Resurrection Essential to the Faith

¹² Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead,^(A) how can some of you say, “There is no resurrection of the dead”?^{(B) 13} But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; ¹⁴ and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation is without foundation, and so is your faith.^{[a] 15} In addition, we are found to be false witnesses^(C) about God, because we have testified^(D) about God that He raised up Christ—whom He did not raise up if in fact the dead are not raised. ¹⁶ For if the dead are not raised, Christ has not been raised. ¹⁷ And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. ¹⁸ Therefore, those who have fallen asleep in Christ^(E) have also perished. ¹⁹ If we have put our hope in Christ for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone.

Christ’s Resurrection Guarantees Ours

²⁰ But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits^(F) of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For since death^(G) came through a man,^(H) the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man.^{(I) 22} For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.^{(J) 23} But each in his own order:^(K) Christ, the firstfruits; afterward, at His coming, those who belong to Christ. ²⁴ Then comes the end,^(L) when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father,^(M) when He abolishes all rule and all authority and power.^{(N) 25} For He must reign^(O) until He puts all His enemies under His feet.^{(P) 26} The last enemy to be abolished is death.^{(Q) 27} For God has put everything under His feet.^(R)[b] But when it says “everything” is put under Him, it is obvious that He who puts everything under Him is the exception.

⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work,^(E) knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.