📖 Biblical Definition
Paul's full doctrinal exposition of bodily resurrection — the chapter that establishes Christian eschatology more directly than any other. Verses 1-11 rehearse the gospel: Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, was buried, rose again the third day according to the scriptures, appeared to Cephas, the twelve, five hundred brethren at once, James, all the apostles, and last of all to Paul. Verses 12-34 argue from the fact of Christ's resurrection to the necessity and reality of the believer's. Verses 35-49 develop the nature of the resurrection body: sown in corruption, raised in incorruption; sown in dishonor, raised in glory. Verses 50-58 unfold the mystery of the rapture/transformation at the trumpet sound and the final triumph: O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The chapter is foundational; everything Paul says in 16:13 about standing fast assumes the resurrection-confidence of chapter 15.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
The resurrection chapter.
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Paul's defense of the bodily resurrection of Christ as the gospel itself, with witnesses listed; the doctrinal explanation of our future resurrection body; and the trumpet-call victory over death.
📖 Key Scripture
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 — "I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day."
1 Corinthians 15:14 — "If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain."
1 Corinthians 15:55-57 — "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? ... thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Reduced to a chapter on heaven; the bodily, physical, eschatological transformation evaporates.
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Funeral sermons quote 15:55 about death's sting but skip the body. Paul insists: spiritual body, imperishable body, transformed body — not disembodied soul-floating. The hope is resurrection, not departure.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek anastasis — standing-again.
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['Greek', 'G386', 'anastasis', 'resurrection, rising']
['Greek', 'G4983', 'soma', 'body']
Usage
"Read 1 Corinthians 15 to recover bodily resurrection hope."
"Christ's resurrection is the firstfruits of ours."