1 Corinthians 15:3 - Exposition

First of all; literally, among the first things; but this idiom means "first of all." It does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament, but is found in Genesis 33:2 ; 2 Samuel 5:8 ( LXX .). This testimony to the Resurrection is very remarkable, because:

1. It is the completest summary.

2. It refers to some incidents which are not mentioned in the Gospels.

3. It declares that the death and resurrection of Christ were a subject of ancient prophecy.

4. It shows the force of the evidence on which the apostles relied and the number of living eye witnesses to whom they could appeal.

5. It is the earliest written testimony to the Resurrection; for it was penned within twenty-five years of the event itself.

6. It shows that the evidence for the Resurrection as a literal, historical, objective fact, was sufficient to convince the powerful intellect of a hostile contemporary observer.

7. It probably embodies, and became the model for, a part of the earliest Creed of the Church. For our sins; literally, on behalf of. The passage is remarkable as the only one in which "on behalf of" is used with "sins" in St. Paul. In 1 Corinthians 1:13 we are told that he died" on behalf of us" ( Romans 5:8 ; see 2 Corinthians 5:21 ; 1 Peter 2:24 ). The expressions involve the image of Christ as a Sin Offering for the forgiveness of sins. According to the Scriptures. The chief passages alluded to are doubtless Isaiah 53:5 , Isaiah 53:8 ; Daniel 9:26 ; Psalms 22:1-31 .; Zechariah 12:10 ; together with such types as the offering of Isaac ( Genesis 22:1-24 .) and the Paschal lamb, etc. Our Lord had taught the apostles confidently to refer to the Messianic interpretation of the Old Testament prophecies ( Luke 24:25 , Luke 24:46 : Acts 8:35 ; Acts 17:3 ; Acts 26:22 , Acts 26:23 ; John 2:22 ; John 20:9 ; 1 Peter 1:11 ).