I Corinthians 15:3 · Bible study
1 Corinthians 15:3 Commentary: Christ Died for Our Sins According to Scriptures
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Examine Paul's earliest creedal summary: Christ's atoning death for sins, grounded in Old Testament Scriptures. Scholarly commentary and pastoral insights.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Christ’s atoning death is the foundational gospel truth, delivered by apostolic tradition and rooted in Old Testament prophecy.
- Key words: Paradid?mi (I deliver), paralamban? (I receive), pr?tos (first), huper (for/on behalf of), graph? (Scripture).
- Main debate: Whether huper implies strict substitution (Christ in our place) or a broader representation (Christ on our behalf). The supplied sources favour substitution, but later scholarship sometimes nuances it.
- Theological theme: Vicarious atonement; the death of the Messiah as a sacrifice for sin, fulfilling divine promises.
- Best use: As a creedal summary for teaching, preaching, and personal meditation on the heart of the gospel.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
WEB World English Bible 2000
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
KJV King James Version 1769
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
ASV American Standard Version 1901
For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
for I delivered to you first, what also I did receive, that Christ died for our sins, according to the Writings,
Darby Darby Bible 1890
For I delivered to you, in the first place, what also I had received, that Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures;
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
For I delivered unto you first of all, which I also received: how that Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures:
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Porque primeramente|strong="G1722, G4413" os he enseñado lo que asimismo recibí: Que Cristo fué muerto por nuestros pecados, conforme á las Escrituras;
Porque primeiramente vos entreguei o que também recebi, que Cristo morreu por nossos pecados, segundo as Escrituras;
Je vous ai enseigné avant tout, comme je l’avais aussi reçu, que Christ est mort pour nos péchés, selon les Écritures;
Denn ich habe euch zuvörderst gegeben, was ich empfangen habe: daß Christus gestorben sei für unsre Sünden nach der Schrift,
Want ik heb ulieden ten eerste overgegeven, hetgeen ik ook ontvangen heb, dat Christus gestorven is voor onze zonden, naar de Schriften;
Poiché io v’ho prima di tutto trasmesso, come l’ho ricevuto anch’io, che Cristo è morto per i nostri peccati, secondo le Scritture;
Albowiem naprzód podałem wam, com też wziął, iż Chrystus umarł za grzechy nasze według Pism;
Ибо я первоначально преподал вам, что и сам принял, то есть, что Христос умер за грехи наши, по Писанию,
我當日所 領受 又 傳給 你們的：第 一，就是 基督 照 聖經所說，為 我們 的罪 死了，
For I gave to you first of all what was handed down to me, how Christ underwent death for our sins, as it says in the Writings;
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · I Corinthians 15:3
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that 1 Corinthians 15:3 is among the earliest creedal summaries of the Christian faith. Paul uses the language of tradition, param?d?mi (I delivered) and paralamban? (I received), to signal he is passing on a fixed body of teaching, not his own invention. Adam Clarke notes the phrase “first of all” (??? ????????, en pr?tois) means “as the chief things, or matters of the greatest importance; fundamental truths.” Albert Barnes agrees that this was “among the first doctrines which I preached.” John Calvin calls it “a fundamental doctrine of the gospel,” comparing it to a foundation stone.
All the supplied sources affirm that when Paul says “Christ died for our sins,” he means a vicarious, atoning death. Barnes writes that “this passage is full proof that Christ did not die merely as a martyr, but that his death was to make atonement for sin.” Gill ties the phrase to Old Testament promises and prophecies, especially Genesis 3:15 and Daniel 9:24. The phrase “according to the Scriptures” is understood by every commentator to refer to the Old Testament, particularly Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, and the typology of Isaac and the Passover lamb.
