What does 'wherein you stand' mean in 1 Corinthians 15:1?
It means positionally. Paul describes the Gospel the Corinthians received, in which they stand positionally, and by which they are saved if they keep in memory what was preached, unless they have believed in vain. This standing is grounded in the Gospel.
Les explains that the phrase 'wherein you stand' is clarified as 'that is positionally.' The standing of the believers addressed is therefore positional, rooted in the Gospel Paul preached and they received. That same Gospel is the means by which they are saved, if they keep in memory what was preached, unless they have believed in vain. Les also notes that salvation is based upon the Gospel, and that Paul insists he did not receive his Gospel from the earthly ministry of Christ or from the Twelve, but through private seminary training with the ascended Lord. First Corinthians 15:1-4 lays out the Gospel completely, clearly, and simply, and salvation involves far more than merely escaping hell and going to heaven.
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
More Questions
What does 1 Corinthians 15:2 mean by 'lest you believe in vain'?
Les teaches that believers experience salvation through the gospel only when they keep in memory what Paul preached, and this means they must know what they believe and understand what the gospel is about, otherwise they believe in vain.