For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised. ] This is a repetition of the argument in ( 1 Corinthians 15:13 ) made partly to show the importance of it, and partly to observe other absurdities, following upon the conclusion of it.
14
but if Christ is not raised, then, indeed, vain also [is] our preaching, and vain also your faith.
15
And we are found also false witnesses of God; for we have witnessed concerning God that he raised the Christ, whom he has not raised if indeed [those that are] dead are not raised.
16
For if [those that are] dead are not raised, neither is Christ raised;
17
but if Christ be not raised, your faith [is] vain; ye are yet in your sins.
18
Then indeed also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
Footnotes 1
[a].
'Are not raised,' vers. 15,16, applies to the abstract fact whenever it may be; the doctrinal fact as to dead people; 'he (Christ) is raised,' vers. 12,13,16,20, is an accomplished but continuing fact. The English tenses do not always secure this distinction. I have not put 'do not rise,' because then the thought of being raised by God is lost.