Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

1 CORINTHIANS 15:18KJV
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1 Corinthians 15:18 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 15:18 mean?

1 Corinthians 15:18 says that if there is no resurrection, then those who have died believing in Christ have truly perished and are lost forever. Paul is stressing that without resurrection, even the hope for believers who have died is empty.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, addressing doubts some had about resurrection from the dead. In this verse, Paul is showing the serious consequences of denying resurrection: it would mean that even Christians who have died ("fallen asleep in Christ") have no future hope. This is part of his larger argument that the resurrection of Jesus is essential to Christian faith.

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 15:18

  • "asleep" (κοιμάω, koimaō): This word is often used in the New Testament as a gentle way to describe death, especially for believers, suggesting that death is not the end but more like sleep before awakening.
  • "perished" (ἀπόλλυμι, apollymi): This Greek word means to be utterly destroyed or lost. Paul uses it here to show that without resurrection, death would be final and hopeless, with no future restoration.

Why 1 Corinthians 15:18 matters

  • This verse highlights how central the resurrection is to Christian hope—not just for the living, but for those who have already died trusting in Christ.
  • Paul’s argument makes clear that the Christian message loses its meaning if resurrection is denied; it is not just a side issue, but the foundation of hope for all believers.
  • Understanding this verse helps clarify why Paul spends so much time in 1 Corinthians 15 defending the reality of resurrection: it is the only way believers, living or dead, have any assurance beyond this life.

Where else these words appear

“asleep” Greek G2837 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
  • Acts 7:60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

“Then” Greek G686 · used in 51 verses

  • Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
  • Acts 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
  • 1 Corinthians 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

“perished” Greek G622 · used in 86 verses

  • Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
  • Luke 5:37 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.
  • John 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.