Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 15:16

What does 1 Corinthians 15:16 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 15:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 15:16 means

Paul reiterates the premise to drive it home: if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. Repetition here is deliberate; the entire argument pivots on this hinge. The Corinthians’ denial is not compatible with their confession. By restating the point, Paul ensures there is no escape route through vague compromise. The resurrection of Jesus stands as a test case for the general resurrection. If the latter is impossible, so is the former; if the former is true, it guarantees the latter. This verse keeps the logic tight and the stakes clear.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

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

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For if [those that are] dead are not raised, neither is Christ raised;

Context

This brief restatement (v. 16) reinforces the logic established in vv. 13–15 before Paul proceeds to further consequences in v. 17. It functions as a rhetorical anchor in the argument, ensuring the reader connects each subsequent implication back to the central claim. The flow remains cumulative: each step (vain faith, false witnesses, unforgiven sin, lost dead, pitiable hope) adds pressure to abandon the denial of resurrection.

v.15Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we witnessed of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead are not raised.

v.16This passage

v.17and if Christ hath not been raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

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