1 Corinthians 15:6
After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.
After that
This phrase indicates a sequence of events following the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Greek word used here is "ἔπειτα" (epeita), which means "then" or "afterwards." It suggests a continuation of the appearances of the risen Christ, emphasizing the historical reality and the unfolding revelation of His resurrection to various groups. This sequence underscores the importance of the resurrection as a foundational truth of the Christian faith.

He appeared
The Greek word "ὤφθη" (ōphthē) is used here, meaning "was seen" or "appeared." This term is significant because it implies a physical, visible manifestation of Jesus, countering any claims that the resurrection was merely spiritual or metaphorical. The use of this word affirms the bodily resurrection of Christ, a cornerstone of conservative Christian doctrine, which holds that Jesus physically rose from the dead, validating His divinity and the truth of His teachings.

to more than five hundred brothers
The phrase "πεντακοσίοις ἀδελφοῖς" (pentakosiois adelphois) refers to a large group of believers, emphasizing the widespread and public nature of Christ's post-resurrection appearances. The term "brothers" indicates fellow believers, suggesting a community of faith that witnessed the risen Lord. This large number of witnesses serves as a powerful testimony to the truth of the resurrection, providing a strong apologetic argument against skepticism.

at once
The Greek phrase "ἐφάπαξ" (ephapax) means "at one time" or "simultaneously." This detail highlights the collective experience of the witnesses, reinforcing the credibility of their testimony. It suggests that the appearance was not a series of individual hallucinations but a shared encounter with the risen Christ, further validating the historical reality of the resurrection.

most of whom are still living
This phrase indicates that at the time of Paul's writing, the majority of these witnesses were still alive and could corroborate the account. The Greek word "μένει" (menei) means "remain" or "are living," underscoring the accessibility of these witnesses to the early Christian community. This availability of firsthand testimony would have strengthened the early church's proclamation of the resurrection and provided a tangible link to the events described.

though some have fallen asleep
The term "κεκοιμήθησαν" (kekoimēthēsan) is a euphemism for death, often used in the New Testament to describe the death of believers. It reflects the Christian hope in the resurrection, viewing death as a temporary state akin to sleep, with the expectation of awakening to eternal life. This phrase offers comfort and assurance to believers, affirming that those who have died in Christ will be raised to new life, just as He was.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The central figure of the resurrection appearances, affirming His victory over death and His divine nature.

2. The Five Hundred Brothers
A large group of believers who witnessed the resurrected Christ, providing substantial evidence for the resurrection.

3. Paul the Apostle
The author of 1 Corinthians, who emphasizes the resurrection as a foundational truth of the Christian faith.

4. Corinth
The city where the Corinthian church was located, to whom Paul was writing this letter.

5. Resurrection Appearances
Events where the risen Christ appeared to His followers, strengthening their faith and commissioning them for ministry.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Eyewitness Testimony
The appearance to over five hundred people provides a strong historical basis for the resurrection, encouraging believers to trust in the truth of the Gospel.

The Reality of the Resurrection
The resurrection is not a myth or metaphor but a historical event witnessed by many, affirming the power of God over death.

Living Witnesses
At the time of Paul's writing, many witnesses were still alive, offering the Corinthians an opportunity to verify the truth of the resurrection.

Hope Beyond Death
The phrase "fallen asleep" indicates the temporary nature of death for believers, offering hope of eternal life through Christ.

The Call to Share the Gospel
Just as the witnesses of the resurrection were called to share what they had seen, believers today are called to testify to the truth of the Gospel.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the large number of witnesses to the resurrection strengthen your faith in the truth of the Gospel?

2. In what ways can the reality of the resurrection impact your daily life and decisions?

3. How can you be a living witness to the resurrection of Christ in your community?

4. What does the hope of resurrection mean to you personally, especially in times of loss or grief?

5. How can the example of the early witnesses inspire you to share the Gospel with others?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 28:16-20
The Great Commission, where Jesus appears to His disciples and commands them to make disciples of all nations.

Acts 1:3
Describes Jesus appearing to His disciples over forty days, providing many convincing proofs of His resurrection.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Discusses the hope of resurrection for believers, connecting to the theme of resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15.

