1 Corinthians 15:16

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

εἰ if G1487
εἰ if
Strong's: G1487
Word #: 1 of 8
if, whether, that, etc
γὰρ For G1063
γὰρ For
Strong's: G1063
Word #: 2 of 8
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
νεκροὶ the dead G3498
νεκροὶ the dead
Strong's: G3498
Word #: 3 of 8
dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)
οὐκ not G3756
οὐκ not
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 4 of 8
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
ἐγήγερται· is G1453
ἐγήγερται· is
Strong's: G1453
Word #: 5 of 8
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
οὐδὲ then G3761
οὐδὲ then
Strong's: G3761
Word #: 6 of 8
not however, i.e., neither, nor, not even
Χριστὸς not Christ G5547
Χριστὸς not Christ
Strong's: G5547
Word #: 7 of 8
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus
ἐγήγερται· is G1453
ἐγήγερται· is
Strong's: G1453
Word #: 8 of 8
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from

Analysis & Commentary

For if the dead rise not (εἰ γὰρ νεκροὶ οὐκ ἐγείρονται)—Paul repeats his premise, driving home the logical connection. The verb egeirontai (ἐγείρονται, "are raised") is present passive, indicating ongoing divine action. Resurrection is God's action upon the dead, not self-generated resuscitation.

Then is not Christ raised (οὐδὲ Χριστὸς ἐγήγερται)—The perfect tense emphasizes Christ's resurrection as completed event with continuing results. Paul's logic is relentless: general resurrection and Christ's resurrection stand or fall together. Christ is not exception to natural law but inauguration of new creation. His resurrection is the "firstfruits" (v. 20)—if the firstfruits exist, the harvest follows. You can't have firstfruits without harvest.

Historical Context

Jewish apocalyptic theology anticipated general resurrection at the end of the age (Daniel 12:2, Isaiah 26:19). Early Christians' radical claim was that one man had been raised *within* history, ahead of the general resurrection—inaugurating the age to come while the present age continued. Christ's resurrection is 'already/not yet'—the future breaking into the present.

Questions for Reflection

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