1 Corinthians 15:14
And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
Original Language Analysis
ἐγήγερται
be
G1453
ἐγήγερται
be
Strong's:
G1453
Word #:
5 of 16
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
ἄρα
then
G686
ἄρα
then
Strong's:
G686
Word #:
7 of 16
a particle denoting an inference more or less decisive (as follows)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κήρυγμα
preaching
G2782
κήρυγμα
preaching
Strong's:
G2782
Word #:
9 of 16
a proclamation (especially of the gospel; by implication, the gospel itself)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 15:17And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.1 Thessalonians 4:14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.Acts 17:31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.Matthew 15:9But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.James 2:20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?Galatians 2:2And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.Isaiah 49:4Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God.1 Corinthians 15:2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
Historical Context
Paul wrote in an era of religious pluralism—mystery religions, emperor worship, philosophical schools all competed. Yet Paul doesn't say 'all religions lead to God' or 'Christianity offers superior ethics.' He claims unique historical event: God raised Jesus from death. This falsifiable claim made Christianity vulnerable to disproof—but also evidentially verifiable.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christianity's dependence on historical facts distinguish it from religions based on timeless truths or myths?
- What would Paul say to those who claim 'Jesus rose in my heart' while denying physical resurrection?
- Why is Christianity more vulnerable than other religions—and how is this vulnerability actually a strength?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain (εἰ δὲ Χριστὸς οὐκ ἐγήγερται, κενὸν ἄρα τὸ κήρυγμα ἡμῶν)—The word kenon (κενόν, "empty, void") appears twice. Paul's entire ministry—kērygma (κήρυγμα, "proclamation")—rests on resurrection. If false, apostolic preaching is kenon, devoid of content and power. Christianity is not moral philosophy or religious feeling—it's proclamation of historical event.
And your faith is also vain (κενὴ καὶ ἡ πίστις ὑμῶν)—The Corinthians' pistis (πίστις, "faith, trust") would be kenē, empty. Faith is only as good as its object. Faith in a dead messiah is delusion. Paul stakes everything on historical fact—resurrection is not symbol or metaphor but event. Without it, Christianity collapses into meaningless mythology.