King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 15:6 Mean?

1 Corinthians 15:6 in the King James Version says “After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but s...” — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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 · KJV

Context

4

And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

5

And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

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.

7

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

8

And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. one: or, an abortive

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once (ἔπειτα ὤφθη ἐπάνω πεντακοσίοις ἀδελφοῖς ἐφάπαξ)—The adverb ephapax (ἐφάπαξ, "at one time, simultaneously") demolishes the hallucination hypothesis—mass hallucinations of this scale are psychologically impossible. Paul provides 500+ eyewitnesses, many still living when he wrote (AD 55), inviting verification.

Of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep (ἐξ ὧν οἱ πλείονες μένουσιν ἕως ἄρτι, τινὲς δὲ ἐκοιμήθησαν)—Paul's phrase fallen asleep (ekoimēthēsan, ἐκοιμήθησαν) is the Christian euphemism for death, implying resurrection awaits (1 Thessalonians 4:13). This appearance, unrecorded in the Gospels, may be Matthew 28:16 or another Galilean event. The appeal to living witnesses is unprecedented in ancient literature—Paul invites fact-checking.

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Historical & Cultural Context

When Paul wrote (AD 55), Christ's resurrection was 25 years past, yet 'most' of 500+ witnesses still lived. This is powerful apologetic evidence—Paul couldn't make this claim if easily falsifiable. The Jerusalem church knew these people; skeptics could interview them.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the invitation to verify with living eyewitnesses demonstrate Paul's confidence in resurrection's historicity?
  2. Why does the simultaneity of 500+ witnesses present an insurmountable problem for naturalistic explanations?
  3. What does the phrase 'fallen asleep' reveal about early Christian confidence in resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 17 words
ἔπειτα1 of 17

“After that”

G1899

thereafter

ὤφθη2 of 17

“he was seen”

G3700

to gaze (i.e., with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from g0991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from g1

ἐπάνω3 of 17

“of above”

G1883

up above, i.e., over or on (of place, amount, rank, etc.)

πεντακοσίοις4 of 17

“five hundred”

G4001

five hundred

ἀδελφοῖς5 of 17

“brethren”

G80

a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)

ἐφάπαξ6 of 17

“at once”

G2178

upon one occasion (only)

ἐξ7 of 17

“of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

ὧν8 of 17

“whom”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

οἱ9 of 17
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πλείους10 of 17

“the greater part”

G4119

more in quantity, number, or quality; also (in plural) the major portion

μένουσιν11 of 17

“remain”

G3306

to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)

ἕως12 of 17

“unto”

G2193

a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)

ἄρτι13 of 17

“this present”

G737

just now

τινὲς14 of 17

“some”

G5100

some or any person or object

δὲ15 of 17

“but”

G1161

but, and, etc

καὶ16 of 17
G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐκοιμήθησαν·17 of 17

“are fallen asleep”

G2837

to put to sleep, i.e., (passively or reflexively) to slumber; figuratively, to decease

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Corinthians 15:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Corinthians 15:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 28:10Mark 16:7Acts 13:361 Corinthians 15:18Acts 7:602 Peter 3:4

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