New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
1 Corinthians 15
1
Brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the good news I preached to you. You received it and have put your faith in it.
Reference
2
Because you believed the good news, you are saved. But you must hold firmly to the message I preached to you. If you don't, you have believed it for nothing.
Reference
Faith
Colossians 1:23
Hebrews 10:23
James 2:26
Parallel theme
Hebrews 3:6
Hebrews 2:1
Hebrews 3:14
Salvation
Ephesians 2:8
1 Corinthians 1:18
2 Timothy 1:9
James 2:14
3
What I received I passed on to you. And it is the most important of all. Here is what it is. Christ died for our sins, just as Scripture said he would.
Reference
Parallel theme
Romans 4:25
1 Corinthians 11:23
References Christ
Galatians 1:12
Acts 3:18
Ephesians 5:2
Sin
1 Peter 2:24
Galatians 1:4
1 John 2:2
Revelation 1:5
Word
Zechariah 13:7
4
He was buried. He was raised from the dead on the third day, just as Scripture said he would be.
Reference
6
After that, he appeared to more than 500 believers at the same time. Most of them are still living. But some have died.
Reference
8
Last of all, he also appeared to me. I was like someone who wasn't born at the right time or in a normal way.
Reference
9
I am the least important of the apostles. I'm not even fit to be called an apostle. I tried to destroy God's church.
Reference
10
But because of God's grace I am what I am. And his grace was not wasted on me. No, I have worked harder than all the other apostles. But I didn't do the work. God's grace was with me.
Reference
Grace
Romans 12:3
2 Corinthians 6:1
Parallel theme
Philippians 4:13
Galatians 2:8
2 Corinthians 12:11
1 Corinthians 4:7
1 Corinthians 15:2
References God
2 Corinthians 3:5
Philippians 2:13
Romans 11:1
11
So whether it was I or the other apostles who preached to you, that is what we preach. And that is what you believed.
12
We have preached that Christ has been raised from the dead. So how can some of you say that no one rises from the dead?
Reference
14
And if Christ has not been raised, what we preach doesn't mean anything. Your faith doesn't mean anything either.
Reference
Faith
1 Corinthians 15:17
1 Thessalonians 4:14
James 2:20
1 Corinthians 15:2
Parallel theme
Matthew 15:9
Galatians 2:2
Isaiah 49:4
Resurrection
Acts 17:31
15
More than that, we would be lying about God. We have given witness that God raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if the dead are not raised.
Reference
16
If the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.
17
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith doesn't mean anything. Your sins have not been forgiven.
Reference
Faith
1 Corinthians 15:14
1 Peter 1:21
1 Corinthians 15:2
Parallel theme
Romans 5:10
Resurrection
Romans 4:25
1 Peter 1:3
19
Do we have hope in Christ only for this life? Then people should pity us more than anyone else.
Reference
Hope
1 Peter 1:21
1 Thessalonians 1:3
Parallel theme
Revelation 14:13
2 Timothy 1:12
Acts 14:22
John 16:33
Luke 21:34
Ecclesiastes 6:11
Luke 8:14
References Christ
2 Timothy 3:12
20
But Christ really has been raised from the dead. He is the first of all those who will rise.
Reference
Parallel theme
Colossians 1:18
References Christ
1 Corinthians 15:23
Revelation 1:5
Resurrection
Acts 26:23
1 Peter 1:3
Romans 8:11
21
Death came because of what a man did. Rising from the dead also comes because of what a man did.
Reference
23
But here is the order of events. Christ is the first of those who rise from the dead. When he comes back, those who belong to him will be raised.
Reference
Parallel theme
Isaiah 26:19
1 Corinthians 15:52
References Christ
Galatians 3:29
1 Corinthians 15:20
2 Corinthians 10:7
1 Thessalonians 2:19
Galatians 5:24
24
Then the end will come. Christ will destroy all rule, authority and power. He will hand over the kingdom to God the Father.
Reference
Kingdom
Daniel 7:27
Daniel 7:14
1 Timothy 6:15
Daniel 2:44
Isaiah 9:7
Parallel theme
Matthew 28:18
Matthew 11:27
Matthew 24:13
John 3:35
References God
John 13:3
27
Scripture says that God "has put everything under his control."--(Psalm 8:6) It says that "everything" has been put under him. But it is clear that this does not include God himself, who puts everything under Christ.
Reference
28
When he has done that, the Son also will be under God's rule. God puts everything under the Son. In that way, God will be all in all.
Reference
Parallel theme
Colossians 3:11
Ephesians 1:23
Philippians 3:21
John 14:28
References God
1 Corinthians 3:23
1 Corinthians 11:3
1 Corinthians 12:6
29
Suppose no one rises from the dead. Then what will people do who are baptized for the dead? Suppose the dead are not raised at all. Then why are people baptized for them?
Reference
30
And why would we put ourselves in danger every hour?
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Corinthians 6:9
31
I die every day. I really mean that, brothers and sisters. Here is something you can be sure of. I take pride in what Christ Jesus our Lord has done for you through my work.
Reference
Parallel theme
Romans 8:36
1 Thessalonians 3:9
Acts 20:23
Jeremiah 11:7
References Christ
2 Corinthians 11:23
References Jesus
Philippians 3:3
32
Did I fight wild animals in Ephesus for only human reasons? Then what have I gotten for it? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, because tomorrow we will die." --(Isaiah 22:13)
Reference
33
Don't let anyone fool you. "Bad companions make a good person bad."
Reference
Evil
2 Peter 2:2
Good
1 Corinthians 5:6
Parallel theme
Proverbs 13:20
Matthew 24:4
Proverbs 9:6
Ephesians 5:6
Galatians 6:7
1 Corinthians 6:9
Matthew 24:24
Hebrews 12:15
34
You should come back to your senses and stop sinning. Some of you don't know anything about God. I say this to make you ashamed.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Corinthians 6:5
Romans 13:11
Joel 1:5
Ephesians 5:14
1 Corinthians 8:7
References God
Romans 1:28
Jonah 1:6
Sin
John 8:11
John 5:14
Psalm 119:11
37
When you plant something, it isn't a completely grown plant that you put in the ground. You only plant a seed. Maybe it's wheat or something else.
38
But God gives the seed a body just as he has planned. And to each kind of seed he gives its own body.
Reference
39
All earthly creatures are not the same. People have one kind of body. Animals have another. Birds have another kind. Fish have still another.
40
There are also heavenly bodies as well as earthly bodies. Heavenly bodies have one kind of glory. Earthly bodies have another.
41
The sun has one kind of glory. The moon has another kind. The stars have still another. And one star's glory is different from that of another star.
42
It will be like that with bodies that are raised from the dead. The body that is planted does not last forever. The body that is raised from the dead lasts forever.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 13:43
Daniel 12:3
Romans 8:21
1 Peter 1:4
Isaiah 38:17
Acts 2:27
Psalm 49:14
Psalm 16:10
Job 17:14
Resurrection
Acts 2:31
43
It is planted without honor. But it is raised in glory. It is planted in weakness. But it is raised in power.
Reference
44
It is planted as an earthly body. But it is raised as a spiritual body. Just as there is an earthly body, there is also a spiritual body.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Corinthians 15:50
45
It is written, "The first man Adam became a living person."--(Genesis 2:7) The last Adam became a spirit that gives life.
Reference
People
Parallel theme
John 5:21
Genesis 2:7
John 14:6
John 6:33
John 6:57
John 6:54
Revelation 22:1
Spirit
Romans 8:2
John 6:63
Revelation 22:17
46
What is spiritual did not come first. What is earthly came first. What is spiritual came after that.
47
The first man came from the dust of the earth. The second man came from heaven.
Reference
Parallel theme
John 3:31
Genesis 3:19
Isaiah 9:6
1 Corinthians 15:45
2 Corinthians 5:1
References Lord
Genesis 2:7
Luke 2:11
48
Those who belong to the earth are like the one who came from the earth. And those who are spiritual are like the one who came from heaven.