John 20:19-29
Jesus appears to His disciples, including Thomas, who initially doubted, highlighting the importance of faith in the resurrection.

Hebrews 11:1
Faith is described as confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see, relevant to believing in the resurrection.
Remaining and Falling AsleepAlexander Maclaren1 Corinthians 15:6
Some are Fallen AsleepJ.R. Thomson 1 Corinthians 15:6
The Gospel Which Paul PreachedE. Hurndall 1 Corinthians 15:1-8
Difficulties in the Way of Disbelief in the Resurrection of ChristProf. Christlieb.1 Corinthians 15:1-12
How Ought the Gospel to be PreachedJ. Lyth, D.D.1 Corinthians 15:1-12
No-Resurrection ImpossibleG. Matheson, D.D.1 Corinthians 15:1-12
Paul's GospelA. Maclaren, D.D.1 Corinthians 15:1-12
The Apostolic GospelD. Thomas, D.D.1 Corinthians 15:1-12
The Certainty of the GospelJ. Lyth, D.D.1 Corinthians 15:1-12
The Gospel Which Paul PreachedJ. Cochrane, A.M.1 Corinthians 15:1-12
The Resurrection of ChristF. W. Robertson, M.A.1 Corinthians 15:1-12
The Resurrection of ChristM. Dods, D.D.1 Corinthians 15:1-12
The Exposition and Defence of the ResurrectionJ.R. Thomson 1 Corinthians 15:1-58
Appearances of the Risen RedeemerD. Thomas, D.D.1 Corinthians 15:5-8
Death as SleepTennyson.1 Corinthians 15:5-8
Fallen Asleep1 Corinthians 15:5-8
More than Five Hundred WitnessesJ. Lyth, D.D.1 Corinthians 15:5-8
Seen of JamesJ. W. Burn.1 Corinthians 15:5-8
Sleep the Time of GrowthS. T. Coleridge.1 Corinthians 15:5-8
The Appearances of Christ After His ResurrectionJ. Lyth, D.D.1 Corinthians 15:5-8
The Character and Death of the SaintsW. Hodson.1 Corinthians 15:5-8
The Evidence for the ResurrectionC. Hodge, D.D.1 Corinthians 15:5-8
The Infallible Proofs of Our Lord's ResurrectionJ. Lyth, D.D.1 Corinthians 15:5-8
What the Sight of the Risen Christ Makes Life and DeathA. Maclaren, D.D.1 Corinthians 15:5-8
Apostolic Testimony to Christ's Resurrection, and Testimony of OthersC. Lipscomb 1 Corinthians 15:5-11
People
Adam, Cephas, Corinthians, James, Paul, Peter
Places
Corinth, Ephesus
Topics
Afterwards, Alive, Although, Appeared, Asleep, Brethren, Brothers, Fall, Fallen, Greater, Hundred, Present, Sleeping, Though, Till
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Corinthians 15:6

     5535   sleep, and death
     9022   death, believers
     9105   last things

1 Corinthians 15:1-7

     2555   Christ, resurrection appearances

1 Corinthians 15:1-8

     2427   gospel, transmission

1 Corinthians 15:3-7

     5854   experience, of God
     8105   assurance, basis of
     8496   witnessing, importance

1 Corinthians 15:3-8

     1436   reality
     2421   gospel, historical foundation
     2560   Christ, resurrection
     9311   resurrection, of Christ

1 Corinthians 15:3-10

     7707   apostles, designation

1 Corinthians 15:5-7

     5472   proof, evidence

Library
The Image of the Earthly and the Heavenly
Eversley, Easter Day, 1871. 1 Cor. xv. 49. "As we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." This season of Easter is the most joyful of all the year. It is the most comfortable time, in the true old sense of that word; for it is the season which ought to comfort us most--that is, it gives us strength; strength to live like men, and strength to die like men, when our time comes. Strength to live like men. Strength to fight against the temptation which
Charles Kingsley—All Saints' Day and Other Sermons

Third Sunday after Easter Second Sermon.
Text: First Corinthians 15, 20-28. 20 But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

Fourth Sunday after Easter
Text: First Corinthians 15, 35-50. 35 But some one will say, How are the dead raised? and with what manner of body do they come? 36 Thou foolish one, that which thou thyself sowest is not quickened except it die: 37 and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not the body that shall be, but a bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other kind; 38 but God giveth it a body even as it pleased him, and to each seed a body of its own. 39 All flesh is not the same flesh; but there is one flesh of men,
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

Fifth Sunday after Easter
Text: First Corinthians 15, 51-58. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 But when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

Eleventh Sunday after Trinity Paul's Witness to Christ's Resurrection.
Text: 1 Corinthians 15, 1-10. 1 Now I make known unto you, brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand, 2 by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures; 5 and that
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Small Duties and the Great Hope
'But as touching brotherly love, ye need not that I write unto you; for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. 10. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; 11. And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12. That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. 13. But I would not have
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Christian and the Scientific Estimate of Sin
"Christ died for our sins."--I COR. XV. 3. Nothing is more characteristic of Christianity than its estimate of human sin. Historically, no doubt, this is due to the fact that the Lord and Master of Christians died "on account of sins." His death was due, as we have seen, both to the actual, definite sins of His contemporaries, and also to the irreconcilable opposition between His sinless life and the universal presence of sin in the world into which He came. But it is with the Christian estimate
J. H. Beibitz—Gloria Crucis

Outward and Inward Morality
OUTWARD AND INWARD MORALITY I Cor. xv. 10.--"The Grace of God." Grace is from God, and works in the depth of the soul whose powers it employs. It is a light which issues forth to do service under the guidance of the Spirit. The Divine Light permeates the soul, and lifts it above the turmoil of temporal things to rest in God. The soul cannot progress except with the light which God has given it as a nuptial gift; love works the likeness of God into the soul. The peace, freedom and blessedness of all
Johannes Eckhart—Meister Eckhart's Sermons

April the Sixth First-Hand Knowledge of Christ
"Last of all He was seen of me also." --1 CORINTHIANS xv. 1-11. And by that vision Saul of Tarsus was transformed. And so, by the ministry of a risen Lord we have received the gift of a transfigured Paul. The resurrection glory fell upon him, and he was glorified. In that superlative light he discovered his sin, his error, his need, but he also found the dynamic of the immortal hope. "Seen of me also!" Can I, too, calmly and confidently claim the experience? Or am I altogether depending upon another
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

April the Seventh if Christ were Dead!
1 CORINTHIANS xv. 12-26. "If Christ be not risen!" That is the most appalling "if" which can be flung into the human mind. If it obtains lodging and entertainment, all the fairest hopes of the soul wither away like tender buds which have been nipped by sharp frost! See how they fade! "Your faith is vain." It has no more strength and permanency than Jonah's gourd. Nay, it has really never been a living thing! It has been a pathetic delusion, beautiful, but empty as a bubble, and collapsing at
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Sudden Conversions.
"By the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain."--1 Cor. xv. 10. We can hardly conceive that grace, such as that given to the great Apostle who speaks in the text, would have been given in vain; that is, we should not expect that it would have been given, had it been foreseen and designed by the Almighty Giver that it would have been in vain. By which I do not mean, of course, to deny that God's gifts are oftentimes abused and wasted by man, which
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

Paul's Estimate of Himself
'By the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain.'--1 COR. xv. 10. The Apostle was, all his life, under the hateful necessity of vindicating his character and Apostleship. Thus here, though his main purpose in the context is simply to declare the Gospel which he preached, he is obliged to turn aside in order to assert, and to back up his assertion, that there was no sort of difference between him and the other recognised teachers of Christian truth. He
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

The Unity of Apostolic Teaching
Whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.'--1 COR. xv. 11. Party spirit and faction were the curses of Greek civic life, and they had crept into at least one of the Greek churches--that in the luxurious and powerful city of Corinth. We know that there was a very considerable body of antagonists to Paul, who ranked themselves under the banner of Apollos or of Cephas i.e. Peter. Therefore, Paul, keenly conscious that he was speaking to some unfriendly critics, hastens in the
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

The Certainty and Joy of the Resurrection
'But now is Christ risen from the dead ... the first fruits of them that slept.'--1 COR. xv. 20. The Apostle has been contemplating the long train of dismal consequences which he sees would arise if we only had a dead Christ. He thinks that he, the Apostle, would have nothing to preach, and we, nothing to believe. He thinks that all hope of deliverance from sin would fade away. He thinks that the one fact which gives assurance of immortality having vanished, the dead who had nurtured the assurance
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Remaining and Falling Asleep
'After that He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.'--1 COR. xv. 6. There were, then, some five-and-twenty years after the Resurrection, several hundred disciples who were known amongst the churches as having been eyewitnesses of the risen Saviour. The greater part survived; some, evidently a very few, had died. The proportion of the living to the dead, after five-and-twenty years, is generally the opposite.
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

The Death of Death
'But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept. 21. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.... 50. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump, (for the trumpet shall sound;) and the dead shall
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

The Power of the Resurrection
'I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; 4. And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.'--1 COR. xv. 3, 4. Christmas day is probably not the true anniversary of the Nativity, but Easter is certainly that of the Resurrection. The season is appropriate. In the climate of Palestine the first fruits of the harvest were ready at the Passover for presentation in the Temple.
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

On the Atonement.
"How that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures."-1 Cor. xv. 3. "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."-2 Cor. v. 21. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."-Rom. v. 8. "The Lord is well pleased for his Righteousness' sake: he will magnify the law and make it honorable."-Isa. xlii. 21. "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation, through faith in his blood,
Charles G. Finney—Sermons on Gospel Themes

Victory Over Death.
Preached May 16, 1852. VICTORY OVER DEATH. "The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."--1 Cor. xv. 56, 57. On Sunday last I endeavoured to bring before you the subject of that which Scripture calls the glorious liberty of the Sons of God. The two points on which we were trying to get clear notions were these: what is meant by being under the law, and what is meant by being free from the law? When
Frederick W. Robertson—Sermons Preached at Brighton

Thoughts on the Last Battle
When I select such a text as this, I feel that I cannot preach from it. The thought o'ermasters me; my words do stagger; there are no utterances that are great enough to convey the mighty meaning of this wondrous text. If I had the eloquence of all men united in one, if I could speak as never man spake (with the exception of that one godlike man of Nazareth), I could not compass so vast a subject as this. I will not therefore pretend to do so, but offer you such thoughts as my mind is capable of
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855

"Alas for Us, if Thou Wert All, and Nought Beyond, O Earth"
We will try and handle our text this morning in this way. First, we are not of all men most miserable; but secondly, without the hope of another life we should be--that we are prepared to confess--because thirdly, our chief joy lies in the hope of a life to come; and thus, fourthly, the future influences the present; and so, in the last place, we may to-day judge what our future is to be. I. First then, WE ARE NOT OF ALL MEN MOST MISERABLE. Who ventures to say we are? He who will have the hardihood
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 10: 1864

A Leap Year Sermon *
"One born out of due time."--1 Corinthians 15:8. PAUL THUS DESCRIBES himself. It was necessary that Paul, as an apostle, should have seen the Lord. He was not converted at the time of Christ's ascension; yet he was made an apostle, for the Lord Jesus appeared to him in the way, as he was going to Damascus, to persecute the saints of God. When he looked upon himself as thus put in, as it were, at the end of the apostles, he spoke of himself in the most depreciating terms, calling himself "one born
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 46: 1900

Resurgam
I propose this morning, as God shall enable, to listen to that voice of spring, proclaiming the doctrine of the resurrection, a meditation all the more appropriate from the fact, that the Sabbath before last we considered the subject of Death, and I hope that then very solemn impressions were made upon our minds. May the like impressions now return, accompanied with more joyous ones, when we shall look beyond the grave, through the valley of the shadow of death, to that bright light in the distance--the
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 6: 1860

28TH DAY. A Joyful Resurrection.
"He is Faithful that Promised." "This corruptible must put on incorruption."--1 COR. xv. 53. A Joyful Resurrection. Marvel of marvels? The sleeping ashes of the sepulchre starting at the tones of the archangel's trumpet!--the dishonoured dust, rising a glorified body, like its risen Lord's? At death, the soul's bliss is perfect in kind; but this bliss is not complete in degree, until reunited to the tabernacle it has left behind to mingle with the sods of the valley. But tread lightly on that grave,
John Ross Macduff—The Faithful Promiser

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