The Meaning of 1 Corinthians 15:7 Explained

1 Corinthians 15:7

KJV: After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

YLT: afterwards he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.

Darby: Then he appeared to James; then to all the apostles;

ASV: then he appeared to James; then to all the apostles;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

After that,  he was seen  of James;  then  of all  the apostles. 

What does 1 Corinthians 15:7 Mean?

Verse Meaning

This James was most likely the half-brother of Jesus. He became the leader of the Jerusalem church (cf. Acts 15:13-21). The apostles as a group included Matthias, who was not one of the12original disciples. This probably refers to a collective appearance to all the apostles.

Context Summary

1 Corinthians 15:1-11 - The Gospel: Christ Died And Rose Again
If 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 is a psalm of love, this chapter is a psalm of hope-a hope that cannot be ashamed. It is the most memorable argument in existence for the resurrection of the body. We need hardly stay to distinguish between this and the immortality of the soul. The former is distinctly a Christian teaching; the latter has been held by vast numbers outside of the Christian pale.
Notice that the Resurrection was primarily not a doctrine but a fact. It is not necessary to argue it, but simply to say that Christ arose, therefore all will arise, because Christ is the Son of man. Other religions rest on foundations of philosophy and metaphysics, but the empty grave in Joseph's garden is the keystone of the arch. If that cannot be maintained, as it was in the primitive Church, the whole superstructure crumbles like a mass of clouds. But it can be maintained. There is even more evidence for it than for any fact of modern history. Men may as soon refuse to believe in the battle of Waterloo as in our Lord's resurrection. The testimony of Paul is most important, because he knew all that could be alleged or argued against it by the Pharisees. Indeed, he had himself opposed it. Note that the words, not I, 1 Corinthians 15:10, are also in 1 Corinthians 7:10 and Galatians 2:20. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Corinthians 15

1  By Christ's resurrection,
12  he proves the necessity of our resurrection,
16  against all such as deny the resurrection of the body
21  The fruit,
35  and the manner thereof;
51  and of the resurrection of those who shall be found alive at the last day

Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 15:7

To James [Ιακωβωι]
The brother of the Lord. This fact explains the presence of the brothers of Jesus in the upper room (Acts 1:14). [source]
To all the apostles [τοις αποστολοις πασιν]
The Ascension of Christ from Olivet. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 15:7

Acts 1:14 Continued [ησαν προσκαρτερουντες]
Periphrastic imperfect active of προσκαρτερεω — proskartereō old verb from προς — pros (perfective use) and καρτερεω — kartereō from καρτερος — karteros strong, steadfast, like the English “carry on.” Already in Mark 3:9 which see and several times in Acts and Paul‘s Epistles. They “stuck to” the praying Associative instrumental case plural of γυνη — gunē after συν — sun As one would expect when praying was the chief work on hand. More women certainly included than in Luke 8:2; Mark 15:40.; Matthew 27:55.; Luke 23:49; Mark 15:47; Matthew 27:61; Luke 23:55.; Mark 16:1; Matthew 28:1; Luke 24:1.; John 20:1, John 20:11-18; Matthew 28:9. There were probably other women also whose testimony was no longer scouted as it had been at first. Codex Bezae adds here “and children.” And Mary the mother of Jesus A delicate touch by Luke that shows Mary with her crown of glory at last. She had come out of the shadow of death with the song in her heart and with the realization of the angel‘s promise and the prophecy of Simeon. It was a blessed time for Mary. With his brethren (συν τοις αδελποις αυτου — sun tois adelphois autou). With his brothers, it should be translated. They had once disbelieved in him (John 7:5). Jesus had appeared to James (1 Corinthians 15:7) and now it is a happy family of believers including the mother and brothers (half-brothers, literally) of Jesus. They continue in prayer for the power from on high. [source]
Acts 1:14 And Mary the mother of Jesus [και Μαριαμ τηι μητρι του Ιησου]
A delicate touch by Luke that shows Mary with her crown of glory at last. She had come out of the shadow of death with the song in her heart and with the realization of the angel‘s promise and the prophecy of Simeon. It was a blessed time for Mary. With his brethren (συν τοις αδελποις αυτου — sun tois adelphois autou). With his brothers, it should be translated. They had once disbelieved in him (John 7:5). Jesus had appeared to James (1 Corinthians 15:7) and now it is a happy family of believers including the mother and brothers (half-brothers, literally) of Jesus. They continue in prayer for the power from on high. [source]
Acts 1:14 With his brethren [συν τοις αδελποις αυτου]
With his brothers, it should be translated. They had once disbelieved in him (John 7:5). Jesus had appeared to James (1 Corinthians 15:7) and now it is a happy family of believers including the mother and brothers (half-brothers, literally) of Jesus. They continue in prayer for the power from on high. [source]
Hebrews 12:9 Furthermore [εἷτα]
Everywhere else in N.T. this particle marks a succession of time or incident. See Mark 4:17; Mark 8:25; Luke 8:12; 1 Corinthians 15:5, 1 Corinthians 15:7. Here it introduces a new phase of the subject under discussion. [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Corinthians 15:7 mean?

Then He appeared to James then to the apostles all
ἔπειτα ὤφθη Ἰακώβῳ εἶτα τοῖς ἀποστόλοις πᾶσιν

ὤφθη  He  appeared 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: εἶδον 
Sense: to see with the eyes.
Ἰακώβῳ  to  James 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: Ἰάκωβος  
Sense: son of Zebedee, an apostle and brother of the apostle John, commonly called James the greater or elder, slain by Herod, Acts 2.
τοῖς  to  the 
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀποστόλοις  apostles 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀπόστολος  
Sense: a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders.

What are the major concepts related to 1 Corinthians 15:7?

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