- Home
- Bible
- 1 Corinthians
- Chapter 15
- Verse 15
1 Corinthians 15:14
Verse
Context
The Resurrection of the Dead
13If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.14And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is worthless, and so is your faith.15In that case, we are also exposed as false witnesses about God. For we have testified about God that He raised Christ from the dead, but He did not raise Him if in fact the dead are not raised.
Sermons







Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Then is our preaching vain - Our whole doctrine is useless, nugatory and false. And your faith is also vain - Your belief of a false doctrine must necessarily be to you unprofitable.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
your faith . . . vain-- (Co1 15:11). The Greek for "vain" here is, empty, unreal: in Co1 15:17, on the other hand, it is, without use, frustrated. The principal argument of the first preachers in support of Christianity was that God had raised Christ from the dead (Act 1:22; Act 2:32; Act 4:10, Act 4:33; Act 13:37; Rom 1:4). If this fact were false, the faith built on it must be false too.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And if Christ be not risen,.... If this is a truth, and must be taken as granted, as it must be, if there is no resurrection at all: then is our preaching vain; false, empty, delusory, unprofitable, and useless; not only that part of it which more especially concerns the resurrection of Christ, but even the whole of it; preaching Christ as the Son of God, which was the subject of the apostle's ministry, and which he set out with, is to no purpose, if he is not risen; for one considerable proof of his sonship depends upon his resurrection, which is the declaration of it; for who can believe him to be the Son of God, if he is detained under the power of the grave? one reason why he could not be held of death, and the pains and cords of it, any longer than was necessary, and was his pleasure, was because he was the Son of God, as well as surety of his people, who had paid the whole debt: so the preaching of his incarnation, obedience, sufferings, and death, is of no use and avail, if he has not abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light, first in himself, and then for his people: and your faith is also vain; either the grace of faith, by which they believed on Christ, or the doctrine of faith; or since this is repeated, Co1 15:17 the one may be meant here, and the other there. The doctrine of faith they had given their assent to, not only respecting the resurrection of Christ, but any other truth relating to his person and office, must be vain and empty, and without any foundation; even that faith which is one, uniform, harmonious, and consistent, which was once delivered to the saints; which they are to stand fast in, to strive, contend, and fight for, and not part with at any rate, upon any account whatever; and yet this, and the preaching and belief of it, are useless and insignificant things, if Christ is not risen; such wretched absurdities must follow upon the denial of that truth.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
15:14-18 If Christ has not risen from the dead, then Christian faith is useless. But in reality, Jesus’ resurrection is proof that the sacrifice of Christ fully atoned for human sins (see 15:3). If Christ has not been raised, then human beings remain unforgiven, under the judgment of God—still guilty of their sins (see Rom 3:19; Eph 2:1-3).
1 Corinthians 15:14
The Resurrection of the Dead
13If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.14And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is worthless, and so is your faith.15In that case, we are also exposed as false witnesses about God. For we have testified about God that He raised Christ from the dead, but He did not raise Him if in fact the dead are not raised.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Alive Again - the Golden Thread of Life From the Dead
By Major Ian Thomas271:14:29ResurrectionNew Life in ChristGEN 3:15JHN 3:3ACT 17:31ROM 8:291CO 3:161CO 15:14COL 1:18HEB 11:172PE 3:9REV 1:5Major Ian Thomas emphasizes the transformative power of being 'alive again' through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, illustrating how many people, like Nicodemus, may be religious yet lack a true relationship with God. He recounts the story of Jim Wright, who rediscovered his faith and became a powerful teacher, highlighting the importance of understanding the 'scarlet thread' of redemption woven throughout Scripture. Thomas explains that Jesus came to restore the life that was lost in the fall, and through His resurrection, believers are offered a new life that is abundant and filled with purpose. He contrasts the deadness of religion with the vibrant life found in a personal relationship with Christ, urging listeners to embrace the fullness of life that comes from being reconciled to God. The sermon culminates in the call to recognize the significance of the resurrection, which is central to the Christian faith.
By the Resurrection From the Dead
By G.W. North0Gospel TruthResurrectionMAT 28:6LUK 24:6JHN 11:25ACT 2:24ACT 4:33ROM 1:4ROM 10:91CO 15:14PHP 3:101PE 1:3G.W. North emphasizes the significance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in his sermon 'By the Resurrection From the Dead.' He explains that while the Romans were unfamiliar with Jewish traditions, the resurrection was a groundbreaking event that proved Jesus to be the Son of God with power. North highlights that the resurrection was essential for the gospel, as it validated the effectiveness of the cross and confirmed Jesus' identity as the Savior. He argues that without the resurrection, there would be no gospel, and it was this event that sparked the growth of the early church, even in Rome. Ultimately, the resurrection serves as God's public testimony of Jesus' perfection and divinity, assuring believers of the truth of the gospel.
Christ Is Risen - the Empty Tomb
By Erlo Stegen0Faith in ChristResurrectionISA 52:141CO 15:141CO 15:17HEB 2:11HEB 10:39Erlo Stegen emphasizes the significance of Christ's resurrection, asserting that without it, both preaching and faith are meaningless. He highlights that Jesus' resurrection is a historical fact, contrasting it with other religions that worship the dead. Stegen illustrates the depth of Christ's sacrifice and love through a poignant story of a mother's scars, symbolizing the price paid for our salvation. He calls believers to recognize their identity as brothers and sisters of Christ, who forgives despite our shortcomings. The sermon concludes with a reminder of the urgency to heed the message of salvation, as many remain indifferent to the truth of the resurrection.
Almost Twenty Centuries
By Vance Havner0Faith in ScriptureAssurance of ResurrectionJHN 20:29ROM 3:41CO 15:142TI 3:16HEB 11:1Vance Havner emphasizes the importance of faith in accepting the resurrection of Christ, arguing that after nearly twenty centuries, debates among church leaders still persist. He asserts that the Bible should be accepted as God's Word by faith, which leads to assurance and spiritual strength. Havner encourages believers to trust in the authenticity of Scripture rather than waiting for scholarly consensus, highlighting that God's Word proves itself to those who dare to believe. He concludes that the reliability of the Bible is evident to anyone willing to affirm and assert it.
The Powers of the Age to Come
By Watchman Nee0Spiritual WarfareKingdom Of GodJER 31:34MAT 12:28LUK 18:30ROM 6:6ROM 8:231CO 15:14HEB 4:9HEB 6:51PE 1:5REV 11:15Watchman Nee explores the concept of 'tasting the powers of the age to come' as mentioned in Hebrews 6:5, emphasizing that while Christians experience a foretaste of God's future kingdom, the fullness of these powers is yet to come. He highlights the significance of Christ's victory over Satan and the authority given to believers to reclaim dominion over the earth, which was originally intended by God. Nee asserts that the church's responsibility extends beyond salvation to actively engaging in spiritual warfare against the enemy, reclaiming territory for God's kingdom. He encourages believers to live in complete allegiance to God, as this is essential for overcoming spiritual opposition and experiencing the powers of the age to come. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a deeper commitment to God's purpose and the realization of His dominion through the church.
Sermons for Saints' Days and Holidays. No. 2, the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
By J.H. Newman0MAT 16:18JHN 15:161CO 15:14GAL 1:8EPH 4:111TI 4:162TI 2:2TIT 1:91JN 4:1JUD 1:3J.H. Newman preaches about the importance of upholding the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the foundational belief in the Incarnation of our Lord and Savior as essential for our faith and salvation. He highlights the Apostolic succession as a divine guard appointed by God to preserve the integrity of Apostolic doctrine, protecting against heresies and false teachings. Newman explains how the Bishops and Pastors in the Church were chosen as apostolical guardians of the true faith, acting as a safeguard against doctrinal corruptions and ensuring the continuity of sound doctrine through the centuries.
The Facts of the External Resurrection of Christ
By Adolf Schlatter0JHN 20:29ROM 10:171CO 15:14HEB 11:12PE 1:16Adolf Schlatter emphasizes that the disciples did not base their faith in Jesus on internal mystical experiences but on the objective truth of what God did through Christ. The early Christians understood faith through sober reasoning and the tangible evidence of God's actions, rather than seeking emotional enhancements or mystical visions. The disciples' conviction of encountering the risen Jesus was not rooted in subjective visionary states but in the external event of Easter, which provided the foundation and power for their lives.
Remaining True to the Lord
By William MacDonald0Loyalty to ChristDefending the FaithMAT 10:32ACT 11:23ROM 1:161CO 15:14GAL 1:10PHP 1:272TI 4:31PE 3:15JUD 1:3REV 2:10William MacDonald emphasizes the critical need for Christians to remain true to the Lord amidst a culture that often prioritizes intellectualism over faithfulness to Christ. He warns against the danger of valuing scholarly achievements while overlooking heretical views that undermine the core truths of Christianity, such as the Virgin Birth and the resurrection. MacDonald calls for a righteous anger against those who betray Christ in academic circles and urges believers to stand firm in their loyalty to Him. He highlights the examples of prophets, apostles, and martyrs who prioritized God's approval over human accolades. Ultimately, he challenges Christians to be unwavering in their commitment to uphold the truth of Christ's identity and work.
God on Trial
By John Fischer0GEN 1:27JHN 8:32ROM 3:231CO 15:141JN 1:9John Fischer addresses the challenge of convincing the world of Christianity's truth by emphasizing that the core of the message must be the historical death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, not personal experiences. He critiques common defenses used by Christians, such as claiming to have more fun or portraying non-Christians as miserable degenerates, highlighting the need to appreciate the dignity of all individuals as bearers of God's image. Fischer stresses the importance of not baiting the world with worldly enticements but presenting the simple truth of the Gospel that sets everyone free, emphasizing the need for humility in facing and confessing sin rather than trying to prove one's righteousness.
The Quest for Certainty
By Russell DeLong0PSA 139:23ISA 26:3MAT 11:28JHN 8:32JHN 14:6ROM 8:1ROM 8:381CO 15:142CO 5:17EPH 2:8Russell DeLong preaches about the Quest for Certainty, exploring the Certainty of personal existence, the existence of God, Divine Revelation, the Resurrection of Jesus, the Divine Personality of Jesus, and Personal Experience. Through testimonies and hymns, the sermon emphasizes finding certainty in a personal relationship with Christ, who embodies truth and offers freedom from sin, peace of heart, and rest of soul.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Then is our preaching vain - Our whole doctrine is useless, nugatory and false. And your faith is also vain - Your belief of a false doctrine must necessarily be to you unprofitable.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
your faith . . . vain-- (Co1 15:11). The Greek for "vain" here is, empty, unreal: in Co1 15:17, on the other hand, it is, without use, frustrated. The principal argument of the first preachers in support of Christianity was that God had raised Christ from the dead (Act 1:22; Act 2:32; Act 4:10, Act 4:33; Act 13:37; Rom 1:4). If this fact were false, the faith built on it must be false too.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And if Christ be not risen,.... If this is a truth, and must be taken as granted, as it must be, if there is no resurrection at all: then is our preaching vain; false, empty, delusory, unprofitable, and useless; not only that part of it which more especially concerns the resurrection of Christ, but even the whole of it; preaching Christ as the Son of God, which was the subject of the apostle's ministry, and which he set out with, is to no purpose, if he is not risen; for one considerable proof of his sonship depends upon his resurrection, which is the declaration of it; for who can believe him to be the Son of God, if he is detained under the power of the grave? one reason why he could not be held of death, and the pains and cords of it, any longer than was necessary, and was his pleasure, was because he was the Son of God, as well as surety of his people, who had paid the whole debt: so the preaching of his incarnation, obedience, sufferings, and death, is of no use and avail, if he has not abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light, first in himself, and then for his people: and your faith is also vain; either the grace of faith, by which they believed on Christ, or the doctrine of faith; or since this is repeated, Co1 15:17 the one may be meant here, and the other there. The doctrine of faith they had given their assent to, not only respecting the resurrection of Christ, but any other truth relating to his person and office, must be vain and empty, and without any foundation; even that faith which is one, uniform, harmonious, and consistent, which was once delivered to the saints; which they are to stand fast in, to strive, contend, and fight for, and not part with at any rate, upon any account whatever; and yet this, and the preaching and belief of it, are useless and insignificant things, if Christ is not risen; such wretched absurdities must follow upon the denial of that truth.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
15:14-18 If Christ has not risen from the dead, then Christian faith is useless. But in reality, Jesus’ resurrection is proof that the sacrifice of Christ fully atoned for human sins (see 15:3). If Christ has not been raised, then human beings remain unforgiven, under the judgment of God—still guilty of their sins (see Rom 3:19; Eph 2:1-3).