Reference
50
Brothers and sisters, here is what I'm telling you. Bodies made of flesh and blood can't share in the kingdom of God. And what dies can't share in what never dies.
Reference
Blood
Matthew 16:17
Parallel theme
Ephesians 4:17
Galatians 5:16
References God
1 Corinthians 6:13
2 Corinthians 5:1
Galatians 3:17
52
That will happen in a flash, as quickly as you can wink an eye. It will happen when the last trumpet sounds. The trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised to live forever. And we will be changed.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 24:31
John 5:25
Isaiah 27:13
2 Peter 3:10
John 5:28
Revelation 8:13
Zechariah 9:14
Revelation 8:2
Isaiah 18:3
Resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:42
53
Our natural bodies don't last forever. They must be dressed with what does last forever. What dies must be dressed with what does not die.
Reference
54
In fact, that is going to happen. What does not last will be dressed with what lasts forever. What dies will be dressed with what does not die. Then what is written will come true. It says, "Death has been swallowed up. It has lost the battle."--(Isaiah 25:8)
Reference
Eternal Life
Romans 2:7
Parallel theme
Isaiah 25:8
Revelation 20:14
Revelation 21:4
2 Corinthians 4:11
Luke 20:36
Romans 8:11
2 Thessalonians 1:10
Romans 6:12
55
"Death, where is the battle you thought you were winning? Death, where is your sting?" --(Hosea 13:14)
Reference
56
The sting of death is sin. And the power of sin is the law.
Reference
Parallel theme
Hebrews 9:27
Proverbs 14:32
Romans 5:15
Romans 5:17
Sin
Romans 6:23
John 8:24
John 8:21
Word
Romans 4:15
Romans 5:20
57
But let us give thanks to God! He wins the battle for us because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done.
Reference
Parallel theme
Romans 8:37
Revelation 12:11
John 16:33
References Christ
2 Corinthians 2:14
References God
2 Corinthians 9:15
1 Chronicles 22:11
References Jesus
Ephesians 5:20
Romans 7:25
References Lord
Proverbs 21:31
Psalm 98:1
58
My dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Don't let anything move you. Always give yourselves completely to the work of the Lord. Because you belong to the Lord, you know that your work is not worthless.
Reference
Love
Hebrews 6:10
1 Thessalonians 1:3
Parallel theme
Galatians 6:9
2 Chronicles 15:7
Philippians 2:16
1 Corinthians 3:8
Colossians 1:23
Hebrews 13:21
References Lord
Psalm 55:22
1 Corinthians 16:10
Summary of 1 Corinthians 15
1 Corinthians 15 gives the Corinthians the central Christian teaching about resurrection, beginning with the historical claim that Christ died for sins, was buried, was raised, and appeared to many witnesses, and then explaining that His resurrection guarantees the future resurrection and transformation of those who belong to Him.
Paul argues that if Christ was not raised, Christian preaching, faith, forgiveness, and hope would all be empty, because Christianity depends completely on the belief that Jesus defeated death, while the resurrection of Christ serves as the first part of the greater resurrection that will come for His people.
He then explains that Christ's resurrection begins a larger victory in which death itself will eventually be destroyed, presenting Jesus as the new representative of humanity who reverses the death that entered through Adam and brings resurrection life to those who belong to Him.
Paul answers questions about what resurrected bodies will be like by comparing resurrection to a seed that is planted and then transformed into a new form, explaining that the resurrection body will be imperishable, powerful, glorious, and suited for life with God rather than simply being a repaired version of the mortal body that died.
The chapter reaches its climax when Paul explains that both dead and living believers will be transformed when Christ comes, with mortal bodies being changed into immortal bodies, so that death will finally lose its power and God's promised victory will be completely revealed.
Paul therefore ends with a practical conclusion: because resurrection is certain, Christians should remain firm, faithful, and active in serving the Lord, knowing that their work, sacrifice, and perseverance are not wasted even when their present circumstances are difficult.
The central message of 1 Corinthians 15 is that the resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of Christian faith and the guarantee that death will not have the final word, because everyone who belongs to Christ will ultimately be raised and transformed into a new kind of life that is no longer controlled by decay and death.
