Something Caught My Eye

Yesterday, we were in 1 Corinthians 15 (as I assume many congregations were), and I noticed something for the first time. In verses three and following, Paul tells the Corinthians that the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is absolutely essential to the Gospel and to verify its historical authenticity, he gives a long list of eyewitnesses to the risen Lord.

Now, it would be beside my point, but I can't resist pointing out that Paul is not giving a gospel tract definition of the Gospel: the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. You will notice that he gives four truths that are essential to the Gospel, each marked by the word "that" (οτι). And, as you can plainly see by the following verses, Paul's emphasis is on the fourth item (which most people conveniently overlook or omit).

My gaze fell on Paul's list in verses five through eight of those who were eyewitnesses to the resurrection:

• Cephas (Peter)
• The twelve
• More than five hundred brothers, most of whom were still alive
• James (presumably the half-brother of Jesus Christ)
• All the apostles
• Last of all, as to one untimely born, Paul

Do you notice anything strange about that list? See any redundancies? My guess is, that if I asked you who the phrase "all the apostles" referred to, you would answer, "the twelve disciples." At least that's what my first response would have been— but "the twelve" is already on that list. I suppose I would have to lump this under the "non-technical use of the word αποστολος."