1 Corinthians 15:17

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} if {G1487} Christ {G5547} be {G1453} not {G3756} raised {G1453}, your {G5216} faith {G4102} is vain {G3152}; ye are {G2075} yet {G2089} in {G1722} your {G5216} sins {G266}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and if the Messiah has not been raised, your trust is useless, and you are still in your sins.

Berean Standard Bible

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

American Standard Version

and if Christ hath not been raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15:17, delivers a profound and non-negotiable truth: if Christ has not been raised from the dead, then the very foundation of Christian faith crumbles, rendering it utterly without substance or saving power, leaving believers still enslaved to the guilt and dominion of their sins. This verse serves as a stark declaration of the resurrection's absolute centrality to the gospel and its indispensable role in the believer's justification and liberation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a critical juncture within Paul's extensive and passionate defense of the resurrection in [1 Corinthians 15](/1_corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection Chapter"). Having established the historical reality of Christ's resurrection through numerous eyewitness accounts (e.g., [1 Corinthians 15:3-8](/1_corinthians/15-3-8 "1 Corinthians 15:3-8 - The Resurrection Witnesses")), Paul then proceeds to argue its theological necessity. He employs a series of "if...then" statements, building a logical case for why the resurrection of Christ is not merely an important doctrine but the very bedrock of Christian hope and salvation. Preceding [1 Corinthians 15:17](/1_corinthians/15-17 "1 Corinthians 15:17 - The Foundation of Faith"), Paul has already asserted that if Christ has not been raised, then their preaching is "empty" and their faith is "futile" ([1 Corinthians 15:14](/1_corinthians/15-14 "1 Corinthians 15:14 - Vain Preaching, Vain Faith")), and that the apostles themselves would be found to be "false witnesses about God" ([1 Corinthians 15:15](/1_corinthians/15-15 "1 Corinthians 15:15 - False Witnesses")). Verse 17 escalates the personal consequences, directly addressing the individual believer's standing before God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Corinthian church, situated in a bustling, cosmopolitan Greek city, was heavily influenced by prevailing Hellenistic philosophical currents. Many Greek philosophies, particularly Platonism, held a dualistic view of reality, often despising the material body as inferior or even evil, while exalting the spirit. The idea of a bodily resurrection, therefore, was often met with skepticism, ridicule, or outright denial, as seen in Athens when Paul preached the resurrection and some "scoffed" ([Acts 17:32](/acts/17-32 "Acts 17:32 - The Athenian Response to Resurrection")). Within the Corinthian congregation, some members, perhaps swayed by these cultural biases, were denying the future resurrection of believers, which inevitably led to questions about Christ's own resurrection. Paul's forceful arguments in [1 Corinthians 15](/1_corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection of the Dead") directly confront this intellectual and theological challenge, re-establishing the foundational truth of bodily resurrection for a church struggling with a distorted understanding of the gospel.
* **Key Themes:** [1 Corinthians 15:17](/1_corinthians/15-17 "1 Corinthians 15:17 - The Cruciality of Christ's Resurrection") contributes significantly to several major theological themes within [1 Corinthians](/1_corinthians/1 "1 Corinthians - Paul's Letter to the Corinthians") and broader Pauline theology. Firstly, it underscores **the indispensability of Christ's resurrection** as the cornerstone of Christian faith. Paul argues that without this historical event, the entire edifice of salvation collapses. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **justification and forgiveness of sins**. The resurrection is presented as the divine seal of approval on Christ's atoning work on the cross; without it, the payment for sin would be considered insufficient or unaccepted, leaving humanity "yet in your sins." This ties directly into the concept of **salvation by grace through faith**, emphasizing that faith is not a blind leap but a confident trust in a resurrected Savior. Finally, the verse implicitly touches on the theme of **the power of God**, demonstrating that God's power is uniquely manifested in raising the dead, conquering sin and death, and offering new life to those who believe, as elaborated throughout [1 Corinthians 15](/1_corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection Chapter").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **if (Greek, _ei'_):** This particle introduces a conditional clause, posing a hypothetical scenario. In this context, it sets up a logical argument, not necessarily implying doubt about the resurrection's reality, but rather exploring the catastrophic implications *if* it were not true. It functions as a powerful rhetorical device to highlight the absolute necessity of the resurrection.
* **raised (Greek, _egeírō'_):** This verb signifies to "awaken," "lift up," or "raise (from death)." In the context of Christ, it specifically refers to His bodily resurrection from the grave. The Greek perfect passive indicative tense ("be not raised" - ἐγήγερται) emphasizes a completed action with continuing results. If Christ *has not been* raised (a completed action), then He *remains* dead (continuing result), which would render all faith futile.
* **vain (Greek, _mátaios'_):** Derived from a root meaning "empty" or "futile," this word describes something that is without purpose, power, or substance. If Christ is not raised, then faith in Him is not merely mistaken, but utterly useless, having no power to achieve its intended goal of salvation or transformation. It is an empty hope, a hollow belief.
* **sins (Greek, _hamartía'_):** This term refers to "missing the mark," "falling short," or "transgression against God's law." It encompasses both the act of sin and the state of being under sin's power and guilt. Paul's stark declaration that believers would "yet be in your sins" underscores that the resurrection is the divine validation of Christ's atoning sacrifice, without which the penalty for sin remains unpaid and its dominion unbroken.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if Christ be not raised":** This opening clause sets the crucial premise of Paul's argument. It posits a hypothetical condition, emphasizing that the entire edifice of Christian faith rests upon the historical and theological reality of Christ's resurrection. The Greek perfect passive tense of "raised" (ἐγήγερται) highlights a completed action with ongoing consequences: if He was not raised, He remains dead, and the implications are dire.
* **"your faith [is] vain":** This is the first devastating consequence. If Christ is not resurrected, then the very object of their faith—a living, victorious Savior—is non-existent. Their belief, no matter how sincere, would be directed towards an empty promise, rendering it futile, powerless, and without any real effect or benefit. It would be a faith in a dead man, incapable of delivering life.
* **"ye are yet in your sins":** This is the ultimate and most dire consequence. The resurrection of Jesus is God's divine affirmation that Christ's sacrifice on the cross was fully accepted as the complete payment for humanity's sins. If Christ was not raised, it would imply that His death was insufficient or that God did not accept it as atonement. Consequently, believers would remain unforgiven, still under the condemnation and power of sin, with no hope of justification or liberation from its bondage.

#### Literary Devices
Paul's argument in [1 Corinthians 15:17](/1_corinthians/15-17 "1 Corinthians 15:17 - The Foundation of Faith") is a masterful example of **Conditional Logic** and **A Fortiori Argumentation**. He uses a series of "if...then" statements throughout [1 Corinthians 15](/1_corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection Chapter") to build an undeniable case. By positing the unthinkable (Christ not raised), he demonstrates the catastrophic and illogical conclusions that necessarily follow, thereby underscoring the absolute truth and necessity of the resurrection. The phrase "your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins" also employs powerful **Parallelism** and **Climax**. The two clauses are structurally similar, reinforcing each other, with the second clause ("ye are yet in your sins") serving as a climactic and most severe consequence, highlighting the ultimate spiritual peril. The language is direct and stark, employing **Understatement** to convey the utter hopelessness of a faith without resurrection, making the implications even more impactful.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[1 Corinthians 15:17](/1_corinthians/15-17 "1 Corinthians 15:17 - The Cruciality of Christ's Resurrection") is a theological linchpin, connecting the historical event of Christ's resurrection directly to the core doctrines of justification, atonement, and the believer's standing before God. It unequivocally states that the resurrection is not merely an add-on to the gospel but its indispensable validation. Without Christ's triumph over death, His crucifixion, though a profound act of love, would lack the divine seal of acceptance, leaving humanity without a true propitiation for sin. The resurrection proves that Christ's sacrifice was sufficient and accepted, thereby securing the forgiveness of sins and opening the way for reconciliation with God. This verse therefore serves as a powerful reminder that our salvation is not based on a philosophical idea or a moral code, but on the historical reality of a living Savior who conquered sin and death.

