1 corinthians 15:2 - by which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "1 corinthians 15:2" mean?
This verse, 1 Corinthians 15:2, is a crucial statement by the Apostle Paul about salvation. Let's break it down:
"by which also you are saved...": This refers back to the Gospel message that Paul had previously preached to the Corinthians. This message is defined in the preceding verses (1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-4): that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. Salvation is dependent on this Gospel message.
"...if you hold firmly to the word which I preached to you...": This is the conditional part. Salvation isn't a one-time event that guarantees future security regardless of one's beliefs or actions. It requires continuing belief and adherence to the core Gospel message. The phrase "hold firmly" implies a persistent, unwavering faith, not a fleeting or superficial acceptance. The Greek word used here suggests "holding fast," "keeping securely," or "clinging to."
"...unless you believed in vain.": This is the key warning. Paul suggests that it's possible to believe in vain. What does that mean? It implies a belief that:
Is superficial or lacks substance: It's not a deeply rooted conviction that transforms one's life.
Is distorted or deviates from the true Gospel: Believing something other than what Paul preached (the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ for sins) is a futile belief.
Is temporary or abandoned: If someone initially believes but later renounces their faith or lives in a way that contradicts their profession, their initial belief may have been "in vain."
Lacks genuine repentance and obedience: Faith without works is dead (James 2:26). A genuine faith produces a transformed life marked by a desire to follow Christ.
In summary, Paul is saying that salvation is received through faith in the Gospel, but that faith must be genuine, persistent, and transformative. It's not enough to simply hear the Gospel and intellectually assent to it. True salvation requires a living faith that holds fast to the truth and produces fruit in one's life. If someone doesn't "hold firmly" to the word, their initial belief may have been empty or ineffective.
Think of it like this: Imagine taking a medicine. The medicine (the Gospel) can heal you (save you). But you must actually take the medicine (believe in the Gospel) and continue taking it as prescribed (hold firmly to the faith). If you take a fake medicine, or take it only once and stop, or take it but then do things that counteract its effects, the medicine won't work.
This verse is often debated within Christian theology. It's important to study it in context and consider different perspectives on its meaning. However, the core message is clear: salvation requires a genuine, persevering faith in the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.
1 corinthians 15:2 - by which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
What does "1 corinthians 15:2" mean?
This verse, 1 Corinthians 15:2, is a crucial statement by the Apostle Paul about salvation. Let's break it down:
"by which also you are saved...": This refers back to the Gospel message that Paul had previously preached to the Corinthians. This message is defined in the preceding verses (1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-4): that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. Salvation is dependent on this Gospel message.
"...if you hold firmly to the word which I preached to you...": This is the conditional part. Salvation isn't a one-time event that guarantees future security regardless of one's beliefs or actions. It requires continuing belief and adherence to the core Gospel message. The phrase "hold firmly" implies a persistent, unwavering faith, not a fleeting or superficial acceptance. The Greek word used here suggests "holding fast," "keeping securely," or "clinging to."
"...unless you believed in vain.": This is the key warning. Paul suggests that it's possible to believe in vain. What does that mean? It implies a belief that:
Is superficial or lacks substance: It's not a deeply rooted conviction that transforms one's life.
Is distorted or deviates from the true Gospel: Believing something other than what Paul preached (the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ for sins) is a futile belief.
Is temporary or abandoned: If someone initially believes but later renounces their faith or lives in a way that contradicts their profession, their initial belief may have been "in vain."
Lacks genuine repentance and obedience: Faith without works is dead (James 2:26). A genuine faith produces a transformed life marked by a desire to follow Christ.
In summary, Paul is saying that salvation is received through faith in the Gospel, but that faith must be genuine, persistent, and transformative. It's not enough to simply hear the Gospel and intellectually assent to it. True salvation requires a living faith that holds fast to the truth and produces fruit in one's life. If someone doesn't "hold firmly" to the word, their initial belief may have been empty or ineffective.
Think of it like this: Imagine taking a medicine. The medicine (the Gospel) can heal you (save you). But you must actually take the medicine (believe in the Gospel) and continue taking it as prescribed (hold firmly to the faith). If you take a fake medicine, or take it only once and stop, or take it but then do things that counteract its effects, the medicine won't work.
This verse is often debated within Christian theology. It's important to study it in context and consider different perspectives on its meaning. However, the core message is clear: salvation requires a genuine, persevering faith in the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.