1 Corinthians 15:12
New International Version
But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

New Living Translation
But tell me this—since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead?

English Standard Version
Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

Berean Standard Bible
But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

Berean Literal Bible
Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised out from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

King James Bible
Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

New King James Version
Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

New American Standard Bible
Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

NASB 1995
Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

NASB 1977
Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

Legacy Standard Bible
Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

Amplified Bible
Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how is it that some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

Christian Standard Bible
Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say, “There is no resurrection of the dead”?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say, “There is no resurrection of the dead"?

American Standard Version
Now 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?

Contemporary English Version
If we preach that Christ was raised from death, how can some of you say the dead will not be raised to life?

English Revised Version
Now 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?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If we have told you that Christ has been brought back to life, how can some of you say that coming back from the dead is impossible?

Good News Translation
Now, since our message is that Christ has been raised from death, how can some of you say that the dead will not be raised to life?

International Standard Version
Now if we preach that the Messiah has been raised from the dead, how can some of you keep claiming there is no resurrection of the dead?

Majority Standard Bible
But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

NET Bible
Now if Christ is being preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead?

New Heart English Bible
Now if Christ is preached, that he has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

Webster's Bible Translation
Now if Christ is preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

Weymouth New Testament
But if Christ is preached as having risen from the dead, how is it that some of you say that there is no such thing as a resurrection of the dead?

World English Bible
Now if Christ is preached, that he has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And if Christ is preached, that He has risen out of the dead, how [do] certain among you say that there is no resurrection of [the] dead?

Berean Literal Bible
Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised out from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

Young's Literal Translation
And if Christ is preached, that out of the dead he hath risen, how say certain among you, that there is no rising again of dead persons?

Smith's Literal Translation
And if Christ is proclaimed that he arose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no rising up of the dead?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now if Christ be preached, that he arose again from the dead, how do some among you say, that there is no resurrection of the dead?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now if Christ is preached, that he rose again from the dead, how is it that some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

New American Bible
But if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some among you say there is no resurrection of the dead?

New Revised Standard Version
Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now if it is preached that Christ rose from the dead, how can some say among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But if The Messiah who arose from among the dead is preached, how are there some among you who say there is no life for the dead?
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But if Christ is preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you, that a resurrection of the dead is impossible?

Godbey New Testament
But if Christ is preached that he is risen from the dead, how do certain ones among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

Haweis New Testament
But if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you, that there is no resurrection of the dead?

Mace New Testament
Now if it has been declared, that Christ rose from the dead, how comes it, that some among you assert, "there is no resurrection of the dead?"

Weymouth New Testament
But if Christ is preached as having risen from the dead, how is it that some of you say that there is no such thing as a resurrection of the dead?

Worrell New Testament
Now 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.

Worsley New Testament
Now if it be preached that Christ is risen from the dead, how say some among you, that there is no resurrection of the dead?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Resurrection of the Dead
11Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed. 12But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.…

Cross References
Acts 17:32
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to mock him, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this topic.”

Romans 6:5
For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection.

2 Timothy 2:18
who have deviated from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already occurred, and they undermine the faith of some.

Acts 23:8
For the Sadducees say that there is neither a resurrection nor angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.

Romans 8:11
And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.

Philippians 3:10-11
I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death, / and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

1 Thessalonians 4:14
For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. / And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Acts 4:2
greatly disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.

1 Peter 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Matthew 22:23
That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and questioned Him.

Luke 20:27
Then some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to question Him.

John 5:28-29
Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice / and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

Acts 26:8
Why would any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?

Romans 1:4
and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.


Treasury of Scripture

Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

if.

1 Corinthians 15:4
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

how.

1 Corinthians 15:13-19
But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: …

Acts 26:8
Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?

2 Thessalonians 2:17
Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

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Christ Dead Good News Persons Preached Raised Resurrection Risen Rising Rose
1 Corinthians 15
1. By Christ's resurrection,
12. he proves the necessity of our resurrection,
16. against all such as deny the resurrection of the body.
21. The fruit,
35. and the manner thereof;
51. and of the resurrection of those who shall be found alive at the last day.














But if it is preached
The phrase "But if it is preached" introduces a conditional statement that Paul uses to address the Corinthian church. The Greek word for "preached" is "κηρύσσεται" (kērússetai), which means to proclaim or herald. In the early church, preaching was the primary means of spreading the Gospel. This proclamation was not just a casual announcement but a bold declaration of truth. The historical context here is crucial, as the early Christians faced significant opposition and persecution, yet they continued to preach the resurrection of Christ as the cornerstone of their faith.

that Christ has been raised from the dead
The resurrection of Christ is central to Christian doctrine. The Greek term "ἐγήγερται" (egēgertai) is used here, which is in the perfect tense, indicating a completed action with ongoing effects. This signifies that Christ's resurrection is not just a past event but has present and eternal implications. Historically, the resurrection was a radical claim that set Christianity apart from other religions and philosophies of the time. It affirmed Jesus' divinity and the truth of His teachings, providing hope and assurance of eternal life to believers.

how can some of you say
Paul addresses a specific issue within the Corinthian church, where some members doubted the resurrection of the dead. The phrase "how can some of you say" reflects Paul's astonishment and concern. The Greek word "λέγουσιν" (legousin) implies a continuous action, suggesting that this was an ongoing issue. This disbelief could have stemmed from Greek philosophical influences, such as Platonism, which viewed the physical body as inferior to the spiritual realm, leading some to reject the idea of bodily resurrection.

that there is no resurrection of the dead?
The denial of the resurrection of the dead is a significant theological error that Paul seeks to correct. The Greek word for "resurrection" is "ἀνάστασις" (anastasis), meaning a rising up or standing again. This term is used throughout the New Testament to describe the future bodily resurrection of believers. The historical context reveals that the concept of resurrection was a contentious issue, not only in Corinth but also in broader Jewish and Greco-Roman thought. For Christians, the resurrection is a foundational belief that affirms God's power over death and the promise of eternal life. Paul emphasizes that denying the resurrection undermines the entire Gospel message, as it is intrinsically linked to Christ's own resurrection and the hope of believers.

(12) If Christ be preached that he rose from the dead.--Better, is being preached. It has been proved as a matter of historical fact that a man has risen from the dead; it is therefore illogical to say that there is no resurrection of the dead.

Verses 12-19. - The resurrection of Christ is the basis of our faith in the general resurrection. Verse 12. - Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead. St. Paul sees that if One has risen from the dead, the fact of that miracle, taken in connection with the rest of the gospel, furnishes Christians with a sufficient proof that they shall rise. "For," he had already said to the Thessalonians, "if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him" (see the same argument in Romans 8:11). That there is no resurrection of the dead. These deniers of the resurrection are usually called "the Corinthian Sadducees." After the state of social and moral laxity of which we have been reading, we can scarcely be surprised at the existence of any disorder or anomaly in the Church of Corinth. Yet it comes with something of a shock on our paralyzed sense of astonishment to read that some of these Christians actually denied a resurrection! The fact at once proves two remarkable truths, namely,

(1) that the early Christian Church had none of the ideal purity of doctrine which is sometimes ecclesiastically attributed to it; and

(2) that there was in the bosom of that Church a wide and most forbearing tolerance. We have no data to enable us to determine what were the influences which led to the denial of the resurrection.

1. They can hardly have been Jewish. The mass of Jews at this time shared the views of the Pharisees, who strongly maintained the resurrection (Acts 23:6). If they were Jews at all, they could only have been Sadducees or Essenes. But . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

if
Εἰ (Ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

it is preached
κηρύσσεται (kēryssetai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2784: To proclaim, herald, preach. Of uncertain affinity; to herald, especially divine truth.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

Christ
Χριστὸς (Christos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

has been raised
ἐγήγερται (egēgertai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1453: (a) I wake, arouse, (b) I raise up. Probably akin to the base of agora; to waken, i.e. Rouse.

from
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

[the] dead,
νεκρῶν (nekrōn)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3498: (a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun: a dead body, a corpse. From an apparently primary nekus; dead.

how
πῶς (pōs)
Adverb
Strong's 4459: Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much!

{can} some
τινες (tines)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

of
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

you
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

say
λέγουσιν (legousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

there is
ἔστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

no
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

resurrection
ἀνάστασις (anastasis)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 386: A rising again, resurrection. From anistemi; a standing up again, i.e. a resurrection from death (its author), or a recovery.

of [the] dead?
νεκρῶν (nekrōn)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3498: (a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun: a dead body, a corpse. From an apparently primary nekus; dead.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 15:12 Now if Christ is preached that he (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 15:11
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