1 Corinthians 15:29

Else (epei). Otherwise, if not true. On this use of epei with ellipsis see on Colossians 5:10 ; Colossians 7:14 . Which are baptized for the dead (oi baptizomenoi uper twn nekrwn). This passage remains a puzzle. Stanley gives thirteen interpretations, no one of which may be correct. Over thirty have been suggested. The Greek expositors took it to be about the dead (uper in sense of peri as often as in 2 Corinthians 1:6 ) since baptism is a burial and a resurrection ( Romans 6:2-6 ). Tertullian tells of some heretics who took it to mean baptized in the place of dead people (unsaved) in order to save them. Some take it to be baptism over the dead. Others take it to mean that Paul and others were in peril of death as shown by baptism (see verse Romans 30 ). At all (olw). See on Romans 5:1 .