1 Corinthians 15:3-4
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)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Paul emphasizes that the core message he received and is passing on is not his own clever idea, but a divine revelation. The phrase "as of first importance" signals that this truth is the absolute bedrock of Christian faith, not just one item on a list.
Paul is addressing a serious issue in the Corinthian church: some people were denying the resurrection of the dead. To refute this dangerous idea, he's laying out the foundational truths of the gospel, starting with the absolute core message he'd already taught them. This verse, and what follows, emphasizes that Christ's death for our sins and his subsequent resurrection are not minor details, but the very bedrock of their faith.
Paul kicks this chapter off by declaring something is of 'first importance.' It's not just another detail about Jesus, but the very foundation of everything.
What makes this specific truth so crucial?
The Priority of Christ's Sacrifice
Paul uses the phrase "first importance" to highlight the absolute centrality of Jesus' death for our sins. This isn't just one teaching among many; it's the core message.
It's Received, Then Delivered
Notice how Paul received this truth and then passed it on. This shows the gospel isn't a human invention, but something divinely revealed and faithfully transmitted.
It's About Our Sins
The verse explicitly states Christ died "for our sins." This isn't a general sacrifice for humanity's well-being, but a specific atonement for sin, addressing the deep human problem of separation from God.
The verse tells us why Christ died: "for our sins." But what does that really mean in practical terms for us today?
Let's unpack the profound significance of this substitution.
The Substitutionary Atonement
This is the heart of the gospel: Jesus took our place. His death wasn't a martyrdom for a good cause; it was a divine solution to the problem of sin.
Sin's Price
Scripture teaches that the penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23). Because we could not pay this price ourselves, God sent His Son to pay it for us.
Reconciliation Achieved
Christ's death bridges the gap sin created between us and God. Through His sacrifice, we can be reconciled to God, our sins forgiven.
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 deep theological truths in this verse were communicated by Paul to a specific church facing real-world problems, grounding the abstract in the concrete reality of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.
c. 30-33 AD— this verse
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus is arrested, tried, and crucified by Roman authorities in Jerusalem. This event is the central point of Christian belief.
c. 30-33 AD
Resurrection of Jesus
According to the New Testament, Jesus rises from the dead three days after his crucifixion. This event validates his claims and the atoning sacrifice.
c. 30s AD
Formation of the Early Church
The disciples, empowered by the Holy Spirit, begin preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem and beyond. The message of Christ's death and resurrection spreads.
c. 40s-60s AD
Paul's Missionary Journeys
The Apostle Paul travels extensively, establishing churches throughout the Roman Empire, including Corinth. He teaches the foundational doctrines of Christianity.
This Old Testament prophecy beautifully anticipates the suffering servant who would be pierced for transgressions, directly foreshadowing Christ's atoning death for our sins.
Luke 24:44-47Jesus Himself explains to His disciples that His suffering, death, and resurrection were the fulfillment of all that was written about Him in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms, echoing Paul's emphasis on the Scriptures.
Romans 4:25This passage directly connects Jesus' death to our justification and His resurrection to our new life, reinforcing the foundational importance of both events for believers.
1 Peter 2:24Peter highlights that Jesus Himself 'bore our sins in his body on the tree,' showing how His sacrificial death was a personal act of bearing the penalty for our wrongdoing.
John 3:16This beloved verse explains the divine motivation behind Christ's death – God's immense love for the world – and presents His death as the means by which believers receive eternal life.
Paul emphasizes that the core message he received and is passing on is not his own clever idea, but a divine revelation. The phrase "as of first importance" signals that this truth is the absolute bedrock of Christian faith, not just one item on a list.
Paul is addressing a serious issue in the Corinthian church: some people were denying the resurrection of the dead. To refute this dangerous idea, he's laying out the foundational truths of the gospel, starting with the absolute core message he'd already taught them. This verse, and what follows, emphasizes that Christ's death for our sins and his subsequent resurrection are not minor details, but the very bedrock of their faith.
Paul is addressing a serious issue in the Corinthian church: some people were denying the resurrection of the dead. To refute this dangerous idea, he's laying out the foundational truths of the gospel, starting with the absolute core message he'd already taught them. This verse, and what follows, emphasizes that Christ's death for our sins and his subsequent resurrection are not minor details, but the very bedrock of their faith.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 is available in the Sola app.
Paul doesn't just present Christ's death as a historical event; he grounds it in something far older and grander.
What does it mean that His death was 'in accordance with the Scriptures'?
Divine Plan, Not a Surprise
This phrase assures us that Jesus' death was not an unexpected tragedy or a last-minute improvisation by God. It was part of an eternal, unfolding plan outlined in the Old Testament.
Fulfillment of Prophecy
The Scriptures, meaning the Old Testament writings known at the time, foretold the coming of a Messiah who would suffer and die for the sins of His people. Jesus' death was the perfect fulfillment of these prophecies.
God's Sovereign Purpose
This connects Jesus' sacrifice directly to God's overarching redemptive purpose for humanity. It underscores that God was in control of history, orchestrating these events from the beginning.
c. 50-52 AD
Founding of the Corinthian Church
Paul spends significant time in Corinth, preaching and establishing the church there. He later writes letters to address their specific issues.
c. 53-55 AD
Writing of 1 Corinthians
From Ephesus, Paul writes his first letter to the church in Corinth to correct divisions and doctrinal misunderstandings, including those about the 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 emphasizes that the core message he received and is passing on is not his own clever idea, but a divine revelation. The phrase "as of first importance" signals that this truth is the absolute be…
