1 Corinthians 15:14

KJV

And if Christ be not risen, then [is] our preaching vain, and your faith [is] also vain.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} if {G1487} Christ {G5547} be {G1453} not {G3756} risen {G1453}, then {G686} is our {G2257} preaching {G2782} vain {G2756}, and {G2532} your {G5216} faith {G4102} is {G1161} also {G2532} vain {G2756}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and if the Messiah has not been raised, then what we have proclaimed is in vain; also your trust is in vain;

Berean Standard Bible

And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is worthless, and so is your faith.

American Standard Version

and if Christ hath not been raised, then is our preaching vain, your faith also is vain.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Corinthians 15:14 stands as a foundational declaration in Paul's comprehensive defense of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, asserting that the entire edifice of Christian proclamation and personal faith is rendered utterly meaningless and without effect if Christ has not been physically raised from the dead. This verse encapsulates the absolute centrality of the resurrection as the historical and theological linchpin of the gospel message and the believer's hope, underscoring its non-negotiable status for the validity of Christianity itself.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within [1 Corinthians 15](/1_corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection Chapter"), often referred to as the "Resurrection Chapter," where the Apostle Paul provides an exhaustive argument for the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ and its implications for the resurrection of believers. Paul begins by reiterating the core gospel message, including Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, supported by numerous eyewitness accounts ([1 Corinthians 15:3-8](/1_corinthians/15-3-8 "1 Corinthians 15:3-8 - The Gospel and Eyewitnesses")). He then addresses the specific error prevalent in Corinthian circles – the denial of the resurrection of the dead ([1 Corinthians 15:12](/1_corinthians/15-12 "1 Corinthians 15:12 - If Christ is Preached as Raised")). Verse 14 serves as a crucial logical step in Paul's *reductio ad absurdum* argument, demonstrating the catastrophic consequences if the resurrection were false, leading into further dire implications in subsequent verses ([1 Corinthians 15:15-19](/1_corinthians/15-15-19 "1 Corinthians 15:15-19 - Dire Consequences of No Resurrection")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan hub, deeply influenced by Greek philosophy and Roman culture. Many prevailing philosophical schools, such as Platonism and Stoicism, often viewed the body as a prison or an inferior vessel, holding a low regard for physical existence and thus making the concept of a bodily resurrection seem absurd or undesirable. The idea of a spirit surviving death was acceptable, but a physical reanimation was largely foreign and often ridiculed (cf. [Acts 17:32](/acts/17-32 "Acts 17:32 - Response to Resurrection Preaching in Athens")). Furthermore, the Corinthian church itself was plagued by various internal divisions and moral issues, suggesting a potential lack of firm theological grounding among some members. Paul's robust defense of the resurrection was therefore not merely an abstract theological discourse but a direct challenge to deeply ingrained cultural assumptions and a necessary corrective for a church struggling with fundamental truths.
* **Key Themes:** The verse directly contributes to several major themes within [1 Corinthians](/1_corinthians/1 "1 Corinthians - Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians") and the broader New Testament. Foremost is **The Centrality of Christ's Resurrection**, establishing it as the absolute, non-negotiable foundation of the Christian faith. It highlights **The Inseparability of Preaching and Reality**, asserting that the apostolic message is only powerful and true if its central claim – Christ's resurrection – is a historical fact. Conversely, it underscores **The Futility of Faith Without Resurrection**, demonstrating that without a risen Christ, both the gospel proclamation and the individual's belief are empty, offering no salvation, no hope, and no victory over sin and death. This theme is further developed as Paul explains that if Christ is not risen, believers are still in their sins ([1 Corinthians 15:17](/1_corinthians/15-17 "1 Corinthians 15:17 - Still in Sins Without Resurrection")), and those who have died in Christ have perished ([1 Corinthians 15:18](/1_corinthians/15-18 "1 Corinthians 15:18 - Those Who Have Died Have Perished")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **risen (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 1 Corinthians 15, its primary meaning is a literal, physical raising from death, emphasizing the bodily resurrection of Jesus. It implies a powerful act of God, bringing Christ back to life from the grave, not merely a spiritual awakening or metaphorical rising.
* **preaching (Greek, _kḗrygma'_):** Derived from the verb "to proclaim" (kērússō), _kḗrygma_ refers to "a proclamation (especially of the gospel; by implication, the gospel itself)." It denotes the authoritative, public declaration of the good news of salvation, particularly as delivered by the apostles. Paul here emphasizes that the very content and power of this proclamation are entirely dependent on the historical reality of Christ's resurrection. If the resurrection is false, the message itself is a hollow echo.
* **vain (Greek, _kenós'_):** This word signifies something that is "empty (literally or figuratively)," "useless," or "futile." It's not merely "incorrect" but utterly devoid of content, purpose, power, or beneficial outcome. If Christ did not rise, then the apostolic message and the believer's faith are not just mistaken; they are fundamentally hollow, without substance, and incapable of achieving their intended purpose of salvation and eternal life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if Christ be not risen,"**: This opening clause establishes a hypothetical condition, serving as the premise for Paul's logical argument. The "if" (G1487, _ei_) introduces a real possibility that some in Corinth were entertaining, even though Paul considers it unthinkable. The phrase "be not risen" directly challenges the historical and theological fact of Jesus' physical resurrection.
* **"then is our preaching vain,"**: This is the first dire consequence of the hypothetical premise. "Our preaching" refers specifically to the apostolic proclamation of the gospel, the core message delivered by Paul and other apostles. If Christ has not been raised, then this proclamation is "vain" (_kenós_), meaning it is empty, without substance, power, or truth. It becomes a mere human fabrication, devoid of divine authority or saving efficacy.
* **"and your faith is also vain."**: This is the second, equally devastating consequence, shifting from the apostles' message to the believers' personal response. "Your faith" refers to the trust and belief placed in Christ and the gospel message by the Corinthian Christians. If the resurrection is false, then this faith is also "vain" (_kenós_). It means their belief is groundless, futile, and ultimately incapable of delivering salvation, forgiveness of sins, or eternal hope. Their entire spiritual foundation collapses.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several powerful literary devices in this concise verse to convey the absolute necessity of the resurrection. The primary device is a **Hypothetical Syllogism** (or conditional statement), structured as "If A, then B and C." This logical framework allows Paul to lay out the devastating consequences that necessarily follow if the premise (Christ not risen) were true. The **Repetition** of the word "vain" (Greek, _kenós_) for both "preaching" and "faith" creates a strong sense of emphasis, underscoring the complete emptiness and futility that would characterize Christianity without a risen Christ. This repetition functions almost as a **Rhetorical Device**, driving home the point that the entire Christian enterprise hinges on this one historical event. The verse also demonstrates powerful **Juxtaposition** between the life-giving truth of the resurrection (implied by the negative conditional) and the utter emptiness that would result from its absence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The theological implications of 1 Corinthians 15:14 are profound, asserting that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is not merely one doctrine among many, but the indispensable foundation upon which the entire Christian faith rests. Without it, the gospel message loses its power, the apostles become false witnesses, and believers remain unforgiven and without hope of eternal life. The resurrection validates Christ's claims to divinity, His victory over sin and death, and the efficacy of His atoning sacrifice. It transforms Christianity from a philosophical system or moral code into a living relationship with a conquering Lord, providing assurance of future resurrection for all who believe. It is the ultimate demonstration of God's power and faithfulness, confirming the truth of His promises and the reality of eternal life.

* [Romans 10:9](/romans/10-9 "Romans 10:9 - Confession and Belief in Resurrection")
* [Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Jesus")
* [1 Peter 1:3](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3 - Living Hope Through Resurrection")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
First Corinthians 15:14 calls every believer to a profound reflection on the bedrock of their faith. In a world often skeptical of supernatural claims, this verse reminds us that Christianity is not founded on a myth or a mere ethical teaching, but on a verifiable historical event: the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. This truth should anchor our hope, giving us an unshakeable confidence in God's power to overcome sin, death, and all evil. It empowers our witness, knowing that the message we proclaim is not empty but carries the life-transforming power of a living Savior. Furthermore, it gives profound purpose to our daily lives, our struggles, and our service, knowing that our labor in the Lord is not "vain" (as Paul explicitly states in [1 Corinthians 15:58](/1_corinthians/15-58 "1 Corinthians 15:58 - Your Labor is Not in Vain")) because we serve a risen King who guarantees our future resurrection and eternal glory. Our faith is not a blind leap, but a confident trust in the One who conquered the grave.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the historical reality of Christ's resurrection impact your daily walk with God and your sense of purpose?**
* **In what ways might a diminished view of the resurrection undermine the power of the gospel you share with others?**
* **What specific aspects of your faith would become "vain" if you genuinely believed Christ had not risen?**

### FAQ
**Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ so central to the Christian faith, as implied by this verse?**

Answer: The resurrection of Jesus Christ is central because it is the ultimate proof of His divine identity and power, validating His claims to be the Son of God and the Messiah. It confirms that His atoning death on the cross was accepted by God as a complete payment for sin, demonstrating His victory over sin and death. Without the resurrection, Christ's death would merely be that of a martyr, not a conquering Savior. As Paul argues in [1 Corinthians 15:17](/1_corinthians/15-17 "1 Corinthians 15:17 - Still in Sins Without Resurrection"), if Christ is not risen, believers are still in their sins, meaning His sacrifice would be insufficient. The resurrection also guarantees the future resurrection of believers, offering hope beyond the grave ([1 Corinthians 15:20-23](/1_corinthians/15-20-23 "1 Corinthians 15:20-23 - Christ the Firstfruits")).

**What does Paul mean by "vain" when he applies it to preaching and faith?**

Answer: When Paul uses the word "vain" (Greek, _kenós_), he means empty, useless, futile, or without substance and effect. If Christ is not risen, then "our preaching" (the apostolic proclamation of the gospel) is empty because its central message—that Christ died for our sins and rose again—is false. It would be a message without power or truth, incapable of saving anyone. Similarly, "your faith" (the personal trust and belief of believers) would also be empty and futile. It would be faith placed in a dead savior, offering no forgiveness, no new life, and no hope of eternal salvation. The entire enterprise of Christianity would be a grand deception, completely lacking any beneficial outcome or divine reality.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 15:14 is a powerful declaration of the Christ-centered nature of the gospel, asserting that Jesus' resurrection is the very heart and soul of our faith. It is through His triumph over death that He is revealed as the living Lord, the "firstfruits of them that slept" ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ the Firstfruits")), guaranteeing the resurrection of all who are "in Christ" ([1 Corinthians 15:22](/1_corinthians/15-22 "1 Corinthians 15:22 - In Adam, In Christ")). His resurrection is not merely a historical event but the ongoing source of our spiritual life, for it is the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead who now dwells in believers, giving life to our mortal bodies ([Romans 8:11](/romans/8-11 "Romans 8:11 - Spirit of Him Who Raised Jesus")). Because Christ is risen, our hope is not in a dead prophet or a set of moral teachings, but in a victorious King who holds "the keys of hell and of death" ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Jesus Holds the Keys of Death and Hades")). He is the Head of the Church, "the beginning, the firstborn from the dead" ([Colossians 1:18](/colossians/1-18 "Colossians 1:18 - Christ the Head, Firstborn from the Dead")), and His resurrection ensures that our faith is not vain, but firmly grounded in the power of God, leading to eternal life and an imperishable inheritance ([1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3-4 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - Living Hope and Imperishable Inheritance")).

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

1 Corinthians 15:17

And if Christ be not raised, your faith [is] vain; ye are yet in your sins.

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.

Matthew 15:9

But in vain they do worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.

Acts 17:31

Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by [that] man whom he hath ordained; [whereof] he hath given assurance unto all [men], in that he hath raised him from the dead.

James 2:20

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Galatians 2:2

And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

Isaiah 49:4

Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: [yet] surely my judgment [is] with the LORD, and my work with my God.