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)

Jesus Has Risen^(A)

16 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices^(B) so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. ² Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb ³ and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”^(C)

⁴ But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. ⁵ As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe^(D) sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

⁶ “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene,^(E) who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. ⁷ But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him,^(F) just as he told you.’”^(G)

²⁹ “Fellow Israelites,^(A) I can tell you confidently that the patriarch^(B) David died and was buried,^(C) and his tomb is here^(D) to this day. ³⁰ But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.^{(E) 31} Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay.^{(F) 32} God has raised this Jesus to life,^(G) and we are all witnesses^(H) of it. ³³ Exalted^(I) to the right hand of God,^(J) he has received from the Father^(K) the promised Holy Spirit^(L) and has poured out^(M) what you now see and hear. ³⁴ For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,

³⁶ “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord^(O) and Messiah.”^(P)

³⁷ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”^(Q)

³⁸ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized,^(R) every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.^(S) And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.^{(T) 39} The promise is for you and your children^(U) and for all who are far off^(V)—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

²⁹ “Fellow Israelites,^(A) I can tell you confidently that the patriarch^(B) David died and was buried,^(C) and his tomb is here^(D) to this day. ³⁰ But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.^{(E) 31} Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay.^{(F) 32} God has raised this Jesus to life,^(G) and we are all witnesses^(H) of it. ³³ Exalted^(I) to the right hand of God,^(J) he has received from the Father^(K) the promised Holy Spirit^(L) and has poured out^(M) what you now see and hear. ³⁴ For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,

³⁶ “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord^(O) and Messiah.”^(P)

³⁷ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”^(Q)

³⁸ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized,^(R) every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.^(S) And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.^{(T) 39} The promise is for you and your children^(U) and for all who are far off^(V)—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

God’s Wisdom Revealed by the Spirit

⁶ We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature,^(A) but not the wisdom of this age^(B) or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.^{(C) 7} No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery^(D) that has been hidden^(E) and that God destined for our glory before time began. ⁸ None of the rulers of this age^(F) understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.^(G)

The Good Shepherd and His Sheep

10 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.^(A)

¹⁰ I want to know^(A) Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings,^(B) becoming like him in his death,^{(C) 11} and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection^(D) from the dead.

¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal,^(E) but I press on to take hold^(F) of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.^{(G) 13} Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind^(H) and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on^(I) toward the goal to win the prize^(J) for which God has called^(K) me heavenward in Christ Jesus.