The Resurrection of the Dead

12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead,(A) how can some of you say that there is no resurrection(B) of the dead?(C) 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised,(D) our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead.(E) But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.(F) 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep(G) in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.(H)

20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead,(I) the firstfruits(J) of those who have fallen asleep.(K) 21 For since death came through a man,(L) the resurrection of the dead(M) comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.(N) 23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits;(O) then, when he comes,(P) those who belong to him.(Q) 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom(R) to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.(S) 25 For he must reign(T) until he has put all his enemies under his feet.(U) 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.(V) 27 For he “has put everything under his feet.”[a](W) Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ.(X) 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him,(Y) so that God may be all in all.(Z)

29 Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? 30 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour?(AA) 31 I face death every day(AB)—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts(AC) in Ephesus(AD) with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised,

“Let us eat and drink,
    for tomorrow we die.”[b](AE)

33 Do not be misled:(AF) “Bad company corrupts good character.”[c](AG) 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God(AH)—I say this to your shame.(AI)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 15:27 Psalm 8:6
  2. 1 Corinthians 15:32 Isaiah 22:13
  3. 1 Corinthians 15:33 From the Greek poet Menander

12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

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

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

15 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.

16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:

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

18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.

28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?

30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?

31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.

33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

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The Risen Christ, Our Hope(A)

12 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, (B)then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because (C)we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; (D)you are still in your sins! 18 Then also those who have [a]fallen (E)asleep in Christ have perished. 19 (F)If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

The Last Enemy Destroyed

20 But now (G)Christ is risen from the dead, and has become (H)the firstfruits of those who have [b]fallen asleep. 21 For (I)since by man came death, (J)by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall (K)be made alive. 23 But (L)each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers (M)the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign (N)till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 (O)The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27 For (P)“He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 28 (Q)Now when all things are made subject to Him, then (R)the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.

Effects of Denying the Resurrection

29 Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead? 30 And (S)why do we stand in [c]jeopardy every hour? 31 I affirm, by (T)the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, (U)I die daily. 32 If, in the manner of men, (V)I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, (W)“Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”

33 Do not be deceived: (X)“Evil company corrupts good habits.” 34 (Y)Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; (Z)for some do not have the knowledge of God. (AA)I speak this to your shame.

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