1 Corinthians 15:14, 20 - And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless

14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

14and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. 20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.

1 Corinthians 15:14, 20

Commentary

Paul gives 6 disastrous consequences if there were no resurrection:
1) preaching Christ would be senseless (v. 14);
2) faith in Christ would be useless (v. 14);
3) all the witnesses and preachers of the resurrection would be liars (v. 15);
4) no one would be redeemed from sin (v. 17);
5) all former believers would have perished (v. 18); and
6) Christians would be the most pitiable people on earth (v. 19).

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (1 Co 15:13). Nashville: Word Pub.

"Firstfruits"

The firstfruits are the first ripened part of the harvest, furnishing actual evidence that the entire harvest is on the way. According to Lev. 23:4-14, the firstfruits in connection with the Passover were used to consecrate the coming harvest. Jesus died on the Passover, and His resurrection is a promise of our own resurrection.

Spirit filled life study Bible. 1997, c1991 (electronic ed.). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

1 Corinthians 15:21-22 - in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive

For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.

1 Corinthians 15:21-22

Commentary

The first man, Adam, transgressed God's law and brought sin and death into the world (Gen. 2:17; 3:19; Rom. 5:12-21); the second Man, Jesus Christ, was the perfect sacrifice to take away sin and to bring life and resurrection to those who believe in Him (Rom. 5:15-21 The principle here is similar to that in Rom. 5:18, 19, where Paul explains that by one man's (Adam's) sin many were made unrighteous, whereas by one Man's (Christ's) obedience many will be made righteous.

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (1 Co 15:21-22). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

Did you know?

Death comes to all because all have sinned (see Rom. 3:23). Condemned in Adam we can be redeemed in Christ. We remain profoundly affected by Adam's sin, having inherited a sinful nature from him.

Thomas Nelson, I. (1997, c1995). Woman's study Bible . (Ro 5:12). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.