Explain Bible

1 Corinthians 15

WEB · Reformed Bible Explanation · Last updated August 2026

1 Corinthians 15 declares that the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is the historical and saving center of the gospel. Because the risen Christ is the “first fruits,” all who belong to Him will also be raised, death will be destroyed, and faithful labor for the Lord can never be empty or wasted.

Bible Text

[1] Now I declare to you, brothers, the Gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which you also stand, [2] by which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word which I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. [3] For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, [4] that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, [5] and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. [6] Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep. [7] Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, [8] and last of all, as to the child born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also. [9] For I am the least of the apostles, who is not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the assembly of God. [10] But by the grace of God I am what I am. His grace which was bestowed on me was not futile, but I worked more than all of them; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. [11] Whether then it is I or they, so we preach, and so you believed. [12] 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? [13] But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ been raised. [14] If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith also is in vain. [15] Yes, we are found false witnesses of God, because we testified about God that he raised up Christ, whom he didn't raise up, if it is so that the dead are not raised. [16] For if the dead aren't raised, neither has Christ been raised. [17] If Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. [18] Then they also who are fallen asleep in Christ have perished. [19] If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable. [20] But now Christ has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruits of those who are asleep. [21] For since death came by man, the resurrection of the dead also came by man. [22] For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. [23] But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then those who are Christ's, at his coming. [24] Then the end comes, when he will deliver up the Kingdom to God, even the Father; when he will have abolished all rule and all authority and power. [25] For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. [26] The last enemy that will be abolished is death. [27] For, "He put all things in subjection under his feet." But when he says, "All things are put in subjection," it is evident that he is excepted who subjected all things to him. [28] When all things have been subjected to him, then the Son will also himself be subjected to him who subjected all things to him, that God may be all in all. [29] Or else what will they do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead aren't raised at all, why then are they baptized for the dead? [30] Why do we also stand in jeopardy every hour? [31] I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. [32] If I fought with animals at Ephesus for human purposes, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, then "let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." [33] Don't be deceived! "Evil companionships corrupt good morals." [34] Wake up righteously, and don't sin, for some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. [35] But someone will say, "How are the dead raised?" and, "With what kind of body do they come?" [36] You foolish one, that which you yourself sow is not made alive unless it dies. [37] That which you sow, you don't sow the body that will be, but a bare grain, maybe of wheat, or of some other kind. [38] But God gives it a body even as it pleased him, and to each seed a body of its own. [39] All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds. [40] There are also celestial bodies, and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial differs from that of the terrestrial. [41] There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. [42] So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption. [43] It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. [44] It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is also a spiritual body. [45] So also it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living soul." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. [46] However that which is spiritual isn't first, but that which is natural, then that which is spiritual. [47] The first man is of the earth, made of dust. The second man is the Lord from heaven. [48] As is the one made of dust, such are those who are also made of dust; and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. [49] As we have borne the image of those made of dust, let's also bear the image of the heavenly. [50] Now I say this, brothers, that flesh and blood can't inherit the Kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption. [51] Behold, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, [52] in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. [53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. [54] But when this corruptible will have put on incorruption, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then what is written will happen: "Death is swallowed up in victory." [55] "Death, where is your sting? Hades, where is your victory?" [56] The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. [57] But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. [58] Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord's work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Word study (Berean Standard Bible)

Click any word to see the original Greek or Hebrew, its Strong's entry, and where else it appears in the Bible.

1Now, brothers, I want to remind you [of] the gospel I preached to you, which you received, and in which you stand firm. 2By [this gospel] you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, . . . . . . you have believed in vain. 3For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5and that He appeared to Cephas [and] then to the Twelve. 6After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living . . . . . ., though some have fallen asleep. 7Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8And last of all He appeared to me also, as to [one] of untimely birth. 9For I am the least of the apostles [and] am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10But [by the] grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them— yet not I, but the grace of God that [was] with me. 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. 14And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching [is] worthless, and [so is] your faith. 15In that case, we are also exposed as false witnesses about God. For we have testified about God that He raised Christ {from the dead}, [but] He did not raise [Him] if in fact [the] dead are not raised. 16For if [the] dead are not raised, then not even Christ has been raised. 17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18Then those also {who} have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19If our hope in Christ [is] for this life alone, we are to be pitied more than all men. 20But Christ {has} indeed been raised from [the] dead, [the] firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21For since death [came] through a man, [the] resurrection of [the] dead [comes] also through a man. 22For as in Adam all die, so . . . in Christ all will be made alive. 23But each in [his] own turn: Christ [the] firstfruits; then at His coming, those who belong to [Him]. 24Then the end [will come], when He hands over the kingdom to God [the] Father after He has destroyed all dominion, authority, and power. 25For He must reign until . . . He has put all [His] enemies under His feet. 26[The] last enemy to be destroyed [is] death. 27For [God] has put everything under His feet.” Now when it says that everything has been put under Him, this clearly [does] not include the [One who] put everything under . . . . . . Him. 28And when all things have been subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will be made subject to Him who put all things {under} Him, so that God may be all in all. 29If [these things are] not so, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If [the] dead are not raised at all, why are [people] baptized for them? 30And why {do} we endanger ourselves every hour? 31I face death every day, brothers, as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for human [motives], what did I gain . . .? If [the] dead are not raised, Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33{Do} not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good character.” 34Sober up as you ought, and stop sinning; for some [ of you ] are ignorant of God. I say this to your shame. 35But someone will ask, How {are} the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come? 36You fool! What you sow does not come to life unless . . . it dies. 37And what you sow [is] not the body that will be, but [just] a seed, perhaps . . . of wheat or something else. 38But God gives it a body as He has designed, and to each [kind] of seed [He gives] its own body. 39Not all flesh [is] the same: Men [have] one [kind of] flesh, animals [have] another , birds another , and fish another. 40[There are] also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies. But the splendor of the heavenly [bodies] [is of] one [degree], and [the splendor] of the earthly [bodies] [is of] another. 41[The] sun [has] one [degree of] splendor, [the] moon another , and [the] stars another ; and star differs from star in splendor. 42So [will it be] with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown [is] perishable; it is raised imperishable. 43It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 44It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual [body]. 45So it is written: The first man Adam became . . . a living being”; the last Adam a life-giving spirit. 46The spiritual, however, [was] not first, but the natural, and then the spiritual. 47The first man [was] of the dust of [the] earth, the second man from heaven. 48As [was] the earthly [man], so also [are] those who are of the earth; and as [is] the heavenly [man], so also [are] those who are of heaven. 49And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly [man], so also shall we bear the likeness of the heavenly [man]. 50Now I declare [to you] , brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit [the] kingdom of God, nor {does} the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51Listen, I tell you a mystery: {We will} not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52in an instant, in [the] twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53For the perishable must be clothed with [the] imperishable, and the mortal [with] immortality. 54When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal [with] immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55Where, O Death, [is] your victory? Where, O Death, [is] your sting?” 56The sting of death [is] sin, and the power of sin [is] the law. 57But thanks [be] to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! 58Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast [and] immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in [the] Lord is not in vain.

Strong's dictionary data: Open Scriptures (CC BY-SA). Word data: Berean Standard Bible (public domain).

Cross-references by phrase

Connections anchored to exact phrases of this passage, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · CrossReferences.org (CC BY)

What does 1 Corinthians 15 mean?

The Heart of This Passage

1 Corinthians 15 declares that the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is the historical and saving center of the gospel. Because the risen Christ is the “first fruits,” all who belong to Him will also be raised, death will be destroyed, and faithful labor for the Lord can never be empty or wasted.

Context

Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, a gifted but troubled congregation struggling with division, immorality, and doctrinal confusion. In the closing major section of the letter, he addresses some who professed Christ’s resurrection yet denied a future bodily resurrection for believers.

Paul begins by restating the apostolic gospel they had received: Christ died for our sins, was buried, rose on the third day, and appeared to many eyewitnesses. This is not a private spiritual idea but public, historical truth. The chapter then moves from Christ’s resurrection (vv. 1–11), to its necessity for salvation and Christian hope (vv. 12–34), to the nature of the resurrection body (vv. 35–57), and finally to a summons for steadfast service (v. 58).

What It Teaches

First, the gospel is Christ-centered, substitutionary, and historical. Christ “died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” His death was not merely an example of love; He bore the guilt and judgment His people deserved. His burial confirms that He truly died, while His resurrection confirms that His sacrifice was accepted and that sin and death have been conquered. Christ’s burial belongs to His humiliation, and His rising on the third day belongs to His exaltation (1695 Baptist Catechism Q30; 1695 Baptist Catechism Q31).

