1 Corinthians 15:6
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 Corinthians 15:6
**VERSE REFERENCE**
1 Corinthians 15:6: "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."
**Meaning & Context** (200 words)
Paul expands the resurrection appearances to include a mass sighting: more than five hundred believers at one time. This broad claim serves several purposes. First, it demonstrates the public, communal nature of the resurrection testimony, not a private vision. Second, by noting that most of these witnesses are still alive at the time of Paul’s writing, he invites his readers to verify the claim personally. The phrase “fallen asleep” is New Testament shorthand for death. In the Corinthian context—where skepticism and competing philosophies thrived—the sheer number of witnesses, plus the invitation to check with them, function as a persuasive device. Culturally, in both Jewish and Greco-Roman settings, testimony from many witnesses carried weight; the rhetorical move is to present eyewitnesses who could corroborate each other.
**Theological Significance** (150 words)
This verse deepens the doctrine of the resurrection by presenting a broad, verifiable witness pool. It signals that the risen Christ interacts with a diverse community, not just a select few. The presence of many witnesses anticipates further New Testament affirmations about the body’s transformation and the communal nature of the future resurrection. It also counters ideas of resurrection as mere soul-sleep or metaphorical restoration. The fact that “the greater part remain” underscores that the early church expected ongoing, confirmable testimony, which bolsters doctrinal integrity and helps unify early Christian belief around a historical event.
**Modern Application** (150 words)
- Seek community confirmation: discuss faith questions with a group, listen to multiple testimonies, and examine historical arguments together.
- When you hear a claim about faith, look for corroborating witnesses—whether from Scripture, tradition, or personal experience in community.
- Practically, engage in evangelism or apologetics with humility: invite questions and offer to connect seekers with trustworthy testimonies.
- Reflect on the reality of resurrection as a communal event: our faith is not isolated; it thrives within a community that testifies to God’s deeds.
**Cross-References**: Acts 2:41-42; Acts 10:41; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17; John 14:12; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8