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parallelVerse INT GEN EXO LEV NUM DEU JOS JDG RUTH 1SA 2SA PSA AMOS HOS 1KI 2KI 1CH 2CH PRO ECC SNG JOEL MIC ISA ZEP HAB JER LAM YNA NAH OBA DAN EZE EZRA EST NEH HAG ZEC MAL JOB YHN MARK MAT LUKE ACTs YAC GAL 1TH 2TH 1COR 2COR ROM COL PHM EPH PHP 1TIM TIT 1PET 2PET 2TIM HEB YUD 1YHN 2YHN 3YHN REV
1Cor Intro C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 C10 C11 C12 C13 C14 C15 C16
1Cor 15 V1 V3 V5 V7 V9 V11 V13 V15 V17 V19 V21 V23 V25 V27 V31 V33 V35 V37 V39 V41 V43 V45 V47 V49 V51 V53 V55 V57
Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed for doing comparisons of different translations. Click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.
Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance=normal (All still tentative.)
OET (OET-RV) Otherwise, what will the people do who’re being immersed in water for the dead? If the dead don’t come back to life, why would they get immersed for them? TODO: WHAT’S THIS ABOUT?
OET-LV Otherwise what they_will_be_doing, who are being_immersed for the dead?
If actually the_dead not are_being_raised, why also they_are_being_immersed for them?
SR-GNT Ἐπεὶ τί ποιήσουσιν, οἱ βαπτιζόμενοι ὑπὲρ τῶν νεκρῶν; Εἰ ὅλως νεκροὶ οὐκ ἐγείρονται, τί καὶ βαπτίζονται ὑπὲρ αὐτῶν; ‡
(Epei ti poiaʸsousin, hoi baptizomenoi huper tōn nekrōn; Ei holōs nekroi ouk egeirontai, ti kai baptizontai huper autōn;)
Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the OET-RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).
ULT Otherwise, what will the ones being baptized for the dead do? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?
UST Now, consider people who baptize others to help those who are dead. Further, suppose again that God never makes people who have died alive again. In that case, there is no reason for people to baptize others to help those who have died.
BSB § If these things are not so, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them?
BLB Otherwise what will they do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why also are they baptized for them?
AICNT What will those who are baptized for the dead do? If the dead are not raised at all, why are they baptized for {them}?[fn]
15:29, them: Later manuscripts read “the dead.” BYZ TR
OEB Again, what good will they be doing who are baptized on behalf of the dead? If it is true that the dead do not rise, why are people baptized on their behalf?
WEBBE Or else what will they do who are baptised for the dead? If the dead aren’t raised at all, why then are they baptised for the dead?
WMBB Or else what will they do who are immersed for the dead? If the dead aren’t raised at all, why then are they immersed for the dead?
NET Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, then why are they baptized for them?
LSV Seeing what will they do who are immersed for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why are they also immersed for the dead?
FBV Otherwise what will those people do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then would people be baptized for them?[fn]
15:29 The theological meaning of this verse is much debated. However, the actual words are translated simply enough.
TCNT 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?
T4T Now think about this: Some among you are being baptized (OR, are baptizing people) on behalf of those who died before someone baptized them (OR, who died before they became believers). If, as some people say, believers will not be raised from the dead {God will not cause believers to become alive again}, ◄what is the value in those people doing that?/there is no value in those people doing that!► [RHQ] If God will not cause any believers to become alive again, it is senseless to be baptized {baptize anyone} on behalf of someone who has died. [RHQ]
LEB Otherwise, why do they do it, those who are being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why indeed are they being baptized on behalf of them?
BBE Again, what will they do who are given baptism for the dead? if the dead do not come back at all, why are people given baptism for them?
Moff No Moff 1COR book available
Wymth Otherwise what will become of those who got themselves baptized for the dead? If the dead do not rise at all, why are these baptized for them?
ASV Else what shall they do that are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?
DRA Otherwise what shall they do that are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not again at all? why are they then baptized for them?
YLT Seeing what shall they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? why also are they baptized for the dead?
Drby Since what shall the baptised for the dead do if [those that are] dead rise not at all? why also are they baptised for them?
RV Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?
Wbstr Else what will they do, who are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
KJB-1769 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
KJB-1611 Else what shal they do, which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all, why are they then baptized for the dead?
(Else what shall they do, which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all, why are they then baptized for the dead?)
Bshps Els what shall they do, which are baptized for the dead, yf the dead ryse not at all?
(Els what shall they do, which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all?)
Gnva Els what shall they doe which are baptized for dead? if the dead rise not at all, why are they then baptized for dead?
(Els what shall they do which are baptized for dead? if the dead rise not at all, why are they then baptized for dead? )
Cvdl Or els what do they which are baptised ouer ye deed, yf the deed ryse not at all? Why are they then baptysed ouer the deed?
(Or else what do they which are baptised over ye/you_all dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptised over the dead?)
TNT Ether els what do they which are baptised over the deed yf the deed ryse not at all? Why are they then baptised over the deed?
(Ether else what do they which are baptised over the dead if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptised over the dead? )
Wyc Ellis what schulen thei do, that ben baptisid for deed men, if in no wise deed men risen ayen? wherto ben thei baptisid for hem?
