1 Corinthians 15 12

1 Corinthians 15:12 kjv

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

1 Corinthians 15:12 nkjv

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?

1 Corinthians 15:12 niv

But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

1 Corinthians 15:12 esv

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

1 Corinthians 15:12 nlt

But tell me this ? since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead?

1 Corinthians 15 verses

1 Corinthians 15 12 Meaning

The verse asserts that if Christ has not been raised, the preaching of the gospel by the apostles is futile, and the faith of believers is in vain. It directly challenges any teaching that denies or undermines the resurrection of Jesus, declaring such assertions to be meaningless and faith to be groundless.

1 Corinthians 15 12 Context

This verse is found within 1 Corinthians chapter 15, Paul’s extensive defense of the resurrection of believers. The Corinthian church had some who were denying the general resurrection, or perhaps denying the bodily resurrection of Jesus. Paul meticulously builds his case, beginning with the resurrection of Christ as the foundational truth upon which the entire Christian faith rests. He has already established in verses 1-11 that the gospel he preaches is the gospel received, centered on Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, attested to by numerous witnesses. Verse 12, therefore, serves as a crucial hinge point, directly addressing the implication if Christ's resurrection were false. If Christ was not raised, then the entire edifice of Christian belief and practice collapses. This was likely polemic against existing beliefs in Corinth that questioned the resurrection, either due to philosophical influences (like a dislike for the material body) or simply lack of faith.

1 Corinthians 15 12 Word Analysis

• Εἰ δέ (ei de): "But if." Connects this hypothetical to the previous affirmation of the gospel's content. Establishes a condition.
• Χριστός (Christos): "Christ." The anointed one. Central to the discussion.
• ἐγήγερται (egegetai): "has been raised." Perfect passive indicative of ἐγείρω (egeirō), meaning "to rouse," "to awaken," or "to raise up." The perfect tense indicates a past action with a continuing result, emphasizing the present reality of the resurrection. This is a key term for bodily resurrection.
• ἐκ (ek): "from," "out of." Indicates origin.
• νεκρῶν (nekrōn): "dead." Genitive plural of νεκρός (nekros). "The dead."
• κηρύσσεται (kerissetai): "is preached." Present passive indicative of κηρύσσω (kērussō), meaning "to proclaim," "to announce." It implies that the proclamation itself is invalidated.
• μάταιος (mataios): "vain," "empty," "futile," "idle." Without purpose or effect. Underscores the uselessness of the preaching.
• ἀ prochynochy (ap’ echy-thon): "but the faith of them" (the believers). Suggests that belief is the direct casualty.
• ὑμῶν (hy-mon): "your." Referring to the Corinthians.
• κενὴ (kenē): "vain," "empty," "void." Denotes the utter lack of substance or efficacy in their faith.
• The conjunction points to a logical consequence. If Christ's resurrection is false, then the preaching becomes meaningless.
• If Christ is preached as raised: The core assertion of the gospel.
• Then the preaching is vain: The consequence on the proclamation.
• And your faith is vain: The consequence on the believers' trust.

Word Group Analysis:

• "Εἰ δὲ Χριστὸς ἐγήγερται ἐκ νεκρῶν" (Ei de Christos egegetai ek nekrōn): "But if Christ has been raised from the dead." This is the central hypothetical clause. The emphasis is on the definitive nature of Christ's resurrection, that He has indeed been brought back to life from death. This sets up the dire consequences if this foundational event is denied.
• "μάταιος ἄρα ὁ κήρυγμα ἡμῶν" (mataios ara ho kerygma hy-mon): "vain therefore is our preaching." This connects the denial of Christ's resurrection to the complete futility of the apostolic message. The preaching loses all its divine authority and saving power. The word "mataios" implies worthlessness and ineffectuality.
• "ματαία δὲ καὶ ἡ πίστις ὑμῶν" (mataia de kai hy pistis hy-mon): "and vain also your faith." This is the direct and personal consequence for the believers. Their faith, built upon the premise of Christ’s resurrection, becomes baseless and empty without it.

1 Corinthians 15 12 Bonus Section

The argument presented by Paul is a strong reductio ad absurdum. He shows that the logical endpoint of denying Christ's resurrection is the utter demolition of the Christian faith. This passage also implicitly addresses any who might have suggested Christ's ministry ended with his death, or that his followers merely imagined his appearances. Furthermore, it sets up the positive case for the resurrection as the "firstfruits" in the subsequent verses, anchoring the believer's hope in a historical event that guarantees their own future resurrection. The use of "mataios" (vain) is powerful; it means without substance, empty, and useless, hitting hard at both the preachers and the hearers.

1 Corinthians 15 12 Commentary

Paul drives home the absolute centrality of Christ's resurrection. He argues that if Jesus is not raised, the entire message of Christianity is rendered empty. The proclamation by the apostles, including Paul himself, would be based on a lie, devoid of any power to save or transform. Consequently, the faith of every believer is founded on nothing solid; their hope, their salvation, and their eternal future would be illusions. This stark consequence emphasizes that the resurrection is not a mere secondary doctrine but the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Without it, the gospel ceases to be gospel.

• If Jesus remained dead, the apostles' ministry was a hoax.
• A dead savior cannot save.
• Belief in a mere man, however great, is not salvific.
• The resurrection is the validation of Christ's atoning sacrifice.
• Denying resurrection is like removing the foundation of a house; it causes collapse.