The Resurrection of the Dead

12 Now if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and [fn]your faith is also in vain. 15 We are even found to be false witnesses about God, because we have testified against God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if indeed 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; you are still in your sins. 18 Furthermore, those who have fallen asleep in Christ have also perished. 19 If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

20 But as it is, Christ has been raised from the [fn]dead; he has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a man. 22 For just as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he hands the kingdom over to God the Father, after he has 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 to be abolished is death. 27 For God “has put everything in subjection under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything has been put in subjection,” it is evident that it does not include God himself, who put everything in subjection to Christ. 28 Now when everything has been subjected to him, the Son himself will [fn]also be subjected to him who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all.

29 Otherwise, what are people doing when they get baptized for the dead? If the dead are not actually raised, why are people getting baptized for them? 30 And why do we put ourselves in danger every hour? 31 I die daily! Yes, just as surely as [fn]I boast about [fn]you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what did it benefit me? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” 34 Come to your senses, as is right, and stop sinning. For there are some who are ignorant of God. I say this to your shame.