The Meaning of 1 Corinthians 15:13 Explained

1 Corinthians 15:13

KJV: But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:

YLT: and if there be no rising again of dead persons, neither hath Christ risen;

Darby: But if there is not a resurrection of those that are dead, neither is Christ raised:

ASV: But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither hath Christ been raised:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But  if  there be  no  resurrection  of the dead,  then  is  Christ  not  risen: 

What does 1 Corinthians 15:13 Mean?

Context Summary

1 Corinthians 15:12-28 - Christ's Resurrection Assures Ours
The argument here goes to show, first, that our resurrection is intimately connected with Christ's. There must be such a thing, because he, as the representative of humanity, arose from the dead, in a human body which, though more ethereal in its texture, was easily recognizable by those who had known Him previously. Mary was recalled by the well-known intonations of her Master's voice. Thomas was compelled to believe, in spite of his protestations to the contrary. In fact, all of our Lord's friends were convinced against themselves. They credited the tidings of the risen Lord as idle tales. Therefore, says the Apostle, it is far easier to admit that man will rise than to face the difficulties of a still buried Christ, a vain faith, a vain gospel, and a false testimony from so many accredited witnesses.
What a burst of music breaks forth in 1 Corinthians 15:20-28! The first fruit sheaf is the forerunner and specimen of all the harvest. In Christ the whole Church was presented to God, and we may judge of the whole by Him. Note the divine order in 1 Corinthians 15:23 : first, Christ; then, His own; lastly, the end, when death itself shall be destroyed, all enemies conquered, and the kingdom of an emancipated universe finally handed back by the Mediator to the Father. [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 15:13

Neither hath Christ been raised [ουδε Χριστος εγηγερται]
He turns the argument round with tremendous force. But it is fair. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 15:13

1 Corinthians 15:16  []
Repeats the position already taken in 1 Corinthians 15:13 . [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Corinthians 15:13 mean?

If however a resurrection of [the] dead not there is neither Christ has been raised
εἰ δὲ ἀνάστασις νεκρῶν οὐκ ἔστιν οὐδὲ Χριστὸς ἐγήγερται

δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
ἀνάστασις  a  resurrection 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀνάστασις  
Sense: a raising up, rising (e.
νεκρῶν  of  [the]  dead 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: νεκρός  
Sense: properly.
ἔστιν  there  is 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
οὐδὲ  neither 
Parse: Adverb
Root: οὐδέ  
Sense: but not, neither, nor, not even.
Χριστὸς  Christ 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Χριστός  
Sense: Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God.
ἐγήγερται  has  been  raised 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἐγείρω  
Sense: to arouse, cause to rise.