1 Corinthians 15:12

KJV

¶ Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G1161} if {G1487} Christ {G5547} be preached {G2784} that {G3754} he rose {G1453} from {G1537} the dead {G3498}, how {G4459} say {G3004} some {G5100} among {G1722} you {G5213} that {G3754} there is {G2076} no {G3756} resurrection {G386} of the dead {G3498}?

Complete Jewish Bible

But if it has been proclaimed that the Messiah has been raised from the dead, how is it that some of you are saying there is no such thing as a resurrection of the dead?

Berean Standard Bible

But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

American Standard Version

Now if Christ is preached that he hath been raised from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 15:12, the Apostle Paul directly challenges a dangerous theological error prevalent among some believers in Corinth: the denial of a future resurrection of the dead. Having just meticulously laid out the historical evidence for Christ's resurrection, Paul confronts the profound inconsistency of affirming Christ's bodily rising while simultaneously rejecting the possibility or reality of a general resurrection for all believers, thereby undermining the very foundation of Christian hope and the gospel message.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a pivotal rhetorical question within Paul's extensive and robust defense of the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15. Prior to this, Paul establishes the undeniable historical fact of Christ's resurrection, listing numerous eyewitnesses, including Peter, the twelve, over five hundred brethren at once, James, all the apostles, and finally himself (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). He presents Christ's resurrection not as a mere belief but as a foundational event, "according to the scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3), which was seen and verified. Verse 12 then marks a crucial transition, moving from the affirmation of Christ's resurrection to the logical implications for the resurrection of all believers, setting the stage for Paul's subsequent arguments about the futility of faith, preaching, and suffering if there is no resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:13-19).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a vibrant, cosmopolitan hub, a melting pot of various philosophical and religious ideas. Greek philosophy, particularly Platonism and Stoicism, often held a dualistic view of humanity, valuing the immortal soul while despising the physical body, viewing it as a prison or a temporary vessel. For many Greeks, the idea of a bodily resurrection was deemed absurd or undesirable, as it implied a return to the perceived limitations and corruptibility of the physical realm. This cultural disdain for the body and the concept of a physical resurrection had evidently infiltrated the Corinthian church, leading some members to deny this core Christian doctrine. Paul's letter directly addresses these external philosophical influences that threatened to corrupt the purity of the gospel message within the community.
* **Key Themes:** This verse is central to several key themes in 1 Corinthians and the broader New Testament. It highlights the **centrality of Christ's resurrection** as the cornerstone of Christian faith; Paul assumes the Corinthians accept this truth, making their denial of a general resurrection illogical. It exposes the **logical inconsistency** of holding contradictory beliefs, forcing the Corinthians to confront the implications of their skepticism. The verse also underscores the **foundation of Christian hope**, demonstrating that if Christ's resurrection is true, then the promise of future resurrection for believers is equally valid, providing hope beyond death. This hope is vital, as Paul argues in [1 Corinthians 15:19](/1_corinthians/15-19 "1 Corinthians 15:19 - If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."). Finally, it exemplifies Paul's unwavering commitment to **addressing heresy** and defending the integrity of the gospel, particularly the eschatological hope that defines Christian existence, which is further elaborated in [1 Corinthians 15](/1_corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection Chapter").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **preached (Greek, _kērýssō'_):** This term means "to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel)." It implies a public, authoritative, and clear proclamation. Paul emphasizes that Christ's resurrection was not a private revelation but a widely announced and foundational truth of the Christian message, central to their initial conversion and ongoing faith.
* **rose (Greek, _egeírō'_):** This verb means "to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e. rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from obscurity, inactivity, ruins, nonexistence)." In the context of "from the dead," it specifically denotes a physical raising from death, emphasizing the bodily nature of Christ's resurrection, which is crucial to Paul's argument for a bodily resurrection of believers.
* **resurrection (Greek, _anástasis'_):** Derived from _anístēmi_ (to stand up again), this word literally means "a standing up again" or "a raising up from death." It consistently refers to a physical, bodily raising, not merely the survival of a soul or a spiritual awakening. Paul's entire argument in 1 Corinthians 15 hinges on this concrete, physical understanding of resurrection, applying it equally to Christ and to future believers.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead,"**: This clause establishes the premise, a truth universally accepted by the Corinthian church and central to the apostolic message. Paul begins with what they already affirm—the historical, preached fact of Christ's bodily resurrection from the realm of the dead. The "if" here is not an expression of doubt, but rather a logical connector, meaning "since" or "granted that."
* **"how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?"**: This is Paul's rhetorical question, exposing the glaring contradiction. If they accept the resurrection of Christ, a specific individual, how can they simultaneously deny the very concept of resurrection for others, particularly the general resurrection of all people? This highlights the illogical and inconsistent nature of their skepticism, which undermines the very foundation of the gospel they claim to believe.

#### Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs **Rhetorical Question** in this verse to highlight the logical inconsistency of the Corinthian skeptics. By posing the question, "how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?", he doesn't seek information but rather forces his audience to confront the absurdity of their position. The question functions as a powerful **A Fortiori Argument**, implying: if the greater (Christ's resurrection) is true, how can the lesser (a general resurrection) be denied? This device effectively corners his opponents, making their denial appear irrational in light of their accepted belief in Christ's rising. Furthermore, there is an element of **Juxtaposition**, placing the affirmed truth of Christ's resurrection directly against the denied truth of a general resurrection, thereby emphasizing the stark contradiction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Corinthians 15:12 is a theological linchpin, asserting that the resurrection of Christ is not an isolated event but the foundational guarantee for the future resurrection of all believers. To deny the general resurrection is to undermine the very power of God demonstrated in Christ and to strip the Christian faith of its ultimate hope beyond death. Paul argues that if Christ did not rise, then the entire Christian message is futile, faith is empty, and believers are still in their sins, with those who have died in Christ having perished (1 Corinthians 15:13-19). The resurrection is thus inextricably linked to justification, sanctification, and eternal life, demonstrating God's ultimate victory over sin and death and providing the eschatological hope that defines Christian existence.

* [Romans 8:11](/romans/8-11 "Romans 8:11 - The Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies")
* [Philippians 3:20-21](/philippians/3-20-21 "Philippians 3:20-21 - Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we await a Savior, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body")
* [John 5:28-29](/john/5-28-29 "John 5:28-29 - All who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 15:12 compels us to examine the coherence of our own faith and the depth of our hope. In a world often characterized by a denial of the supernatural, or a spiritualization of biblical truths, this verse calls us back to the concrete, historical reality of Christ's bodily resurrection and its profound implications for our own future. The hope of resurrection is not merely a comforting thought for the afterlife; it transforms our present reality, providing courage in suffering, perseverance in ministry, and a clear motivation for holy living. If our bodies are destined for resurrection and glorification, then they are not to be despised or used for sin, but to be instruments of righteousness. This truth offers profound comfort in grief, knowing that death is not the end for those in Christ, but a transition to a glorious future where bodies will be reunited with souls, perfected and immortal. It fuels our evangelism, as we proclaim a Savior who has conquered death, offering true and lasting hope to a dying world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the historical reality of Christ's resurrection strengthen your personal faith and hope for the future?**
* **In what ways might a denial or downplaying of the bodily resurrection impact a believer's daily life and ethical choices?**
* **How can the hope of resurrection provide comfort and perspective in times of personal loss or suffering?**
* **What practical steps can you take to live more fully in light of your future resurrection?**

### FAQ
**Why was the resurrection of the dead a controversial idea in Corinth?**

Answer: The concept of a bodily resurrection was highly controversial in Corinth primarily due to the prevailing Greek philosophical currents of the time. Many Greek philosophies, such as Platonism and Stoicism, held a dualistic view of humanity, where the soul was considered immortal and good, while the physical body was often seen as a temporary, corruptible prison. For these thinkers, the idea of the soul being reunited with a physical body after death was not only undesirable but also illogical and absurd. They preferred the idea of the soul escaping the body to achieve a purely spiritual existence. This cultural and philosophical disdain for the material body directly clashed with the Christian doctrine of a physical resurrection, which posits that God will raise believers' bodies, transforming them into glorious, imperishable forms (as described later in [1 Corinthians 15:42-44](/1_corinthians/15-42-44 "1 Corinthians 15:42-44 - The Resurrection Body")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 15:12 powerfully articulates the Christ-centered nature of the resurrection hope. Christ's resurrection is not merely an isolated miracle but the prototype and guarantee of the future resurrection of all who are "in Christ." He is the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ the Firstfruits")), meaning His resurrection inaugurates and ensures the resurrection of all believers. Just as sin and death entered the world through one man, Adam, so too life and resurrection are brought through one man, Christ ([1 Corinthians 15:21-22](/1_corinthians/15-21-22 "1 Corinthians 15:21-22 - As in Adam all die, so in Christ all shall be made alive")). His victory over death on the cross and in the empty tomb means that death has lost its sting for those who believe ([1 Corinthians 15:55-57](/1_corinthians/15-55-57 "1 Corinthians 15:55-57 - O death, where is thy sting?")). The resurrected Christ is the living proof that God's power extends beyond the grave, promising a future where our perishable bodies will be raised imperishable, our mortal bodies immortal, fashioned like His glorious body ([Philippians 3:21](/philippians/3-21 "Philippians 3:21 - He will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body")). Thus, Christ is not just the subject of the resurrection, but its very source and assurance.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 17:32

¶ And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this [matter].

Acts 26:8

Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?

2 Timothy 2:18

Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

Acts 23:8

For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

1 Corinthians 15:13

But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:

1 Corinthians 15:19

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

2 Thessalonians 2:17

Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.