1 Corinthians 15:12-58

The Resurrection of the Dead

12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, z how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, a then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that b he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and c you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who d have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope 1 in this life only, e we are of all people most to be pitied.

20 But in fact f Christ has been raised from the dead, g the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as h by a man came death, i by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For j as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then k at his coming l those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers m the kingdom to God the Father after destroying n every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign o until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be p destroyed is death. 27 For q "God 2 has put all things in subjection under his feet." But when it says, "all things are put in subjection," it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When r all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that s God may be all in all.

29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? 30 Why are we t in danger every hour? 31 I protest, brothers, by u my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, v I die every day! 32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, w I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, x "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." 33 y Do not be deceived: z "Bad company ruins good morals." 3 34 a Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For b some have no knowledge of God. c I say this to your shame.

The Resurrection Body

35 But someone will ask, d "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?" 36 You foolish person! e What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37 And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. 38 But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. 39 For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. 40 There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.

42 f So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor; g 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. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 Thus it is written, h "The first man Adam became a living being"; 4 i the last Adam became a j life-giving spirit. 46 But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. 47 k The first man was from the earth, l a man of dust; m the second man is from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, n so also are those who are of heaven. 49 Just o as we have borne the image of the man of dust, p we shall 5 also bear the image of the man of heaven.

Mystery and Victory

50 I tell you this, brothers: q flesh and blood r cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. s We shall not all sleep, t but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For u the trumpet will sound, and v the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and w this mortal body must put on immortality.

54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
x "Death is swallowed up in victory."
 55 y "O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?"

56 The sting of death is sin, and z the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, a who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 b Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in c the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord d your labor is not in vain.

  1. Cross References
    Acts 23:8
    For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.
    2 Timothy 2:18
    Who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.
  2. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 4:14
    For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
  3. Cross References
    Acts 2:24
    God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
  4. Cross References
    Romans 4:25
    Who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
  5. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 4:16
    For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
    Revelation 14:13
    And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Blessed indeed," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!
  6. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 4:9
    For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.
    2 Timothy 3:12
    Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
  7. Cross References
    2 Timothy 2:8
    Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel.
    1 Peter 1:3
    Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
  8. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 15:23
    But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.
    Acts 26:23
    That the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.
  9. Cross References
    Romans 5:12
    Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned -
  10. Cross References
    John 11:25
    Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.
    Romans 6:23
    For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
  11. Cross References
    Romans 5:14 - 18
    Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.
  12. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 2:19
    For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?
  13. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 15:52
    In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.
    1 Thessalonians 4:16
    For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
    Luke 14:14
    And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.
  14. Cross References
    Daniel 7:14
    And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
    Daniel 7:27
    And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; their kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey them.
  15. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:21
    Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
  16. Cross References
    Psalms 110:1
    The Lord says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.
  17. Cross References
    2 Timothy 1:10
    And which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
    Revelation 20:14
    Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
    Revelation 21:4
    He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.
  18. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:22
    And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church.
    Psalms 8:6
    You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet.
    Matthew 11:27
    All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
    Matthew 28:18
    And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
  19. Cross References
    Psalms 8:6
    You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet.
  20. Cross References
    Philippians 3:21
    Who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
  21. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 3:23
    And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.
    1 Corinthians 11:3
    But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.
  22. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 11:26
    On frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers.
  23. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 2:19
    For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?
  24. Cross References
    Luke 9:23
    And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
    Romans 8:36
    As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.
  25. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 1:8
    For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.
  26. Cross References
    Isaiah 22:13
    And behold, joy and gladness, killing oxen and slaughtering sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine. "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.
    Isaiah 56:12
    "Come," they say, "let me get wine; let us fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow will be like this day, great beyond measure."
    Luke 12:19
    And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.
  27. Cross References
    Isaiah 22:13
    And behold, joy and gladness, killing oxen and slaughtering sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine. "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.
  28. Cross References
    James 1:16
    Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
  29. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 5:6
    Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?
  30. Cross References
    Romans 13:11
    Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.
  31. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 4:5
    Not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.
  32. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 6:5
    I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers.
    1 Corinthians 4:14
    I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children.
  33. Cross References
    Ezekiel 37:3
    And he said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" And I answered, "O Lord God, you know.
  34. Cross References
    John 12:24
    Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
  35. Cross References
    Daniel 12:3
    And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
    Matthew 13:43
    Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
  36. Cross References
    Philippians 3:21
    Who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
    Colossians 3:4
    When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
  37. Cross References
    Genesis 2:7
    Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.
  38. Cross References
    Romans 5:14
    Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.
  39. Cross References
    John 5:21
    For as the Father raises the dead and gives the...
    John 6:33
    For the bread of God is he who comes down from ...
    John 6:39 - 40
    And this is the will of him who sent me, that I...
    John 6:54
    Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood h...
    John 6:57
    As the living Father sent me, and I live becaus...
    Romans 8:2
    For the law of the Spirit of life has set you f...
    Romans 8:10
    But if Christ is in you, although the body is d...
  40. Cross References
    Genesis 2:7
    Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.
  41. Cross References
    John 3:31
    He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all.
  42. Cross References
    Genesis 2:7
    Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.
    Genesis 3:19
    By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.
  43. Cross References
    John 3:13
    No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.
    John 3:31
    He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all.
  44. Cross References
    Philippians 3:20
    But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
  45. Cross References
    Genesis 5:3
    When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.
  46. Cross References
    Romans 8:29
    For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
  47. Cross References
    Matthew 16:17
    And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
  48. Cross References
    John 3:3
    Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.
    John 3:5
    Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
  49. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 4:15
    For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
    1 Thessalonians 4:17
    Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
  50. Cross References
    Philippians 3:21
    Who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
  51. Cross References
    Matthew 24:31
    And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
    1 Thessalonians 4:16
    For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
    Isaiah 27:13
    And in that day a great trumpet will be blown, and those who were lost in the land of Assyria and those who were driven out to the land of Egypt will come and worship the Lord on the holy mountain at Jerusalem.
    Zechariah 9:14
    Then the Lord will appear over them, and his arrow will go forth like lightning; the Lord God will sound the trumpet and will march forth in the whirlwinds of the south.
  52. Cross References
    John 5:25
    Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.
    John 5:28
    Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice
    Luke 20:36
    For they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.
  53. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 5:2 - 4
    For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling.
  54. Cross References
    Isaiah 25:8
    He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.
    Hebrews 2:14 - 15
    Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.
    Revelation 20:14
    Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
    Revelation 21:4
    He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.
  55. Cross References
    Isaiah 25:8
    He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.
  56. Cross References
    Hosea 13:14
    Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from Death? O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion is hidden from my eyes.
  57. Cross References
    Romans 4:15
    For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.
    Romans 5:13
    For sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law.
    Romans 7:5
    For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death.
    Romans 7:8
    But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead.
    Romans 7:13
    Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.
  58. Cross References
    Romans 8:37
    No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
    1 John 5:4
    For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith.
  59. Cross References
    2 Peter 3:14
    Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.
  60. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 16:10
    When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am.
    Jeremiah 48:10
    Cursed is he who does the work of the Lord with slackness, and cursed is he who keeps back his sword from bloodshed.
    John 6:28
    Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?
  61. Cross References
    Galatians 6:9
    And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
    1 Corinthians 3:8
    He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.