1 Corinthians 15:11

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Corinthians 15:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Whether then [it be] I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Whether then [it be] I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
1 Corinthians 15:11 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Corinthians 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11Whether then [it be] I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Therefore whether it were I or they, etc.] By whom Christ was seen first or last, we were all eyewitnesses of him; or whether I am the least, and others the chief of the apostles; or whether I have laboured more abundantly than they all, this matters not: so we preach; we agree in our ministry to preach Christ, and him only, and with one heart and mouth assert, that he died, was buried, and rose again the third day: and so ye believed; these several truths relating to the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Thus the apostle, after he had made a digression upon his own character, as one of the witnesses of Christ’s resurrection, returns to the subject he set out upon in the beginning…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“whether it were I or they--(the apostles) who "labored more abundantly" (Co1 15:10) in preaching, such was the substance of our preaching, namely, the truths stated in Co1 15:3-4.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Therefore, whether it were I or they - I or the other apostles. It is comparatively immaterial by whom it was done. The establishment of the truth is the great matter; and the question by whom it is done is one of secondary importance. So we preach - So we all preach. We all defend the same great doctrines; we all insist on the fact that the Lord Jesus died and rose; and this doctrine you all have believed. This doctrine is confirmed by all who preach; and this enters into the faith of all who believe. The design of Paul is to affirm that the doctrines which he here refers to were great, undeniable, and fundamental doctrines of Christianity; that they were proclaimed by “all” the ministers…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Whether I or they, so we preach - All of us speak the same thing. 1 Corinthians 15:12”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“15:11 The important thing is the message, not the messengers (cp. 1:10-12).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Co1 15:3, Co1 15:4, Co1 2:2 1 Corinthians 15:12”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification