paul travels extensively, establishing churches throughout Asia Minor and Greece, facing opposition and persecution.
c. 55 AD
Writing of 1 Corinthians
Paul writes this letter from Ephesus to address divisions and doctrinal issues within the church in Corinth.
This Old Testament prophecy powerfully foreshadows Christ's atoning death, showing that His sacrifice for sins was planned from the beginning of God's redemptive history.
Luke 24:44-46Jesus Himself points His disciples to the Scriptures, explaining that the Messiah had to suffer and rise again, directly linking His death to biblical prophecy as Paul does.
Romans 4:25This passage emphasizes that Jesus was 'put to death for our trespasses and raised for our justification,' mirroring Paul's core message about the purpose of Christ's death and resurrection.
1 Peter 3:18Peter echoes the theme that Christ suffered for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, highlighting the substitutionary nature of His death which is central to 1 Corinthians 15:3.
Paul doesn't just hand over a teaching; he emphasizes that what he's received is precisely what he's delivering, highlighting the unbroken chain of truth from God. The phrase "of first importance" isn't just Paul's opinion; it points to the absolute, non-negotiable centrality of Christ's atoning death, something foundational to the whole Christian faith.
Paul is addressing the Corinthians' doubt about the resurrection of the dead, which some believed was impossible. He's laying out the absolute foundational truth of Christianity – the gospel message itself – as the reason why belief in the resurrection is non-negotiable. This verse, and what follows, forms the bedrock argument for why Christ’s resurrection is central and proves our future resurrection.
Paul is addressing the Corinthians' doubt about the resurrection of the dead, which some believed was impossible. He's laying out the absolute foundational truth of Christianity – the gospel message itself – as the reason why belief in the resurrection is non-negotiable. This verse, and what follows, forms the bedrock argument for why Christ’s resurrection is central and proves our future resurrection.
"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures," — Paul doesn't just hand over a teaching; he emphasizes that what he's received is precisely what he's delivering, highlighting the unbroken chain of truth from God. The phrase "of first importance…
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Last reviewed October 2026