Paul begins with the heart of the gospel: Christ died, was buried, was raised, and appeared to witnesses.
This is important because Paul's argument is not based only on an abstract idea that life continues after death.
He presents the resurrection of Jesus as a real event that was proclaimed by the apostles and witnessed by many believers.
The resurrection is therefore not a small part of Christianity.
It is the foundation on which everything else stands.
Paul makes this clear by explaining what would happen if Christ had not been raised.
Christian preaching would be empty.
Christian faith would be empty.
Forgiveness would not have been secured.
Those who had died believing in Christ would have no future hope.
The sacrifices Christians make would have no lasting meaning.
In other words, remove the resurrection and the Christian message collapses.
Paul then introduces the idea of Christ as the "firstfruits" of those who have died.
The first part of a harvest was a sign that more of the harvest was coming.
In a similar way, Christ's resurrection is presented as the beginning of the resurrection that will eventually include those who belong to Him.
Paul connects this with Adam.
Through Adam, humanity experiences sin and death.
Through Christ, those who belong to Him receive resurrection life.
This creates a powerful contrast between two representatives of humanity.
Adam represents the human condition under death.
Christ represents the new life God gives through resurrection.
Paul then describes the final victory of Christ.
He says that every opposing power will ultimately be defeated and that the last enemy to be destroyed is death.
This is one of the most important ideas in the chapter because death is not presented as something God simply accepts as permanent.
Instead, death is presented as an enemy that Christ will finally overcome.
Paul then answers a natural question: What kind of body will believers have after resurrection?
His answer is not that Christians will simply receive exactly the same bodies they have now.
Instead, he uses the example of a seed.
A seed is planted in the ground, but the plant that grows from it has a different form.
There is continuity, because the plant comes from the seed, but there is also transformation.
Paul uses this picture to explain that the resurrection body will be transformed rather than merely repaired.
The present body is mortal.
The resurrection body is immortal.
The present body is weak.
The resurrection body is powerful.
The present body experiences decay.
The resurrection body will not decay.
The present body is marked by dishonor and death.
The resurrection body will be characterized by glory and life.
Paul's phrase "spiritual body" should not be understood as meaning an invisible or unreal body.
His point is that the future body will be completely suited for life under the power and direction of God's Spirit.
The resurrection is therefore not an escape from existence but a transformation of human existence.
Paul then reveals that not every Christian will necessarily experience physical death before Christ returns.
Those who are alive when Christ comes will also be changed.
The transformation will happen suddenly, and mortal bodies will become immortal.
This is the moment when Paul's great declaration about death reaches its climax: death will be defeated.
Paul connects death with sin and sin with the law, showing that death is not merely a biological event but part of humanity's broken relationship with God.
Yet he does not leave the Corinthians with fear.
He turns immediately to thanksgiving.
God gives the victory through Jesus Christ.
This victory is the foundation for the final instruction of the chapter.
Because resurrection is real, Christian work has eternal meaning.
Serving others matters.
Teaching matters.
Remaining faithful matters.
Enduring hardship matters.
Living according to Christ's teaching matters.
Paul therefore tells the Corinthians to remain firm, steady, and committed to the work of the Lord, because nothing done faithfully for Christ is ultimately wasted.
The chapter's final message is especially important for Christians facing suffering or disappointment: present difficulties do not have the final word because Christ's resurrection guarantees a future victory that reaches beyond death itself.
Paul argues that if Christ was not raised, Christian preaching, faith, forgiveness, and hope would all be empty, because Christianity depends completely on the belief that Jesus defeated death, while the resurrection of Christ serves as the first part of the greater resurrection that will come for His people.
He then explains that Christ's resurrection begins a larger victory in which death itself will eventually be destroyed, presenting Jesus as the new representative of humanity who reverses the death that entered through Adam and brings resurrection life to those who belong to Him.
Paul answers questions about what resurrected bodies will be like by comparing resurrection to a seed that is planted and then transformed into a new form, explaining that the resurrection body will be imperishable, powerful, glorious, and suited for life with God rather than simply being a repaired version of the mortal body that died.
