Curated by Justin Bailey
In one sentence: Paul's reference to "according to the scriptures" in 1 Corinthians 15 is viewed by many as a claim aligning Christ's death and resurrection with Old Testament prophecies, but its accuracy regarding original scriptural intent can be debated.
Why it matters:
Understanding Paul's reference is crucial because it links the foundational Christian belief in Jesus’ resurrection with the Hebrew Scriptures. This association plays a significant role in how Christians perceive the continuity and fulfillment of biblical prophecy through Jesus.
State of play:
In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul emphasizes that Christ died for our sins and was raised on the third day "according to the scriptures." This phrase suggests that the events of Jesus’ death and resurrection were foretold in the Jewish Scriptures, which are primarily understood to refer to passages like Psalm 16:10, Isaiah 53, and possibly Hosea 6:2. These texts are seen by Christian theologians as prophetic about the Messiah’s suffering, death, and victory over death.
Yes, but:
The interpretation of these Old Testament scriptures as messianic prophecies is mostly a Christian perspective. Jewish interpretations often differ significantly, viewing these passages in entirely different contexts unrelated to messianic prophecies or resurrection. For example, Isaiah 53 is traditionally seen by Jews as referring to the nation of Israel itself, suffering innocently.
What skeptics say:
Skeptics argue that Paul's claim of "according to the scriptures" is an example of the New Testament authors interpreting Jewish scriptures through a heavily biased, post-event lens. They suggest that these interpretations were crafted to validate the emerging Christian theology rather than reflecting the original intent of the scriptures.
Between the lines:
Paul’s writings indicate an early Christian belief that Jesus' life events fulfilled Jewish prophecies, shaping the nascent theology that distinguished Christianity from Judaism. Whether these interpretations align with the original meanings of the scriptures depends significantly on theological perspective and the hermeneutical approach to the texts.
Zoom out:
The issue of whether Paul’s reference to the scriptures accurately represents their original meaning is part of a broader discussion about scriptural interpretation and the relationship between the Old and New Testaments. This dialogue involves both affirmations of prophecy fulfillment and critical challenges to retrospective interpretations.
The bottom line:
While Paul asserts that Jesus’ death and resurrection occurred "according to the scriptures," indicating a fulfillment of prophecy, whether this aligns with the original intent of those scriptures is subject to theological interpretation and debate. This reference serves more to articulate and affirm Christian doctrinal positions than to assert an objective reading of Jewish texts.
Follow Up Questions
How does Paul’s use of "according to the scriptures" in 1 Corinthians 15 reflect the early Christian community's approach to interpreting Hebrew Scriptures? (Coming Soon)
What are the specific Old Testament scriptures that Paul might be referencing in 1 Corinthians 15 when he mentions "according to the scriptures"? (Coming Soon)
How do Jewish interpretations of the passages cited as messianic prophecies in 1 Corinthians 15 differ from Christian interpretations? (Coming Soon)
In what ways have modern biblical scholars challenged the traditional Christian understanding of the scriptures referenced in 1 Corinthians 15? (Coming Soon)
Can the claim of prophecy fulfillment in 1 Corinthians 15 be substantiated by historical and textual analysis of the Old Testament? (Coming Soon)
What implications does the interpretation of "according to the scriptures" in 1 Corinthians 15 have for interfaith dialogue between Christians and Jews? (Coming Soon)
How do various Christian denominations interpret Paul's assertion that Christ died and was resurrected "according to the scriptures"? (Coming Soon)
What role does the concept of prophecy fulfillment play in the foundational beliefs of Christianity as illustrated by 1 Corinthians 15? (Coming Soon)
How does the hermeneutical approach to Old Testament texts affect the interpretation of New Testament references such as Paul's in 1 Corinthians 15? (Coming Soon)
To what extent does the retrospective interpretation of Jewish scriptures as messianic prophecies impact the authenticity of Christian scriptural claims? (Coming Soon)
Justin Bailey – Creator of ChristianAnswers.ai
All answers are curated and manually reviewed prior to being posted. Multiple language models are used to assist with verification.