Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

1 CORINTHIANS 15:12KJV
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1 Corinthians 15:12 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 15:12 mean?

1 Corinthians 15:12 points out a contradiction among some in the Corinthian church: if Christians proclaim that Christ rose from the dead, it makes no sense for anyone among them to claim there is no resurrection of the dead. Paul is challenging the logic of those who deny resurrection while still claiming faith in Christ’s resurrection.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, addressing confusion and disagreement about resurrection. Some in the church apparently doubted that anyone would rise from the dead in the future. Paul highlights this inconsistency, since the core Christian message is that Jesus himself was raised from the dead, making resurrection a foundational belief.

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 15:12

  • ἀνάστασις (anastasis, “resurrection”): This word means a rising up or standing up again, and in this context, it refers specifically to the bodily resurrection of the dead. Paul uses it to underline the physical reality of resurrection, not just a spiritual idea.
  • ἐγήγερται (egegertai, “rose”): This verb means “has been raised” or “has risen,” and it is used here to describe Christ’s resurrection as a completed, historical event. The certainty of this verb form stresses that Christ’s resurrection is not a vague hope but a declared fact in Christian preaching.
  • νεκρῶν (nekrōn, “dead”): This word refers to those who have died physically. Paul’s use of it makes clear he is talking about real, bodily death and resurrection, not just a metaphorical or spiritual concept.

Why 1 Corinthians 15:12 matters

  • This verse exposes a key inconsistency in the thinking of some early Christians, showing that belief in Christ’s resurrection logically requires belief in resurrection more generally.
  • It sets up Paul’s larger argument in 1 Corinthians 15, where he explains why resurrection is central to Christian faith and hope.
  • The verse helps clarify that the Christian message is not just about Jesus rising, but about the promise of resurrection for all who belong to him.

Where else these words appear

“resurrection” Greek G386 · used in 40 verses

  • Matthew 22:23 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
  • John 11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
  • Romans 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

“preached” Greek G2784 · used in 60 verses

  • Matthew 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
  • Mark 13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
  • Acts 28:31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

“how” Greek G4459 · used in 100 verses

  • Matthew 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
  • Luke 11:18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.
  • Acts 8:31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

“dead” Greek G3498 · used in 123 verses

  • Matthew 8:22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
  • Acts 3:15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: