Paul is now listing various ways in which readers are related to the gospel: (1) they had it preached to them, (2) they received it, (3) they stand firm in it, and (4) they are or will be saved by it (verse 2). Only in verse 3 does Paul state that he himself, like his readers, received the gospel from someone else.

Now is a legitimate addition in English to prepare the reader for the introduction of a completely new theme. One may also express this as “At this point….”

Brethren makes it clear that a new section is beginning. As in other places in this letter, brethren means “fellow Christians.”

In what terms makes the English sentence hard to understand. Good News Bible‘s “I want to remind you … of the Good News which I preached to you,” reflects the meaning quite accurately.

Preached: translators should remember that the content of this first Christian preaching by Paul was the story of Christ’s death and resurrection. Words that imply only moral exhortation should be avoided.

Gospel: see comments on 4.15.

Received is the same word, used in the same sense, as in 11.23. The word itself is quite common and general in meaning, but the context shows that Paul means something more active than merely hearing him preach. One may say “took to your hearts.”

Stand: see comments on 10.12.

The clause in which you stand may be restructured: “as a foundation on which your faith can stand firm.” Good News Bible adds “faith” to make it clear that the “standing firm” is figurative. Compare also 7.37 and Rom 11.20.

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .