What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 15:7? Then He appeared 1 Corinthians 15:7 opens with, “Then He appeared …,” reminding us that Paul is recounting a real, bodily resurrection sequence (see 1 Corinthians 15:4-6; Acts 1:3). • “Then” ties this sighting to earlier post-resurrection appearances, presenting a careful, chronological record. • The verb “appeared” insists on a physical encounter, just as Jesus showed His hands and side to the disciples in John 20:19-20 and even ate with them in Luke 24:41-43. • These concrete meetings ground our faith in historical fact, not religious imagination. to James “…to James…” pinpoints a personal visit to Jesus’ half-brother (Mark 6:3). • James had once been skeptical (John 7:5), yet after meeting the risen Christ he is found praying with the believers (Acts 1:14) and later leading the Jerusalem church (Galatians 2:9). • This transformation showcases the convincing power of the resurrection—nothing less than a living Savior could turn an unbelieving brother into a pillar of the early church. • By naming James, Paul invites his readers to verify the story with a well-known eyewitness still active in ministry (Galatians 1:19). then to all the apostles “…then to all the apostles.” After the private encounter with James, Jesus meets the larger leadership circle (Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:2-4). • Seeing Him together guards against claims of hallucination; multiple people shared the same experience at the same moment (John 21:14). • Their collective mandate—to preach a risen Lord to every nation (Matthew 28:16-20)—rests on this shared certainty. • The phrase “all the apostles” underscores unity: every recognized leader could testify, ensuring one harmonious gospel message (Acts 1:21-22). summary Paul’s brief line—“Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles”—packs a powerful evidential punch. A once-doubting sibling and an entire band of commissioned witnesses saw Jesus alive after the cross. Their transformed lives and unified testimony stand as historical anchors, assuring us that the resurrection is literal, reliable, and foundational for our own confident hope. |
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