1 Corinthians 15:15

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Yea {G1161}, and {G2532} we are found {G2147} false witnesses {G5575} of God {G2316}; because {G3754} we have testified {G3140} of {G2596} God {G2316} that {G3754} he raised up {G1453} Christ {G5547}: whom {G3739} he raised {G1453} not {G3756} up {G1453}, if {G1512} so be {G686} that the dead {G3498} rise {G1453} not {G3756}.

Complete Jewish Bible

furthermore, we are shown up as false witnesses for God in having testified that God raised up the Messiah, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.

Berean Standard Bible

In that case, we are also exposed as false witnesses about God. For we have testified about God that He raised Christ from the dead, but He did not raise Him if in fact the dead are not raised.

American Standard Version

Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we witnessed of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead are not raised.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 15:15, the Apostle Paul continues his forceful argument for the bodily resurrection of Christ and all believers, asserting the profound and devastating implications if this foundational truth were denied. He contends that if the dead are not raised, then he and the other apostles, who have consistently proclaimed that God raised Christ from the dead, would be exposed as "false witnesses of God," having misrepresented the very character and power of the Almighty. This verse underscores the absolute necessity of Christ's resurrection as the bedrock upon which the entire Christian faith, and the integrity of its apostolic proclamation, stands or falls.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the fifteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians, which is entirely dedicated to Paul's comprehensive defense of the resurrection. Paul addresses a specific theological challenge within the Corinthian church, where some members were denying the resurrection of the dead. He systematically builds his argument, beginning with the historical reality of [Christ's resurrection](/1_corinthians/15-3-8 "1 Corinthians 15:3-8 - The Resurrection of Christ"), attested by numerous eyewitnesses. Paul then proceeds to demonstrate the catastrophic logical consequences for Christian faith and preaching if the resurrection is not true. Verses [1 Corinthians 15:12-14](/1_corinthians/15-12-14 "1 Corinthians 15:12-14 - Consequences of Denying Resurrection") establish the premise that if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised, rendering their preaching and the Corinthians' faith utterly futile. Verse 15 follows as a direct, severe consequence of this premise, focusing on the integrity of the apostolic witness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan center, a melting pot of various philosophical and religious ideas. Within this environment, certain Greek philosophical schools, such as Platonism and Epicureanism, held views that were antithetical to the concept of bodily resurrection. Platonism, for instance, often viewed the physical body as a prison for the soul, from which the soul was liberated at death, making a bodily resurrection undesirable or even absurd. Epicureanism, with its emphasis on pleasure and the finality of death, also found no place for a future bodily existence. These prevailing cultural ideas likely influenced some within the Corinthian church, leading them to question or deny the resurrection. Paul's robust defense, therefore, was not merely an internal theological dispute but a direct confrontation with deeply ingrained pagan philosophical assumptions that threatened to undermine the very core of the Gospel.
* **Key Themes:** The verse significantly contributes to several major themes in [1 Corinthians 15](/1_corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection Chapter") and the broader Pauline corpus. Firstly, it highlights **The Integrity of Apostolic Witness**. Paul asserts that if Christ was not raised, then he and the other apostles, who consistently testified that God raised Christ (as seen in [Acts 2:32](/acts/2-32 "Acts 2:32 - Peter's Testimony of Christ's Resurrection") and [Acts 4:33](/acts/4-33 "Acts 4:33 - Apostolic Witness to the Resurrection")), would be "false witnesses of God." This is a grave accusation, implying that their entire mission, message, and personal sacrifice were based on a deliberate lie, thus impugning their character and divine commission. Secondly, it underscores **The Centrality of Christ's Resurrection**. This doctrine is not peripheral but the absolute bedrock of Christian belief and the Gospel message. Without it, the entire edifice of Christian faith collapses, rendering salvation impossible and hope for the future vain, as Paul further elaborates in [1 Corinthians 15:17-19](/1_corinthians/15-17-19 "1 Corinthians 15:17-19 - The Futility of Faith Without Resurrection"). Thirdly, Paul employs **Logical Consequence** as a powerful rhetorical tool. He links the general resurrection of the dead directly to Christ's resurrection, arguing that if the former is impossible, the latter must also be. This ties the hope of believers for their own future resurrection directly to the historical, undeniable event of Christ's victory over death.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **false witnesses (Greek, _pseudomártyr'_):** This compound word (from _pseudēs_ meaning "false" and _mártys_ meaning "witness") denotes one who bears untrue testimony, specifically in a legal or formal sense. In this context, it implies more than a mere mistake; it suggests a deliberate misrepresentation or even a lie concerning God Himself. For the apostles, whose entire ministry was predicated on bearing witness to Christ, being labeled "false witnesses of God" would be the ultimate indictment, undermining their credibility, authority, and the divine origin of their message. It would mean they were not merely mistaken about an event, but had fundamentally misrepresented God's character, power, and truthfulness.
* **raised up (Greek, _egeírō'_):** This verb, used multiple times in the verse, means "to waken" or "to rouse," often from sleep, disease, or death. It can be transitive (God raised Christ) or intransitive (the dead rise). Its repeated use emphasizes the active, divine power involved in bringing someone back from the state of death. The core of Paul's argument hinges on the reality of this "raising up" – if God did not perform this act for Christ, then the apostles' testimony is false, and the very concept of resurrection is invalid.
* **God (Greek, _theós'_):** Referring to the supreme Divinity, "God" here is central to the accusation. The apostles testified *of God* that *He* raised Christ. Therefore, if Christ was not raised, the lie is not merely about an event, but about God's direct action and character. To be a "false witness of God" is a profound theological offense, implying that God either lacked the power to raise Christ or that He was complicit in a deception, both of which are blasphemous.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God;":** Paul begins with a strong affirmation ("Yea, and") of the dire conclusion. If the premise (no resurrection of the dead) is true, then the apostles' very identity and mission are compromised. They would be "found" (discovered, exposed) as those who have borne false testimony, not just about a minor detail, but about God Himself. This is a direct challenge to their integrity and the divine authority of their message.
* **"because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ:":** This clause provides the specific reason for the accusation of false witness. The apostles' central message, their consistent proclamation, was that God, by His own power, had raised Jesus Christ from the dead. This was not a secondary point but the very heart of the Gospel they preached (e.g., [Romans 1:3-4](/romans/1-3-4 "Romans 1:3-4 - Christ Declared Son of God by Resurrection")). If this historical event did not occur, then their entire testimony about God's power, His plan of salvation, and Christ's identity is a fabrication.
* **"whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.":** This final clause presents the conditional premise that underpins the entire argument. Paul asserts that if the general resurrection of the dead is impossible ("if so be that the dead rise not"), then it logically follows that God did not, and could not, have raised Christ. This links Christ's resurrection inextricably to the broader doctrine of the resurrection of all believers, making it clear that the two stand or fall together. The denial of one necessitates the denial of the other, leading to the conclusion that the apostles' testimony about Christ's resurrection would be utterly false.

#### Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs several literary devices to drive home his argument. The primary device is a **Hypothetical Argument** or **Conditional Clause**, signaled by "if so be that the dead rise not." This allows Paul to explore the logical consequences of a premise he fundamentally rejects, demonstrating its absurdity. Closely related is **Reductio ad Absurdum**, where Paul takes the Corinthians' denial of the resurrection to its logical, devastating, and unacceptable conclusion: if there is no resurrection, then the apostles are liars, God is misrepresented, and faith is futile. This forces his audience to confront the full implications of their skepticism. While not a direct question, the statement "we are found false witnesses of God" functions as a powerful **Rhetorical Statement**, designed to shock and persuade by highlighting the profound moral and theological crisis that would ensue. Finally, there is a strong sense of **Antithesis** or **Contrast** implied throughout the passage, contrasting the truth of God's power and the apostles' genuine witness with the horrifying alternative of falsehood and deception.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly impacts our understanding of God's character, the nature of truth, and the foundation of Christian hope. It asserts that God is a God of truth and power, incapable of being associated with falsehood or weakness. If Christ was not raised, it would not only mean the apostles were liars, but that God Himself was either unable to raise Him or was somehow part of a grand deception, which is antithetical to His revealed nature. The resurrection is thus presented as the ultimate validation of God's promises and Christ's identity, ensuring the integrity of the divine witness. It underscores that the Gospel is not based on human speculation or wishful thinking, but on historical fact and divine action.