The chapter reaches its climax when Paul explains that both dead and living believers will be transformed when Christ comes, with mortal bodies being changed into immortal bodies, so that death will finally lose its power and God's promised victory will be completely revealed.
Paul therefore ends with a practical conclusion: because resurrection is certain, Christians should remain firm, faithful, and active in serving the Lord, knowing that their work, sacrifice, and perseverance are not wasted even when their present circumstances are difficult.
The central message of 1 Corinthians 15 is that the resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of Christian faith and the guarantee that death will not have the final word, because everyone who belongs to Christ will ultimately be raised and transformed into a new kind of life that is no longer controlled by decay and death.
Paul begins with the heart of the gospel: Christ died, was buried, was raised, and appeared to witnesses.
This is important because Paul's argument is not based only on an abstract idea that life continues after death.
He presents the resurrection of Jesus as a real event that was proclaimed by the apostles and witnessed by many believers.
The resurrection is therefore not a small part of Christianity.
It is the foundation on which everything else stands.
Paul makes this clear by explaining what would happen if Christ had not been raised.
Christian preaching would be empty.
Christian faith would be empty.
Forgiveness would not have been secured.
Those who had died believing in Christ would have no future hope.
The sacrifices Christians make would have no lasting meaning.
In other words, remove the resurrection and the Christian message collapses.
Paul then introduces the idea of Christ as the "firstfruits" of those who have died.
The first part of a harvest was a sign that more of the harvest was coming.
In a similar way, Christ's resurrection is presented as the beginning of the resurrection that will eventually include those who belong to Him.
Paul connects this with Adam.
Through Adam, humanity experiences sin and death.
Through Christ, those who belong to Him receive resurrection life.
This creates a powerful contrast between two representatives of humanity.
Adam represents the human condition under death.
Christ represents the new life God gives through resurrection.
Paul then describes the final victory of Christ.
He says that every opposing power will ultimately be defeated and that the last enemy to be destroyed is death.
This is one of the most important ideas in the chapter because death is not presented as something God simply accepts as permanent.
Instead, death is presented as an enemy that Christ will finally overcome.
Paul then answers a natural question: What kind of body will believers have after resurrection?
His answer is not that Christians will simply receive exactly the same bodies they have now.
Instead, he uses the example of a seed.
A seed is planted in the ground, but the plant that grows from it has a different form.
There is continuity, because the plant comes from the seed, but there is also transformation.
Paul uses this picture to explain that the resurrection body will be transformed rather than merely repaired.
The present body is mortal.
The resurrection body is immortal.
The present body is weak.
The resurrection body is powerful.
The present body experiences decay.
The resurrection body will not decay.
The present body is marked by dishonor and death.
The resurrection body will be characterized by glory and life.
Paul's phrase "spiritual body" should not be understood as meaning an invisible or unreal body.
His point is that the future body will be completely suited for life under the power and direction of God's Spirit.
The resurrection is therefore not an escape from existence but a transformation of human existence.
Paul then reveals that not every Christian will necessarily experience physical death before Christ returns.
Those who are alive when Christ comes will also be changed.
The transformation will happen suddenly, and mortal bodies will become immortal.
This is the moment when Paul's great declaration about death reaches its climax: death will be defeated.
Paul connects death with sin and sin with the law, showing that death is not merely a biological event but part of humanity's broken relationship with God.
Yet he does not leave the Corinthians with fear.
He turns immediately to thanksgiving.
God gives the victory through Jesus Christ.
This victory is the foundation for the final instruction of the chapter.
Because resurrection is real, Christian work has eternal meaning.
Serving others matters.
Teaching matters.
Remaining faithful matters.
Enduring hardship matters.
Living according to Christ's teaching matters.
Paul therefore tells the Corinthians to remain firm, steady, and committed to the work of the Lord, because nothing done faithfully for Christ is ultimately wasted.
The chapter's final message is especially important for Christians facing suffering or disappointment: present difficulties do not have the final word because Christ's resurrection guarantees a future victory that reaches beyond death itself.