TRV
Translation
Complete Jewish Bible
If there is no resurrection of the dead, then the Messiah has not been raised;
Berean Standard Bible
If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.
American Standard Version
But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither hath Christ been raised:
World English Bible Messianic
But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Messiah been raised.
Young's Literal Translation
and if there be no rising again of dead persons, neither hath Christ risen;
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In the KJVVerse 28,732 of 31,102
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Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15 verses 12–19
12 ¶ Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
Having confirmed the truth of our Saviour's resurrection, the apostle goes on to refute those among the Corinthians who said there would be none: If Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? Co1 15:12. It seems from this passage, and the course of the argument, there were some among the Corinthians who thought the resurrection an impossibility. This was a common sentiment among the heathens. But against this the apostle produces an incontestable fact, namely, the resurrection of Christ; and he goes on to argue against them from the absurdities that must follow from their principle. As,
I. If there be (can be) no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not risen (Co1 15:13); and again, "If the dead rise not, cannot be raised or recovered to life, then is Christ not raised, Co1 15:16. And yet it was foretold in ancient prophecies that he should rise; and it has been proved by multitudes of eye-witnesses that he had risen. And will you say, will any among you dare to say, that is not, cannot be, which God long ago said should be, and which is now undoubted matter of fact?"
II. It would follow hereupon that the preaching and faith of the gospel would be vain: If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith vain, Co1 15:14. This supposition admitted, would destroy the principal evidence of Christianity; and so, 1. Make preaching vain. "We apostles should be found false witnesses of God; we pretend to be God's witnesses for truth, and to work miracles by his power in confirmation of it, and are all the while deceivers, liars for God, if in his name, and by power received from him, we go forth, and publish and assert a thing false in fact, and impossible to be true. And does not this make us the vainest men in the world, and our office and ministry the vainest and most useless thing in the world? What end could we propose to ourselves in undertaking this hard and hazardous service, if we knew our religion stood on no better foundation, nay, if we were not well assured of the contrary? What should we preach for? Would not our labour be wholly in vain? We can have no very favourable expectations in this life; and we could have none beyond it. If Christ be not raised, the gospel is a jest; it is chaff and emptiness." 2. This supposition would make the faith of Christians vain, as well as the labours of ministers: If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; you are yet in your sins (Co1 15:17), yet under the guilt and condemnation of sin, because it is through his death and sacrifice for sin alone that forgiveness is to be had. We have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, Eph 1:7. No remission of sins is to be had but through the shedding of his blood. And had his blood been shed, and his life taken away, without ever being restored, what evidence could we have had that through him we should have justification and eternal life? Had he remained under the power of death, how could he have delivered us from its power? And how vain a thing is faith in him, upon this supposition! He must rise for our justification who was delivered for our sins, or in vain we look for any such benefit by him. There had been no justification nor salvation if Christ had not risen. And must not faith in Christ be vain, and of no signification, if he be still among the dead?
III. Another absurdity following from this supposition is that those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. if there be no resurrection, they cannot rise, and therefore are lost, even those who have died in the Christian faith, and for it. It is plain from this that those among the Corinthians who denied the resurrection meant thereby a state of future retribution, and not merely the revival of the flesh; they took death to be the destruction and extinction of the man, and not merely of the bodily life; for otherwise the apostle could not infer the utter loss of those who slept in Jesus, from the supposition that they would never rise more or that they had no hopes in Christ after life; for they might have hope of happiness for their minds if these survived their bodies, and this would prevent the limiting of their hopes in Christ to this life only. "Upon supposition there is no resurrection in your sense, no after-state and life, then dead Christians are quite lost. How vain a thing were our faith and religion upon this supposition!" And this,
IV. Would infer that Christ's ministers and servants were of all men most miserable, as having hope in him in this life only (Co1 15:19), which is another absurdity that would follow from asserting no resurrection. Their condition who hope in Christ would be worse than that of other men. Who hope in Christ. Note, All who believe in Christ have hope in him; all who believe in him as a Redeemer hope for redemption and salvation by him; but if there be no resurrection, or state of future recompence (which was intended by those who denied the resurrection at Corinth), their hope in him must be limited to this life: and, if all their hopes in Christ lie within the compass of this life, they are in a much worse condition than the rest of mankind, especially at that time, and under those circumstances, in which the apostles wrote; for then they had no countenance nor protection from the rulers of the world, but were hated and persecuted by all men. Preachers and private Christians therefore had a hard lot if in this life only they had hope in Christ. Better be any thing than a Christian upon these terms; for in this world they are hated, and hunted, and abused, stripped of all worldly comforts and exposed to all manner of sufferings: they fare much harder than other men in this life, and yet have no further nor better hopes. And is it not absurd for one who believes in Christ to admit a principle that involves so absurd an inference? Can that man have faith in Christ who can believe concerning him that he will leave his faithful servants, whether ministers or others, in a worse state than his enemies? Note, It were a gross absurdity in a Christian to admit the supposition of no resurrection or future state. It would leave no hope beyond this world, and would frequently make his condition the worst in the world. Indeed, the Christian is by his religion crucified to this world, and taught to live upon the hope of another. Carnal pleasures are insipid to him in a great degree; and spiritual and heavenly pleasures are those which he affects and pants after. How sad is his case indeed, if he must be dead to worldly pleasures and yet never hope for any better!
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 12–19. Public domain.
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Ignatius of AntiochAD 108
Epistle of Pseudo-Ignatius to the Tarsians
And that our bodies are to rise again, He shows when He says, "Verily I say unto you, that the hour cometh, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live." And [says] the apostle, "For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." And that we must live soberly and righteously, he [shows when he] says again, "Be not deceived: neither adulterers, nor effeminate persons, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor fornicators, nor revilers, nor drunkards, nor thieves, can inherit the kingdom of God." And again, "If the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised; our preaching therefore is vain, and your faith is also vain: ye are yet in your sins. Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. If the dead rise not, let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die." But if such be our condition and feelings, wherein shall we differ from asses and dogs, who have no care about the future, but think only of eating, and of indulging such appetites as follow after eating? For they are unacquainted with any intelligence moving within them.
IrenaeusAD 202
Against Heresies Book V
But now Christ has risen from the dead, the first-fruits of those that sleep; for as by man
TertullianAD 220
Against Marcion Book III
Moreover, they even show themselves to be false witnesses of God, because they testified that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise. And we remain in our sins still. And those who have slept in Christ have perished; destined, forsooth, to rise again, but peradventure in a phantom state, just like Christ.
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily on 1 Corinthians 39
"But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither hath Christ been raised."
Seest thou Paul's energy, and his spirit for the combat, so invincible? how not only from what is evident he demonstrates what is doubted, but also from what is doubted, endeavors to demonstrate to gainsayers the former evident proposition? Not because what had already taken place required demonstration, but that he might signify this to be equally worthy of belief with that.
"And what kind of consequence is this?" saith one. "For if Christ be not raised, that then neither should others be raised, doth follow: but that if others be not raised, neither should Christ be raised, what reason can there be in this?" Since then this doth not appear to be very reasonable, see how he works it out wisely, scattering his seeds beforehand from the beginning, even from the very groundwork of the Gospel: as, that "having died for our sins," He was raised; and that He is "the first-fruits of them that slept." For the first-fruits-of what can He be the first-fruits, except of them that are raised? And how can He be first-fruits, if they rise not of whom He is first-fruits? How then are they not raised?
Again, if they be not raised, wherefore was Christ raised? Wherefore came He? Wherefore did He take upon Him flesh, if he were not about to raise flesh again? For He stood not in need of it Himself but for our sakes. But these things he afterwards set down as he goes on; for the present he saith, "If the dead be not raised, neither hath Christ been raised," as though that were connected with this. For had He not intended to raise Himself, He would not have wrought that other work. Seest thou by degrees the whole economy overthrown by those words of theirs and by their unbelief in the resurrection? But as yet he saith nothing of the incarnation, but of the resurrection. For not His having become incarnate, but His having died, took away death; since while He had flesh, the tyranny of death still had dominion.
PelagiusAD 418
COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 15
The one depends on the other. Either you believe both, or you believe neither.
Severian of GabalaAD 425
PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH
Christ died and rose again for nothing if we are not to rise again as well.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Paul's comprehensive defense of the resurrection of the dead asserts a foundational truth: if the concept of a general resurrection of the dead is denied or invalidated, then it logically follows that Christ's own resurrection, which is the cornerstone of Christian faith, must also be false. This statement sets the stage for the profound implications that Paul will further explore regarding the futility of faith and preaching without the reality of Christ's resurrection.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: 1 Corinthians 15 is Paul's most extensive discourse on the resurrection, often dubbed the "Resurrection Chapter." The immediate preceding verses (e.g., 1 Corinthians 15:3-8) firmly establish the historical reality of Christ's resurrection through a list of eyewitnesses. Paul then transitions to address the skepticism within the Corinthian church regarding the future resurrection of believers. Verse 13 is part of a series of "if...then" statements (1 Corinthians 15:12-19) where Paul systematically exposes the devastating consequences of denying the resurrection of the dead, culminating in the declaration that if Christ has not been raised, then the entire Christian faith is baseless.
