1 Corinthians 15:17
New International Version
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

New Living Translation
And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.

English Standard Version
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.

Berean Standard Bible
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

Berean Literal Bible
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

King James Bible
And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

New King James Version
And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!

New American Standard Bible
and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.

NASB 1995
and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.

NASB 1977
and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.

Legacy Standard Bible
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.

Amplified Bible
and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless and powerless [mere delusion]; you are still in your sins [and under the control and penalty of sin].

Christian Standard Bible
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.

American Standard Version
and if Christ hath not been raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

Contemporary English Version
Unless Christ was raised to life, your faith is useless, and you are still living in your sins.

English Revised Version
and if Christ hath not been raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If Christ hasn't come back to life, your faith is worthless and sin still has you in its power.

Good News Translation
And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is a delusion and you are still lost in your sins.

International Standard Version
and if the Messiah has not been raised, your faith is worthless and you are still imprisoned by your sins.

NET Bible
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is useless; you are still in your sins.

New Heart English Bible
If Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins.

Webster's Bible Translation
And if Christ is not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

Weymouth New Testament
and if Christ has not risen, your faith is a vain thing--you are still in your sins.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

World English Bible
If Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and if Christ has not risen, your faith is vain, you are yet in your sins;

Berean Literal Bible
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

Young's Literal Translation
and if Christ hath not risen, vain is your faith, ye are yet in your sins;

Smith's Literal Translation
And if Christ was not raised up, your faith is vain; yet are ye in your sins.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And if Christ be not risen again, your faith is vain, for you are yet in your sins.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But if Christ has not risen, then your faith is vain; for you would still be in your sins.

New American Bible
and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins.

New Revised Standard Version
If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And if Christ did not rise, your belief is in vain; and you are yet in your sins.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And if The Messiah is not alive, your faith is empty and you are yet in your sins;
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are yet in your sins.

Godbey New Testament
But if Christ is not risen, your faith is vain; you are yet in your sins.

Haweis New Testament
and if Christ be not risen, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

Mace New Testament
and if Christ was not raised, your faith is meer illusion, your sins are not yet forgiven.

Weymouth New Testament
and if Christ has not risen, your faith is a vain thing--you are still in your sins.

Worrell New Testament
and, if Christ hath not been raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins!

Worsley New Testament
and if Christ be not risen, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Resurrection of the Dead
16For if the dead are not raised, then not even Christ has been raised. 17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.…

Cross References
Romans 4:25
He was delivered over to death for our trespasses and was raised to life for our justification.

Romans 10:9
that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

1 Peter 1:21
Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him; and so your faith and hope are in God.

Acts 2:24
But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep Him in its grip.

Acts 17:31
For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”

Romans 6:4
We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.

2 Corinthians 5:21
God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

Philippians 3:10
I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death,

Colossians 2:12
And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.

Hebrews 7:25
Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.

John 11:25
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies.

Ephesians 1:20
which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms,

1 Thessalonians 4:14
For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.

1 Peter 3:18
For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit,

Isaiah 53:10-11
Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Him and to cause Him to suffer; and when His soul is made a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand. / After the anguish of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities.


Treasury of Scripture

And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; you are yet in your sins.

your.

1 Corinthians 15:2,14
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain…

Romans 4:25
Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

ye are.

Ezekiel 33:10
Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live?

John 8:21-24
Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come…

Acts 5:31
Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

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Christ Effect Faith Futile Raised Risen Sins Vain Worthless
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Christ Effect Faith Futile Raised Risen Sins Vain Worthless
1 Corinthians 15
1. By Christ's resurrection,
12. he proves the necessity of our resurrection,
16. against all such as deny the resurrection of the body.
21. The fruit,
35. and the manner thereof;
51. and of the resurrection of those who shall be found alive at the last day.














And if Christ has not been raised
This phrase addresses the centrality of the resurrection in Christian doctrine. The resurrection of Jesus is a cornerstone of the faith, as it validates His divinity and the truth of His teachings. Historically, the resurrection is supported by early Christian testimony and the transformation of the apostles, who went from fear to bold proclamation. Theologically, the resurrection fulfills Old Testament prophecies such as Psalm 16:10 and Isaiah 53:10-12, which speak of the Messiah's victory over death. Without the resurrection, the claims of Jesus as the Son of God would be undermined, and the hope of eternal life would be void.

your faith is futile
The futility of faith without the resurrection underscores the importance of this event in the believer's life. Faith in Christ is not merely about moral teachings or ethical living; it is about a living relationship with a risen Savior. The Greek word for "futile" here implies something that is empty or without purpose. This echoes the sentiment found in Ecclesiastes, where life without God is described as "meaningless." The resurrection gives substance and purpose to faith, affirming that believers are justified and reconciled to God (Romans 4:25).

you are still in your sins
This phrase highlights the theological implication of the resurrection concerning sin. Without the resurrection, the atoning work of Christ on the cross would be incomplete. The resurrection is God's declaration that the sacrifice of Jesus was sufficient to atone for sin, as seen in Romans 6:4 and 1 Peter 1:3. In the cultural context of the Corinthian church, which was influenced by Greek philosophy that often dismissed bodily resurrection, Paul emphasizes that the resurrection is essential for the forgiveness of sins. It assures believers that they are no longer under the penalty of sin, as Christ's victory over death signifies the defeat of sin's power.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of 1 Corinthians, Paul is addressing the church in Corinth, emphasizing the importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

2. Corinth
A major city in ancient Greece, known for its diverse population and cultural influences, which often led to challenges in maintaining doctrinal purity within the church.

3. Jesus Christ
Central to this passage, His resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith and the assurance of salvation.

4. The Corinthian Church
The recipients of this letter, they were struggling with various theological and moral issues, including doubts about the resurrection.

5. The Resurrection
The event of Jesus rising from the dead, which is foundational to Christian belief and the subject of Paul's argument in this chapter.
Teaching Points
The Centrality of the Resurrection
The resurrection of Christ is not just an event but the very foundation of Christian faith. Without it, our faith is meaningless, and we remain in our sins.

The Assurance of Salvation
The resurrection assures us that our sins are forgiven. It is the divine validation of Jesus' sacrifice and the guarantee of our justification before God.

Living in Resurrection Power
Believers are called to live in the power of the resurrection, experiencing victory over sin and a transformed life through the Holy Spirit.

The Futility of Faith Without the Resurrection
If Christ has not been raised, our faith is in vain. This challenges us to examine the basis of our faith and the reality of the resurrection in our daily lives.

Hope Beyond This Life
The resurrection provides hope beyond the grave, assuring us of eternal life and motivating us to live with an eternal perspective.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 15:17?

2. How does 1 Corinthians 15:17 affirm the necessity of Christ's resurrection for faith?

3. What implications does "your faith is futile" have for daily Christian living?

4. How does 1 Corinthians 15:17 connect to Romans 4:25 about justification?

5. In what ways can we strengthen our faith in the risen Christ today?

6. How does understanding 1 Corinthians 15:17 impact our view of sin and redemption?

7. How does 1 Corinthians 15:17 impact the belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ?

8. Why is the resurrection crucial for the forgiveness of sins according to 1 Corinthians 15:17?

9. What are the implications if Christ has not been raised, as stated in 1 Corinthians 15:17?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 15?

11. Did Jesus foresee His own death and resurrection?

12. What defines the true gospel?

13. What defines a true Christian?

14. What does "baptized for the dead" mean?
What Does 1 Corinthians 15:17 Mean
If Christ has not been raised

- “And if Christ has not been raised” (1 Corinthians 15:17) stakes everything on the literal, bodily resurrection.

- Paul ties the entire gospel to this historical fact—without it, every promise collapses (see 1 Corinthians 15:14; Acts 2:24; Romans 1:4).

- The resurrection proves Jesus is who He claimed to be, validates His atoning death, and confirms God’s power over sin and death (John 2:19-21; 1 Peter 1:3).

- Denying the resurrection isn’t a minor theological slip; it uproots the foundation of Christian hope (1 Thessalonians 4:14).


your faith is futile

- “your faith is futile” means faith becomes empty, powerless, without effect (Galatians 2:21).

- Christianity is not a mere ethical system; it hinges on a living Savior (Romans 4:24-25).

- Without the resurrection, trusting Christ would be like leaning on a broken staff—no forgiveness, no new life, no future glory (Hebrews 11:1; 1 Corinthians 15:19).

- A futile faith cannot justify, sanctify, or assure (Romans 5:1; Philippians 3:10-11).


you are still in your sins

- “you are still in your sins” declares that, without the risen Christ, the penalty and power of sin remain (Romans 6:23).

- The resurrection is God’s receipt that Jesus’ sacrifice was accepted (Hebrews 10:12-14; Acts 13:38-39).

- If Christ stayed in the grave, sin stayed on us. His rising proves the debt is paid and the record cleared (Colossians 2:13-15).

- Remaining “in your sins” means separation from God now and eternally (Ephesians 2:1-5), highlighting the urgency of a living Savior.


summary

Paul’s single verse drives home a triple truth: the resurrection is essential, faith stands or falls on it, and only a risen Christ removes sin. Because Jesus lives, our faith is vibrant, our sins are forgiven, and our hope is unshakeable.

Verse 17. - Vain; rather, frustrate. The word used (mataia) is different from the word used (kene) in ver 14. Ye are yet in your sins. Because a dead Redeemer could be no Redeemer. Christ's resurrection is the pledge of his Divine power. He was "raised for our justification" (Romans 4:25). It is only "as a Prince and Saviour" that "God hath exalted him to give repentance and forgiveness of sins" (Acts 5:31; Romans 5:10).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
And
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

if
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

Christ
Χριστὸς (Christos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

has not been raised,
ἐγήγερται (egēgertai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1453: (a) I wake, arouse, (b) I raise up. Probably akin to the base of agora; to waken, i.e. Rouse.

your
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

faith
πίστις (pistis)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4102: Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.

is
ἐστίν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

futile;
ματαία (mataia)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3152: Vain, unreal, ineffectual, unproductive; practically: godless. From the base of maten; empty, i.e. profitless, or, an idol.

you are
ἐστὲ (este)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

still
ἔτι (eti)
Adverb
Strong's 2089: (a) of time: still, yet, even now, (b) of degree: even, further, more, in addition. Perhaps akin to etos; 'yet, ' still.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

your
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

sins.
ἁμαρτίαις (hamartiais)
Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 266: From hamartano; a sin.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 15:17 If Christ has not been raised your (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 15:16
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