Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 15:13

What does 1 Corinthians 15:13 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 15:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 15:13 means

If there is, in principle, no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. Paul tightens the logic: a universal denial swallows the particular. He refuses a pick-and-choose approach to doctrine. The Corinthians cannot affirm Jesus’ resurrection as a unique exception while maintaining a worldview that rules resurrection out. This is the first step in a chain meant to force reconsideration. The gospel’s claim about Christ’s rising is either a real instance of the general hope, or the whole Christian claim collapses. Theology and history are joined: deny the one, and you undermine the other.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither hath Christ been raised:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither hath Christ been raised:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But if there is no coming back from the dead, then Christ has not come back from the dead:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and if there be no rising again of dead persons, neither hath Christ risen;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen again.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But if there is not a resurrection of [those that are] dead, neither is Christ raised:

Context

Paul begins a series of conditionals (vv. 13–19) that expose the consequences of denying resurrection. Verse 13 draws the initial inference: no resurrection equals no risen Christ. The following verses extend this logic to preaching, faith, witnesses, sin, and hope. This tight reasoning arises from the unified message just affirmed (v. 11). The context moves from confronting inconsistency (v. 12) to showing its destructive outcome step by step.

v.12Now if Christ is preached that he hath been raised from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

v.13This passage

v.14and if Christ hath not been raised, then is our preaching vain, your faith also is vain.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 8:11

    But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

  • Colossians 3:1

    If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.

  • 1 Peter 1:3

    Blessedbethe God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

  • Romans 4:24

    but for our sake also, unto whom it shall be reckoned, who believe on him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,

  • 2 Timothy 4:8

    henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.

  • Hebrews 2:14

    Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same; that through death he might bring to nought him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

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