Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 15:29

What does 1 Corinthians 15:29 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 15:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 15:29 means

Paul appeals to a puzzling local practice—baptism “for the dead”—as an argument ad hominem: if there is no resurrection, why would some undergo such rites? He does not endorse or explain the practice; he uses it to reveal inconsistency. Even those with confused customs show by them that they expect a future beyond death. The point stands without approving the ritual: the Christian hope of resurrection is the only foundation that makes suffering, sacrifice, and even misguided zeal reasonable. If death ends everything, such actions are pointless. Resurrection alone justifies them and calls us back to sound doctrine.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Else what shall they do that are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Else what shall they do that are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Again, what will they do who are given baptism for the dead? if the dead do not come back at all, why are people given baptism for them?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Seeing what shall they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? why also are they baptized for the dead?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Otherwise, what shall they do that are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not again at all? Why are they then baptized for them?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Since what shall the baptised for the dead do if [those that are] dead rise not at all? why also are they baptised for them?

Context

After the grand eschatological vision (vv. 23–28), Paul returns to immediate, practical arguments supporting resurrection. Verse 29 uses a local custom to expose inconsistency. Verses 30–32 appeal to the apostles’ sufferings, and vv. 33–34 exhort moral vigilance. This section prepares for the next major topic: the manner of the resurrection (vv. 35–49). The context shows Paul arguing from multiple angles—tradition, logic, experience, and ethics—to restore confidence in bodily resurrection.

v.28And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that God may be all in all.

v.29This passage

v.30why do we also stand in jeopardy every hour?

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 20:22

    But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink the cup that I am about to drink? They say unto him, We are able.

  • Romans 6:3

    Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

  • 1 Corinthians 15:32

    If after the manner of men I fought with beasts at Ephesus, what doth it profit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:16

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

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