Two points stand without dispute: the death of Christ is the heart of the gospel, and that death was predicted and prefigured in Israel’s Scriptures. For this reason, the verse has been treasured across traditions as a compact confession of what lies at the centre of Christian hope.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Christ died as a sacrificial atonement for sins, and this death occurred according to the plan revealed in the Old Testament Scriptures.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of ‘first of all’ (ἐν πρώτοις) | All commentators agree it signals primary importance, either first in order of teaching or first in doctrinal rank. | Some read it as ‘first in time’ (the first thing Paul preached), while others (Clarke, JFB) take it as ‘among the foremost points,’ stressing importance over sequence. |
| Sense of ‘for our sins’ (ὑπὲρ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν) | Across traditions, the death is understood as vicarious, Christ died for the sake of sinners, dealing with sin. | Barnes and Gill emphasize substitution (Christ taking the penalty in our place). The Greek preposition ???? (huper) can also mean ‘on behalf of,’ and some interpreters (e.g., JFB) note that it does not always carry a strict penal-substitution sense, though they affirm it is atoning. |
| Reference of ‘according to the Scriptures’ | All agree Paul refers to the Old Testament, not New Testament writings. | Commentators differ on which specific passages are in view. Clarke favours typological references (Isaac, Jonah); Barnes and Cambridge Bible list Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, and Daniel 9 as likely candidates. |
| Source of Paul’s gospel | Paul received this teaching from divine revelation, not from human tradition alone. | Calvin and Gill stress direct revelation from Christ. The Cambridge Bible allows that Paul may have also received elementary instruction from the disciples in Damascus (Acts 9:19) before it was confirmed by revelation. Both positions affirm the message is God-given. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Paul writes to a church in Corinth that has begun to doubt the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:12). Some members, influenced by Greek philosophy, treat bodily resurrection as impossible. The apostle responds by grounding everything in the gospel he originally preached, the same gospel by which they “stand” and “are saved” (vv. 1, 2).
The verbs Paul uses reveal a careful chain of custody. Paradid?mi (I deliver) and paralamban? (I receive) are technical terms for passing on authoritative tradition, used in both Jewish rabbinic circles and early Christian catechesis. The phrase ??? ???????? (en pr?tois) can mean “first in order of time” or “first in rank of importance”; most commentators, including Clarke, Barnes, and Calvin, read it as signalling primary importance. Paul is not listing doctrines in sequence; he is naming what is most essential.
This creedal fragment (“that Christ died for our sins … that he was buried … that he was raised …”) probably existed in fixed form before Paul wrote. The Cambridge Bible notes its close resemblance to the later Apostles’ Creed, and Irenaeus (second century) gives a similar summary. Paul adapts the creed for his argument, pressing the Corinthians to see that denying the resurrection undermines the very gospel they received.
Culturally, a Corinthian reader would recognize the language of a formal deposition or legal handover. Paul is testifying under apostolic authority, not offering opinion. The phrase “according to the Scriptures” further roots this testimony in the Jewish Scriptures that Paul had once persecuted the church to uphold. For a mixed congregation of Jews and Gentiles, this claim would either confirm their hope or challenge their assumptions about the Messiah.
The pastoral force is clear: the gospel is not a novelty Paul invented. It was handed to him, and he hands it on. It stands on divine revelation and scriptural confirmation.
Textual Notes
The supplied commentary sources note no significant textual variants for 1 Corinthians 15:3. The verse is well-attested and reads consistently across major manuscripts (P46, Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, Alexandrinus). The only minor variation is the presence or absence of the conjunction ???? (‘that’) in some witnesses, which does not affect meaning.
Reception History
This verse has been treasured as a concise statement of the gospel from the earliest centuries. The Cambridge Bible notes its close resemblance to the Apostles’ Creed, which emerged in the second century as a baptismal confession. Irenaeus, writing around AD 180, gives a very similar summary in Against Heresies, reflecting the apostolic tradition. Throughout church history, 1 Corinthians 15:3 has been central in discussions of the atonement, cited by Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, and Calvin alike. It appears in countless hymns (e.g., “Jesus Paid It All”) and is a standard text for evangelistic preaching. The verse also anchors the Christian hope in a specific historical act, grounding faith in what God did in Christ rather than in human ideas about God.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The source of the gospel. Paul received it, not from men but from the risen Christ (Galatians 1:12, the apostle says it was “by revelation”). He then delivered it faithfully to the Corinthians. The preacher can trace this chain from Christ through the apostles to the present church.
- The substance of the gospel. “Christ died for our sins.” His death was vicarious, he took the penalty we deserved. The phrase stands at the centre of Paul’s preaching; it is the reason there is good news at all.
- The scriptural proof of the gospel. “According to the Scriptures.” The death was no accident or afterthought. From Genesis 3:15 to Isaiah 53, God had been pointing to this moment.
Five-point outline
- Apostolic authority: Paul claims his message is divinely given, not self-made.
- Historical priority: “first of all”, the atonement is the lead doctrine, not a secondary topic.
- Atoning death: the preposition ???? (huper) means “for” in the sense of “on behalf of” and, in context, “instead of.”
- Personal scope: “our sins”, not a general abstraction, but the actual failures of every believer.