* [Romans 4:25](/romans/4-25 "Romans 4:25 - Christ Raised for Our Justification")
* [Romans 5:10](/romans/5-10 "Romans 5:10 - Reconciled by Christ's Life")
* [Hebrews 10:11-14](/hebrews/10-11-14 "Hebrews 10:11-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[1 Corinthians 15:17](/1_corinthians/15-17 "1 Corinthians 15:17 - The Foundation of Faith") serves as a profound anchor for Christian conviction and a powerful antidote to doubt. In a world that often seeks to reduce faith to mere sentiment or a set of moral principles, this verse forcefully reminds us that our hope is grounded in a historical, supernatural event: the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because He was raised, our faith is not "vain" or empty; it is filled with substance, power, and eternal promise. This means our forgiveness is real, our reconciliation with God is complete, and our future resurrection is assured. This truth should ignite a deep sense of gratitude, bolster our confidence in the gospel, and empower us to live lives transformed by the reality of Christ's victory. It compels us to share this life-giving message with boldness, knowing that we proclaim not a dead philosophy, but a living Savior who has conquered the grave and secured our eternal hope.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the historical reality of Christ's resurrection strengthen your personal faith and assurance of salvation?**
* **In what ways might a denial of Christ's resurrection subtly impact one's understanding of sin, forgiveness, or the power of the gospel?**
* **How does the truth that you are "no longer in your sins" (because Christ was raised) practically affect your daily walk and fight against temptation?**

### FAQ
**Why is the resurrection of Christ so absolutely essential for Christian faith?**

Answer: The resurrection of Christ is essential because it is God's ultimate validation of Jesus' identity, His claims, and His atoning work on the cross. [1 Corinthians 15:17](/1_corinthians/15-17 "1 Corinthians 15:17 - The Cruciality of Christ's Resurrection") explicitly states that if Christ was not raised, our faith is "vain" and we are "yet in our sins." This means that without the resurrection, Jesus' death would merely be that of a martyr, not a victorious Savior who conquered sin and death. The resurrection proves that God accepted Christ's sacrifice as sufficient payment for sin, thereby securing our justification and forgiveness. It transforms a historical tragedy into a triumphant victory, making salvation possible and giving substance to our hope. As [Romans 4:25](/romans/4-25 "Romans 4:25 - Christ Raised for Our Justification") states, Jesus "was delivered up for our transgressions and raised for our justification."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[1 Corinthians 15:17](/1_corinthians/15-17 "1 Corinthians 15:17 - The Cruciality of Christ's Resurrection") finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, who embodies the victory over sin and death. The New Testament consistently presents Christ's resurrection as the pivotal event that validates His messianic claims, confirms His divine Sonship, and seals the efficacy of His atoning sacrifice. Without His resurrection, Jesus would not be the triumphant King, but merely a crucified prophet, and His death would not have secured our redemption. However, because He was raised, He is declared to be the Son of God in power ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Declared Son of God by Resurrection")), and His resurrection is the guarantee of our own justification and new life ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life 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")), assuring us that because He lives, we too shall live. Our freedom from the dominion of sin and the promise of eternal life are inextricably linked to Christ's resurrection, making Him the living hope and the very foundation of our faith. He is not merely a historical figure, but the living Lord, whose resurrection power is at work in believers, enabling them to walk in newness of life ([Ephesians 1:19-20](/ephesians/1-19-20 "Ephesians 1:19-20 - God's Power for Believers")).

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

Romans 4:25

Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

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,

1 Corinthians 15:14

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

Romans 8:33

Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? [It is] God that justifieth.

Romans 8:34

Who [is] he that condemneth? [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

1 Peter 1:21

Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

Romans 5:10

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.