Read & explore together
The Resurrection of the Dead
Paul addresses a serious claim about resurrection by showing its consequences step by step. In these verses, he argues that denying the resurrection of the dead would also undo what Christians say about Christ, faith, sin and hope.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This part of 1 Corinthians 15 is written as teaching in a letter. Paul begins with the message that Christ has been raised, then challenges some who say there is no resurrection of the dead. He traces what that claim would mean if it were true.
1 Corinthians 15:12–19Main takeaway
In this passage, Paul argues that if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised, and Christian preaching, faith and hope collapse.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A challenge to those denying resurrectionPaul starts with the message being preached: Christ has been raised from the dead. He then asks how some people can say there is no resurrection of the dead.
Explanation
Paul starts with the message being preached: Christ has been raised from the dead. He then asks how some people can say there is no resurrection of the dead. The question sets up the whole argument and shows that the issue is not small or separate from Christ himself.
02If there is no resurrection, Christ is not raisedPaul states the link plainly. If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either.
Explanation
Paul states the link plainly. If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. He repeats this point to press its force. The claim about resurrection is not treated as an abstract idea. It directly affects what is said about Christ.
03Preaching and faith would be emptyPaul says that if Christ has not been raised, preaching is in vain and faith is also in vain.
Explanation
Paul says that if Christ has not been raised, preaching is in vain and faith is also in vain. He also says the witnesses would be false, because they testified that God raised Christ. In this passage, resurrection is tied to the truthfulness of the Christian message.
04Sin, the dead in Christ, and present hopePaul continues the consequences. If Christ has not been raised, faith is vain and people are still in their sins.
Explanation
Paul continues the consequences. If Christ has not been raised, faith is vain and people are still in their sins. Those who have fallen asleep in Christ, meaning those who have died in Christ, have perished. If hope in Christ is only for this life, believers are most pitiable.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What starting message does Paul mention before he questions those who deny resurrection?
Look at the opening statement and notice that Paul begins with what is preached about Christ before he discusses the consequences of denying resurrection.
02According to Paul, what would happen to preaching and faith if Christ had not been raised?
Read the verse that uses the words 'in vain' and observe that Paul applies this to both the message preached and the faith of the readers.
03Which three results does Paul list near the end of the passage if Christ has not been raised?
Trace the final verses and identify what Paul says about sins, those who have fallen asleep in Christ, and hope limited to this life.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 Corinthians 15:12–19
12Now 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?
13But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ been raised.
14If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith also is in vain.
15Yes, we are also found false witnesses of God, because we testified about God that he raised up Christ, whom he didn’t raise up if it is true that the dead are not raised.
16For if the dead aren’t raised, neither has Christ been raised.
17If Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins.
18Then they also who are fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
19If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable.