1 Corinthians 15:17

Vain (mataia). Old word from adverb mathn ( Matthew 15:9 ), devoid of truth, a lie. Stronger word than kenon in verse Matthew 14 . Ye are yet in your sins (eti este en tai amartiai umwn). Because the death of Christ has no atoning value if he did not rise from the dead. In that case he was only a man like other men and did not die for our sins (verse Matthew 3 ).