1 Corinthians 15:13

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} if {G1487} there be {G2076} no {G3756} resurrection {G386} of the dead {G3498}, then {G3761} is {G1453} Christ {G5547} not {G3761} risen {G1453}:

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:

Commentary

### 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](/1_corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection Chapter") 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](/1_corinthians/15-3-8 "1 Corinthians 15:3-8 - The Eyewitnesses of Christ's Resurrection")) 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](/1_corinthians/15-13 "1 Corinthians 15:13 - The Resurrection of Christ and the Dead") is part of a series of "if...then" statements ([1 Corinthians 15:12-19](/1_corinthians/15-12-19 "1 Corinthians 15:12-19 - The Consequences of Denying the Resurrection")) 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](/1_corinthians/1 "1 Corinthians - Paul's First Letter to the 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](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ as the Firstfruits")) 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
* **resurrection (Greek, _anástasis'_):** (G386) From ἀνίστημι (anístēmi), meaning "a standing up again." This term denotes a literal raising from death, specifically a bodily resurrection. Paul is not speaking of a mere spiritual awakening or the immortality of the soul, but a physical reanimation and transformation. In this context, it refers to the general resurrection of the dead, which Paul argues is inextricably linked to Christ's own resurrection.
* **dead (Greek, _nekrós'_):** (G3498) From an apparently primary root (a corpse). This word refers to those who are physically deceased, literally "corpses." Its use here emphasizes the physical reality of death, and thus the physical reality of the "standing up again" from that state. Paul is addressing the resurrection of actual deceased human bodies, not merely a spiritual concept.
* **risen (Greek, _egeírō'_):** (G1453) Probably akin to the base of ἀγορά (agorá) through the idea of collecting one's faculties. This verb means "to waken," "to rouse," or "to raise up." When used of Christ's resurrection, it signifies a completed action with ongoing results, indicating His permanent victory over death and His present exalted state. The perfect tense (ἐγήγερται - egēgertai) in the underlying Greek emphasizes the enduring reality and impact of Christ's resurrection.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But if there be no resurrection of the dead":** This clause introduces a hypothetical condition, a premise for Paul's logical argument. The "if" (G1487, _ei_) sets up a conditional statement, inviting the Corinthians to consider the consequences of their denial. The phrase "no resurrection of the dead" directly addresses the specific theological error or skepticism present in the Corinthian church, where some were denying the future resurrection of deceased believers.
* **"then is Christ not risen":** This is the devastating logical conclusion that Paul draws from the initial premise. If the very concept of "resurrection of the dead" is false or impossible, then Christ, who was demonstrably dead, could not have been "raised" (G1453, _egeírō_). Paul forces the Corinthians to confront the fact that their denial of a general resurrection fundamentally undermines the unique and central event of Christ's own resurrection, thereby collapsing the entire framework of Christian faith.

#### Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs a **Hypothetical Syllogism** in [1 Corinthians 15:13](/1_corinthians/15-13 "1 Corinthians 15:13 - The Resurrection of Christ and the Dead"), 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](/1_corinthians/15-13 "1 Corinthians 15:13 - The Resurrection of Christ and the Dead") 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.

* [Romans 8:11](/romans/8-11 "Romans 8:11 - The Spirit of Him Who Raised Jesus")
* [Philippians 3:20-21](/philippians/3-20-21 "Philippians 3:20-21 - Our Citizenship and Transformed Bodies")
* [John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[1 Corinthians 15:13](/1_corinthians/15-13 "1 Corinthians 15:13 - The Resurrection of Christ and the Dead") 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
* **How does the logical connection Paul makes in this verse deepen your appreciation for the necessity of Christ's resurrection?**
* **In what ways might a denial of the resurrection, whether explicit or implicit, impact a believer's daily life and hope?**
* **How can the truth that Christ's resurrection guarantees our own future resurrection provide comfort and strength in the face of death or loss?**

### 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](/1_corinthians/15-13 "1 Corinthians 15:13 - The Resurrection of Christ and the Dead") is rooted in his understanding of Christ as the "firstfruits" of the resurrection ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ as the Firstfruits")). 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](/1_corinthians/15-13 "1 Corinthians 15:13 - The Resurrection of Christ and the Dead") powerfully articulates the Christ-centered nature of the resurrection hope. The entire argument of [1 Corinthians 15](/1_corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection Chapter") 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](/colossians/1-18 "Colossians 1:18 - Christ as the Head of the Body")), the one through whom "death is swallowed up in victory" ([1 Corinthians 15:54](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54 - Death Swallowed Up in Victory")). 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](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Walking in Newness of Life")). 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](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")).

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

John 11:25

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

John 11:26

And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Romans 8:11

But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

1 Thessalonians 4:14

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

Revelation 1:18

[I am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

1 Peter 1:3

¶ Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

2 Corinthians 4:10

Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.