1 Corinthians 15:16

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

For if the dead are not raised, then not even Christ has been raised.

American Standard Version (1901)

For if the dead are not raised, neither hath Christ been raised:

Bible in Basic English

For if it is not possible for the dead to come to life again, then Christ has not come to life again:

Douay-Rheims 1899

For if the dead rise not again, neither is Christ risen again.

Free Bible Version

If the dead are not raised, then Christ hasn't been raised either,

Geneva Bible 1599

For if the dead be not raised, then is Christ not raised.

King James (Authorized) Version

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

Plain English Version

You see, if you reckon that God never makes dead people alive again, you are saying that he didn’t make Jesus Christ alive again.

Translation for Translators

But if it were really true that no one who has died will be raised {that God will not cause anyone who has died to become alive} again, then Christ was not raised {he did not cause Christ to become alive} again either!

Unlocked Literal Bible

For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised;

Noah Webster Bible

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

World English Bible

For if the dead aren’t raised, neither has Christ been raised.

Young's Literal Translation

for if dead persons do not rise, neither hath Christ risen,

Context

The Resurrection of the Dead

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.¹⁶For if the dead are not raised, then not even Christ has been raised.¹⁷And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

Sermons

The Condition of Men Without the Bible.

Edward Payson

Summary

This verse highlights the crucial importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It emphasizes that if Christ has not been raised from the dead, then faith in Him is futile, preaching is useless, and believers are still in their sins. The resurrection of Jesus is foundational to the Christian faith, as it validates His victory over sin and death, offering hope of eternal life to all who believe. Without the resurrection, the core message of Christianity loses its power and significance.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

False witnesses - As having testified the fact of Christ's resurrection, as a matter which ourselves had witnessed, when we knew that we bore testimony to a falsehood. But could five hundred persons agree in this imposition? And if they did, is it possible that some one would not discover the cheat, when he could have no interest in keeping the secret, and might greatly promote his secular interest by making the discovery? Such a case never occurred, and never can occur. The testimony, therefore, concerning the resurrection of Christ, is incontrovertibly true. If so be that the dead rise not - This clause is wanting in DE, Syriac, some of the Slavonian, and Itala; several also of the primitive fathers omit it. Its great similarity to the following words might be the cause of its omission by some copyists.

John Gill Bible Commentary

For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised. This is a repetition of the argument in Co1 15:13 made partly to show the importance of it, and partly to observe other absurdities, following upon the conclusion of it. made partly to show the importance of it, and partly to observe other absurdities, following upon the conclusion of it. 1 Corinthians 15:17 co1 15:17 co1 15:17 co1 15:17And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain,.... As before in Co1 15:14 not only the doctrine of faith, but the grace of faith in Christ; even that faith, which is the faith of God's elect; the pure gift of his grace, and the operation of his power; which Christ is the object, author, and finisher of; and which he prays for, that it may not fail; and to which salvation is so often promised in the sacred Scriptures; and yet is vain, than which nothing can be more absurd: it follows, ye are yet in your sins: in a state of nature and unregeneracy, under the power and dominion of sin, being neither regenerated nor sanctified; for regeneration is owing to the resurrection of Christ from the dead, and is a branch of the power, virtue, and efficacy of it: but if Christ is not risen, there never was, is, or will be any such thing as regeneration and sanctification; things, if ever wrought by the Spirit, are done by him in virtue, and in imitation of the resurrection, as well as the death of Christ: moreover, if Christ is not risen, his people are under the guilt of their sins; there is no expiation nor remission of them, nor justification from them; for though he was delivered as a sacrifice to atone for their offences, and his blood was shed to obtain the forgiveness of their sins, yet he must be raised again for their justification, and be exalted as a Prince and a Saviour, as to give repentance, so remission of sins, or they will never enjoy these blessings; for notwithstanding his sufferings and death, if he lies under the power of the grave, they must remain under the power and guilt of sin, and be liable to everlasting punishment for it.