Historical & Cultural Context: The Corinthian church, situated in a major Greco-Roman city, was influenced by various philosophical currents prevalent at the time. Many Greek philosophical schools, such as Platonism and Stoicism, often held a dualistic view of reality, valuing the immortal soul while despising the physical body. For them, the idea of a bodily resurrection was often seen as absurd or undesirable, a return to the limitations of the flesh. This cultural disdain for the physical body likely contributed to the skepticism among some Corinthian believers regarding the resurrection of the dead. Paul's argument directly confronts this worldview by asserting the essential nature of a physical, bodily resurrection, both for Christ and for believers.
Key Themes: This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within 1 Corinthians and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it underscores the centrality of Christ's resurrection as the indispensable foundation of Christian faith and hope. Paul argues that Christ's resurrection is not an isolated event but the "firstfruits" (1 Corinthians 15:20) of the general resurrection. Secondly, Paul employs logical argumentation, specifically a form of reductio ad absurdum, to demonstrate the inherent incoherence of denying the general resurrection while affirming Christ's. If the concept of resurrection is impossible, then Christ's resurrection, which is a resurrection, must also be impossible. This logical connection highlights the interconnectedness of Christ's resurrection and the resurrection of believers, making the former the guarantee and prototype for the latter.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs a Hypothetical Syllogism in 1 Corinthians 15:13, structured as an "if...then" statement. This logical device allows him to present a premise ("if there is no resurrection of the dead") and then reveal its inescapable, dire conclusion ("then Christ has not been raised"). This particular syllogism functions as a Reductio ad Absurdum, a powerful rhetorical strategy where a proposition is disproven by showing that its logical consequences are absurd or impossible. By demonstrating that denying the general resurrection leads directly to the denial of Christ's resurrection—a truth the Corinthians presumably accepted—Paul exposes the irrationality and self-contradiction of their position. The logical force of this argument is designed to compel the Corinthians to reconsider their skepticism and affirm the reality of the resurrection.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Corinthians 15:13 is a pivotal statement that underscores the profound theological interconnectedness between the resurrection of Christ and the future resurrection of all believers. Paul argues that these two truths are not independent but are inextricably linked: if one is denied, the other necessarily falls. Christ's resurrection is presented not merely as a historical event, but as the prototype and guarantee of the believer's own future resurrection. It establishes the pattern for victory over death and serves as the ultimate validation of God's power and promises. To deny the resurrection of the dead is, therefore, to deny the very power that raised Christ, rendering the Christian hope null and void.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 15:13 compels us to reflect on the absolute centrality of the resurrection to our faith. In a world that often seeks to explain away the supernatural or reduce Christianity to a mere moral philosophy, Paul's stark logic reminds us that the resurrection is not an optional doctrine but the very bedrock of our hope. If Christ was not raised, then our faith is indeed futile, our sins remain, and those who have died in Christ have perished. But because He was raised, we have a living hope, a guarantee of our own future resurrection, and the assurance that death has been conquered. This truth should embolden our witness, anchor our hope in times of grief, and motivate us to live lives transformed by the power of the resurrected Christ, knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. It challenges us to confront any lingering skepticism within ourselves or our culture and to stand firm on the historical and theological reality of Christ's victory over the grave.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does Paul connect the general resurrection of the dead to Christ's resurrection so directly?
Answer: Paul's direct connection in 1 Corinthians 15:13 is rooted in his understanding of Christ as the "firstfruits" of the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20). For Paul, Christ's resurrection is not an isolated miracle but the inaugurating event of a new creation and the pattern for the future resurrection of all who belong to Him. If the very concept of "resurrection of the dead" is impossible or untrue, then Christ's resurrection—which is fundamentally a resurrection from the dead—must also be impossible. Paul uses this logical reductio ad absurdum to show the Corinthians that denying the general resurrection necessarily undermines the historical and theological foundation of their entire faith, including the resurrection of Jesus Himself.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 15:13 powerfully articulates the Christ-centered nature of the resurrection hope. The entire argument of 1 Corinthians 15 hinges on the fact that Jesus Christ is not merely a historical figure, but the very embodiment of the resurrection. His victory over death is the prototype and guarantee for all who believe. If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ's claims, His atoning work, and His ultimate triumph are all invalidated. However, because Christ is risen, He becomes "the firstborn from the dead" (Colossians 1:18), the one through whom "death is swallowed up in victory" (1 Corinthians 15:54). His resurrection is the divine "Amen" to His completed work on the cross, demonstrating His power to give new life and promising that "just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4). Thus, the resurrection of the dead is not a standalone concept but is entirely fulfilled and secured in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is "the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25).