- Prophetic continuity: the Old Testament predicted and prepared for this death; the resurrection and appearances that follow confirm it.
Illustration hooks
- A legal deposition: a witness swears under oath to what he has seen and heard. Paul is that witness for the gospel.
- A family recipe passed through generations: the tradition is precious and must be transmitted exactly. Paul handles the gospel with that same care.
- A life-saving medicine prescribed by a specialist: the cure only works if it is exactly what the patient needs. Christ’s death is the specific remedy for sin.
Questions your congregation is asking
- “How can I know my sins are truly forgiven?” The answer is in this verse, Christ died for our sins, and the resurrection proves his sacrifice was accepted.
- “Isn’t the Old Testament just background to the real story?” Paul insists that the death of Christ is “according to the Scriptures,” showing the Bible is a single, coherent plan of redemption.
- “Why does the church talk so much about the cross when the resurrection is what gives us hope?” Paul treats the death and resurrection as a single event; the cross is the means, the resurrection is the vindication.
Leading a Discussion
This verse is often called “the gospel in a nutshell.” Paul packs the entire Christian message into a single sentence: Christ died for our sins, just as God had promised all along. As you work through the questions, notice how Paul’s careful language (“I delivered … I received”) reminds us that the gospel comes as a gift and must be passed on faithfully.
Discussion questions
- Why does Paul start with “first of all”? What does that tell us about his priorities?
- The word ??? (‘for’ or ‘on behalf of’) in Greek can mean either “instead of” or “for the benefit of.” How does each meaning shape your understanding of Christ’s death?
- What does Paul mean when he says this message is something he “received”? How does that strengthen or challenge your confidence in the gospel?
- Which Old Testament passages come to mind when you hear “according to the Scriptures”? How does seeing the cross in the Old Testament change how you read it?
- Why do you think Paul includes his own chain of testimony (delivered/received) in a passage about the resurrection? What is he protecting against?
- How would you explain “Christ died for our sins” to someone who thinks he was just a good teacher who died unjustly?
- In what ways can your group help one another keep this truth “first of all” in daily life?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Genesis 3:15 | I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel.” |
| Psalms 22:1 | For the Chief Musician; set to “The Doe of the Morning.” A Psalm by David. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning? |
| Psalms 22:31 | They shall come and shall declare his righteousness to a people that shall be born, for he has done it. |
| Psalms 69:1 | For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Lilies.” By David. Save me, God, for the waters have come up to my neck! |
| Psalms 69:36 | The children also of his servants shall inherit it. Those who love his name shall dwell therein. |
| Isaiah 53:1 | Who has believed our message? To whom has Yahweh’s arm been revealed? |
| Isaiah 53:12 | Therefore I will give him a portion with the great. He will divide the plunder with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was counted with the transgressors; yet he bore the sins of many and made intercession for the transgressors. |
| Ezekiel 3:17 | “Son of man, I have made you a watchman to the house of Israel. Therefore hear the word from my mouth, and warn them from me. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin emphasizes that Paul preached the resurrection as a foundational gospel truth, received directly from the Lord and not from human report. By linking Christ's death and burial to his resurrection, Calvin argues that Christ fully shared our mortality so that we might rise with him.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This commentary notes that Paul's teaching on the resurrection, resembling the Apostles' Creed, was not simply passed down secondhand. Paul first received elementary instruction from other disciples and Scripture, but then tested it through study, prayer and divine revelation until it became his own by inward conviction from God.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
For first of all, I deliuered vnto you that which I receiued, how that Christ died for our sinnes, according to the Scriptures,
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill stresses that Paul delivered Christ's death for sins as a chief doctrine, received directly from Christ and faithfully passed on. This death was no new idea but the exact fulfillment of every Old Testament promise, type, and prophecy about the Messiah's suffering, all now accomplished.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry emphasizes that the Corinthians were not merely confused about the resurrection but flatly denied it, whether by twisting it into allegory or rejecting it as unreasonable. He insists the resurrection is a literal, future reality tied to God's recompense, not a symbolic change of life or a past event.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent notes that Stanley sees this passage as the earliest known creed-like statement, but with a key difference. It is not a formal profession that converts recited; instead it preserves the exact shape of the apostles' early preaching, a sample of what they taught rather than what believers confessed.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley insists that what he received came directly from Christ, not from his own imagination or invention. He grounds this claim in the prophecy of Isaiah, showing that his message is rooted in Scripture and divine appointment, not human creativity.