Second, the resurrection is essential, not optional. Paul’s repeated argument is plain: if Christ has not been raised, preaching is empty, faith is empty, believers remain in their sins, and deceased Christians have perished. A dead Savior cannot justify guilty sinners. But Christ has been raised. Therefore His people are forgiven, accepted before God, and assured that death cannot finally hold them. His resurrection is the Father’s declaration that Christ’s atoning work has prevailed; compare Romans 4:25.

Third, Paul presents humanity under two covenant heads: Adam and Christ. “In Adam all die”; Adam’s sin brought death into the world and condemnation upon his natural descendants. Yet “in Christ all will be made alive”—not every person without exception, but all who are united to Christ by sovereign grace and faith. Christ is the “last Adam,” the representative Head of His redeemed people. As Adam’s image marks us with weakness, corruption, and mortality, Christ will transform His people to bear His heavenly image. This is covenant theology in its saving fullness: ruin through the first man, redemption and restoration through the second.

Fourth, Christ reigns now as the victorious King. He “must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.” His kingdom advances as He subdues His people to Himself, rules and defends them, and conquers every enemy—including death itself (1695 Baptist Catechism Q29). The Son’s final submission to the Father does not imply inferiority in His divine nature. Rather, it displays the completed mediatorial kingdom: the incarnate Son has perfectly accomplished the saving mission given Him, so that “God may be all in all.”

Fifth, Christian hope is bodily and glorious. Paul does not teach escape from physical existence, but resurrection and transformation. The “spiritual body” is not an immaterial body; it is a real body perfectly animated, empowered, and governed by the Holy Spirit. What is sown corruptible, dishonored, and weak will be raised incorruptible, glorious, and powerful. At Christ’s return, both sleeping saints and living believers will be changed instantly.

Paul’s reference to baptism “for the dead” is difficult. It cannot authorize proxy baptism, since Scripture teaches personal faith in Christ, not rites performed on behalf of others. Paul’s main point is clear: even the Corinthians’ own practices and sacrifices made no sense if the dead are not raised. The resurrection is the foundation for costly discipleship.

Finally, grace produces labor without producing pride. Paul calls himself unworthy because he persecuted the church, yet says, “By the grace of God I am what I am.” Divine grace did not make him passive; it energized his service. Still, he refuses self-congratulation: “not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (Chrysostom on 1 Corinthians 15:10). The apostles spoke with one united gospel voice, so the Corinthians had no reason to invent a different message (Chrysostom on 1 Corinthians 15:11).

Living It Out

The resurrection calls believers to stand firmly when suffering, aging, temptation, or grief make death seem powerful. In Christ, death has a sting only because of sin, but Christ has borne sin’s curse and fulfilled the law’s demands for His people. Therefore believers may grieve, but not as those without hope; see 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

This hope also rejects the practical unbelief of “eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” What we believe about eternity shapes our moral life now. We should “wake up righteously,” flee corrupting companionship, pursue holiness, and serve Christ with endurance.

Verse 58 gives the practical conclusion: be steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the Lord’s work. Our works do not earn salvation; we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Yet work done in union with the risen Lord is never vain. As Matthew Henry observes, resurrection hope strengthens believers amid life’s pressures, removes the terror of death, and motivates persevering obedience (Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 15:58).

Related Passages

  • Romans 5:12-21 — Paul more fully explains Adam and Christ as the two representative heads of humanity.
  • Romans 8:18-25 — Creation and believers alike await the redemption and resurrection of the body.
  • Philippians 3:20-21 — Christ will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.
  • Revelation 21:1-4 — The final removal of death, mourning, and pain displays the completion of Christ’s victory.

Sources

  • Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:58
  • John Chrysostom on 1 Corinthians 15:10
  • John Chrysostom on 1 Corinthians 15:11
  • 1695 Baptist Catechism Q29
  • 1695 Baptist Catechism Q30
  • 1695 Baptist Catechism Q31

Continue studying:

Related passages (reader-ranked)

Passages readers connect with this one. The number shows how many readers marked the connection helpful · OpenBible.info (CC BY)

This passage speaks to:

Ephesus was a major Roman city on the west coast of Asia Minor, where Paul ministered for an extended period. In 1 Corinthians 15:32, his reference to fighting “beasts at Ephesus” underscores the real cost and danger of gospel ministry, which makes no sense apart from the sure hope of bodily resurrection.

Places in this passage

1 Corinthians 15 mentions Ephesus.

Ephesus · Benh LIEU SONG

Place data & photos: OpenBible.info (CC BY). Map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors.