1 Corinthians 15: Resurrection of Christ and of the dead

1 Corinthians 15 is what Christianity stands or falls on. Preach it like the foundation it is.

Historical context

Some in Corinth were denying the bodily resurrection of the dead (likely under Greek philosophical influence — Greek thought generally despised the body). Paul responds with the longest single argument on the topic in the New Testament. The chapter is creedal at points (vv. 3-5 are likely an early pre-Pauline confession that Paul received), evidential at points (the 500 witnesses, v. 6), and theological throughout.

Three sermon arc options

• The creed and the witnesses. 15:1-11. Walk through the four "according to the Scriptures" clauses and the named witnesses. The sermon is evidential — Christianity rises or falls on a historical claim.
• If Christ is not raised. 15:12-34. The seven implications Paul draws from a denied resurrection. The sermon walks through each and lets the cumulative force land.
• What kind of body?. 15:35-58. The seed/plant analogy, the perishable/imperishable contrast, the closing trumpet. End on 15:58 — "therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast." Resurrection is not abstract; it produces stamina.

Original language notes

Egēgertai ("has been raised," vv. 4, 14, 17, 20) — perfect tense throughout. Christ has been raised and remains raised. The grammatical persistence matters. Aparchē ("firstfruits," v. 20, 23) — agricultural language; the first sheaf guarantees the harvest.

Five illustration hooks

• A historical claim — either he rose or he didn't. Christianity is testable in a way most religions aren't.
• A seed planted in winter that emerges as something more glorious than the seed. Bodily resurrection is continuity and transformation.
• Five hundred witnesses (v. 6) — too many for a hallucination, too many for legend, too many to dismiss.
• The first sheaf of harvest brought to the temple — Christ as guarantee that the rest of the harvest is coming.
• A trumpet blast (v. 52) so loud the dead hear it. Whatever resurrection is, it is not subtle.

Cross-references

• Romans 1:4 — Christ "declared to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead."
• Romans 8:11 — The same Spirit that raised Christ will raise the believer's mortal body.
• Acts 17:18, 31 — Paul's resurrection preaching at Athens — same theology, different audience.
• Revelation 21:1-4 — The new heavens and new earth — what resurrection points to.

Pastoral application

For Easter, this chapter is the natural text. For other Sundays, it's the load-bearing wall under every sermon. Don't fluff it. Walk verse by verse. The resurrection isn't a metaphor; it's the fact your hope depends on.