* [1 Corinthians 15:17](/1_corinthians/15-17 "1 Corinthians 15:17 - Faith is Vain Without Resurrection")
* [Romans 10:9](/romans/10-9 "Romans 10:9 - Belief in Resurrection for Salvation")
* [Acts 1:22](/acts/1-22 "Acts 1:22 - Apostles as Witnesses of Resurrection")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, 1 Corinthians 15:15 serves as a powerful and sobering reminder of the non-negotiable truth of Christ's resurrection. Our faith is not built on a myth, a moral philosophy, or an inspiring story, but on the historical, verifiable fact of Jesus' triumph over death. This verse compels us to recognize that the entire edifice of Christian doctrine, our hope for salvation, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life, hinges entirely on the reality of a resurrected Christ. It reinforces the call to boldly proclaim this truth, knowing that our witness is not based on human invention but on God's mighty act. It should instill in us a profound gratitude for the certainty of our hope and equip us to defend the Gospel against skepticism, understanding that to deny the resurrection is to fundamentally undermine the very nature of God and the authenticity of His revelation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the certainty of Christ's resurrection impact your daily life and your hope for the future?**
* **In what ways are you called to be a "true witness" of God's power and truth in your own sphere of influence today?**
* **What specific doctrines do you consider non-negotiable for your Christian faith, and how does the resurrection underpin them?**

### FAQ
**Why is Paul so insistent that the apostles would be "false witnesses of God" if Christ did not rise?**

Answer: Paul's insistence highlights the absolute centrality of Christ's resurrection to the Christian faith and the integrity of its proclamation. If Christ was not raised, then the apostles' core message—that God raised Jesus from the dead—would be a lie. This would mean they were not merely mistaken, but actively misrepresenting God's character and power. Such a deception would invalidate their entire ministry, their suffering for the Gospel, and their claim to be divinely appointed messengers. It would imply that the God they proclaimed was either powerless to raise His Son or was somehow party to a massive falsehood, which is blasphemous. Therefore, for Paul, the truth of the resurrection is inextricably linked to the truthfulness of God Himself and the credibility of His chosen witnesses.

**What does "if so be that the dead rise not" imply about the general resurrection?**

Answer: This phrase is a crucial conditional clause that links Christ's resurrection to the general resurrection of all believers. Paul is arguing by **reductio ad absurdum**: if you deny the possibility of a general resurrection of the dead, then you must logically deny Christ's resurrection as well. He is not questioning the general resurrection, but rather showing the inescapable consequence of denying it. If death is the ultimate end for all humanity, then Christ, being fully human, could not have overcome it. Therefore, the hope for our own future resurrection is directly tied to the historical reality of Christ's triumph over death, as He is the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ as the Firstfruits")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 15:15, while highlighting the apostles' witness, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the Person and work of Jesus Himself. The verse implicitly points to Christ as the very object of the apostles' testimony and the embodiment of God's resurrecting power. His resurrection is not merely an event; it is the definitive declaration of His divine Sonship and His absolute victory over sin, death, and the grave ([Romans 1:3-4](/romans/1-3-4 "Romans 1:3-4 - Declared Son of God by Resurrection")). If Christ had not been raised, His claims to be the Son of God, the Messiah, and the source of eternal life would have been proven false, just as the apostles' testimony would have been. But because He was raised, He is indeed "the resurrection and the life" ([John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")), the one who holds the keys of death and Hades ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Christ Holds the Keys of Death")). His resurrection is the foundation of the New Covenant, the guarantee of our justification ([Romans 4:25](/romans/4-25 "Romans 4:25 - Christ Raised for Our Justification")), and the power by which believers are spiritually raised with Him to new life now and will be physically raised in the future ([Ephesians 2:5-6](/ephesians/2-5-6 "Ephesians 2:5-6 - Raised with Christ") and [Colossians 2:12](/colossians/2-12 "Colossians 2:12 - Buried and Raised with Christ")). Thus, the truth of the apostolic witness in 1 Corinthians 15:15 finds its unwavering validation in the living, resurrected Christ.

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 2:24

Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

Job 13:7

Will ye speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him?

Job 13:10

He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly accept persons.

1 Corinthians 15:13

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

Exodus 23:3

Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.

Romans 3:7

For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?

Romans 3:8

And not [rather], (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.