(Ellis what should they do, that been baptised for dead men, if in no wise dead men risen ayen? wherto been they baptised for hem?)
Luth Was machen sonst, die sich taufen lassen über den Toten, so allerdinge die Toten nicht auferstehen? Was lassen sie sich taufen über den Toten?
(What make sonst, the itself/yourself/themselves taufen lassen above the Toten, so allerdinge the Toten not auferstehen? What lassen they/she/them itself/yourself/themselves taufen above the Toten?)
ClVg Alioquin quid facient qui baptizantur pro mortuis, si omnino mortui non resurgunt? ut quid et baptizantur pro illis?[fn]
(Alioquin quid facient who baptizantur for mortuis, when/but_if omnino mortui not/no resurgunt? as quid and baptizantur for illis? )
15.29 Pro mortuis. Id est pro peccatis delendis. Vel, pro se mortuis faciendis ad similitudinem mortis Christi, quid facient cum non sint vitam habituri? Si omnino, etc. Ita ut nec Christus surrexerit? ut quid baptizantur cum peccata non dimittantur, si Christus non resurrexerit?
15.29 Pro mortuis. That it_is for sins delendis. Vel, for se mortuis faciendis to similitudinem mortis of_Christ, quid facient when/with not/no sint life habituri? When/But_if omnino, etc. Ita as but_not Christus surrexerit? as quid baptizantur when/with sins not/no dimittantur, when/but_if Christus not/no resurrexerit?
UGNT ἐπεὶ τί ποιήσουσιν, οἱ βαπτιζόμενοι ὑπὲρ τῶν νεκρῶν? εἰ ὅλως νεκροὶ οὐκ ἐγείρονται, τί καὶ βαπτίζονται ὑπὲρ αὐτῶν?
(epei ti poiaʸsousin, hoi baptizomenoi huper tōn nekrōn? ei holōs nekroi ouk egeirontai, ti kai baptizontai huper autōn?)
SBL-GNT Ἐπεὶ τί ποιήσουσιν οἱ βαπτιζόμενοι ὑπὲρ τῶν νεκρῶν; εἰ ὅλως νεκροὶ οὐκ ἐγείρονται, τί καὶ βαπτίζονται ὑπὲρ ⸀αὐτῶν;
(Epei ti poiaʸsousin hoi baptizomenoi huper tōn nekrōn; ei holōs nekroi ouk egeirontai, ti kai baptizontai huper ⸀autōn;)
TC-GNT Ἐπεὶ τί ποιήσουσιν οἱ βαπτιζόμενοι ὑπὲρ τῶν νεκρῶν; Εἰ ὅλως νεκροὶ οὐκ ἐγείρονται, τί καὶ βαπτίζονται ὑπὲρ [fn]τῶν νεκρῶν;
(Epei ti poiaʸsousin hoi baptizomenoi huper tōn nekrōn; Ei holōs nekroi ouk egeirontai, ti kai baptizontai huper tōn nekrōn; )
15:29 των νεκρων ¦ αυτων CT
Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).
15:29 Some first-century Christians apparently practiced baptism-by-proxy for dead unbelievers whom they wished to be saved. Paul neither endorses nor condemns the practice; he simply uses it as evidence for belief in resurrection. There is no other reference to such a practice in early Christian literature.
The Resurrection of the Dead
Jesus spoke of a future resurrection of all people—either to eternal life or to judgment (Mark 12:26-27; John 5:28-29; 6:39-40, 44, 54; 11:25-26; cp. Luke 20:34-36). When Christ returns, all his people will be resurrected to be with him forever (1 Thes 4:13-18; cp. 2 Cor 5:1-10).
This strong hope characterized the outlook of the early Christians. They were able to endure their suffering because their eyes were fixed on what lay beyond this life (2 Cor 4:16-18; cp. Heb 12:2). They expected Jesus to return and resurrect their bodies, and they looked forward to living with him forever (1 Pet 1:3-6, 23). Their faith was based on the foundation of Jesus’ own bodily resurrection (1 Cor 15:12-20; Acts 4:33; see also 2 Cor 4:14).
Resurrection bodies will be fundamentally different from the bodies we experience in this life, with all of their limitations and failings. These renewed bodies will be glorious, strong, immortal, and spiritual, like Christ’s own resurrection body (1 Cor 15:35-58).
Because they are already joined to Christ, believers actually begin to experience resurrection existence here and now. They have already been “raised” with Christ; they have already been given “resurrection life” (Rom 6:4-11; 8:10-11; Col 2:12). As a result, their lives are now centered in the spiritual realities of heaven rather than in worldly things (Col 3:1-4). Believers can experience the transforming power of that new life here and now, the new life of the Spirit that frees them from the power of sin and death (Rom 8:1-4). In all the difficulties they face, their trust is not in themselves but in the resurrection power of God (2 Cor 1:9).
Passages for Further Study
Job 19:25-27; Pss 16:10; 49:15; Dan 12:2-3; Matt 16:21; 28:1-10; Mark 12:18-27; John 3:13-16; 5:25-30; 6:39-40; 11:21-27; Acts 2:23-24; 3:14-15; 4:33; 10:39-41; 17:2-3; 24:15; 26:22-23; Rom 1:4; 4:25; 6:4-11; 8:10-11; 1 Cor 15:12-58; 2 Cor 1:8-9; 4:13-18; 5:1-10; Eph 1:19-20; Col 2:12; 3:1-4; 1 Thes 4:13-18; 1 Pet 1:3-6, 23; Rev 20:11-15; 21:1-7; 22:1-6
Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast
ἐπεὶ
otherwise
Here, Otherwise introduces the opposite of what Paul has argued in 15:12–28. If what he has argued about Jesus’ resurrection and its importance is not true, then what he says in this verse must be true. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express Otherwise with a word or phrase that introduces an opposite or contrast. Alternate translation: “If all that is not true”
Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion
τί ποιήσουσιν, οἱ βαπτιζόμενοι ὑπὲρ τῶν νεκρῶν?
what ˱they˲_/will_be/_doing who_‹are› /being/_baptized for the dead
Paul does not ask this question because he is looking for information. Rather, he asks it to involve the Corinthians in what he is arguing. The implied answer to the question is “They will accomplish nothing.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind this question by using a strong negation. Alternate translation: “those who are baptized for the dead do nothing.”
Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive
ποιήσουσιν, οἱ βαπτιζόμενοι
˱they˲_/will_be/_doing who_‹are› /being/_baptized
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Paul uses the passive form here to focus on those who are getting baptized rather than focusing on the person doing the “baptizing.” If you must state who does the action, you can use a vague or indefinite subject. Alternate translation: “will those do whom others baptize” or “will those do who receive baptism”
Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit
ποιήσουσιν, οἱ βαπτιζόμενοι ὑπὲρ τῶν νεκρῶν
˱they˲_/will_be/_doing who_‹are› /being/_baptized for the dead
Here Paul speaks of “doing” something in the future. He could be referring to: (1) the intended result of being baptized, which happens after the baptism. Alternate translation: “will those accomplish who are baptized” (2) what the people being baptized think that they are doing. Alternate translation: “do those who are baptized for the dead think that they are doing”
Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit
ποιήσουσιν, οἱ βαπτιζόμενοι ὑπὲρ τῶν νεκρῶν & βαπτίζονται ὑπὲρ αὐτῶν
˱they˲_/will_be/_doing who_‹are› /being/_baptized for the dead & ˱they˲_/are_being/_baptized for them
It is unclear what being baptized for the dead actually means and what kind of practice it refers to. What is clear is that the practice only makes sense if one believes that the dead are raised. If possible, express these phrases in general terms. Two of the most common ways to understand being baptized for the dead are that it could refer to: (1) the practice of living believers receiving baptism in place of people who died without being baptized. Alternate translation: “will those do who are baptized in place of the dead … are they baptized in their place” (2) people receiving baptism because they believe that the dead will “rise.” They could be expecting their own resurrection or the resurrection of people they knew who are dead. Alternate translation: “will those do who are baptized with the dead in mind … are they baptized with them in mind”
Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / nominaladj
τῶν νεκρῶν & νεκροὶ
the dead & /the/_dead
Paul is using the adjective dead as a noun in order to refer to all people who are dead. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you could translate this with a noun phrase. Alternate translation: “the dead people … the dead people” or “the corpses … the corpses”
Note 7 topic: grammar-connect-condition-contrary
εἰ ὅλως νεκροὶ οὐκ ἐγείρονται
if actually /the/_dead not /are_being/_raised
Here Paul is making a conditional statement that sounds hypothetical, but he is already convinced that the condition is not true. He knows that the dead really are raised. He uses this form to show the Corinthians the implications of their claim that the dead are not raised. Use a natural form in your language for introducing a condition that the speaker believes is not true. Alternate translation: “if the dead actually are not raised at all”
Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive
νεκροὶ οὐκ ἐγείρονται
/the/_dead not /are_being/_raised
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Paul uses the passive form here to focus on those who are or are not raised rather than focusing on the person doing the raising. If you must state who does the action, Paul implies that “God” does it. Alternate translation: “God does not raise the dead”
Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion
τί καὶ βαπτίζονται ὑπὲρ αὐτῶν
what why also ˱they˲_/are_being/_baptized for them
Paul does not ask this question because he is looking for information. Rather, he asks it to involve the Corinthians in what he is arguing. The implied answer to the question is “There is no reason why.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind this question by using a strong negation. Alternate translation: “they are baptized for them for nothing.”
Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive
βαπτίζονται
˱they˲_/are_being/_baptized
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Paul uses the passive form here to focus on those who are getting baptized rather than focusing on the person doing the “baptizing.” If you must state who does the action, you can use a vague or indefinite subject. Alternate translation: “do others baptize them” or “do they receive baptism”
Note 11 topic: writing-pronouns
βαπτίζονται ὑπὲρ αὐτῶν
˱they˲_/are_being/_baptized for them
Here, they refers to the people being baptized for the dead, while them refers to the dead. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state explicitly what people these pronouns the refer to. Alternate translation: “are these people baptized for the dead”