KJV: Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
YLT: Seeing what shall they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? why also are they baptized for the dead?
Darby: Since what shall the baptised for the dead do if those that are dead rise not at all? why also are they baptised for them?
ASV: Else what shall they do that are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?
| Ἐπεὶ | Otherwise |
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Parse: Conjunction Root: ἐπεί Sense: when, since. |
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| ποιήσουσιν | will they do |
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Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural Root: ποιέω Sense: to make. |
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| βαπτιζόμενοι | are baptized |
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Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Nominative Masculine Plural Root: βαπτίζω Sense: to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk). |
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| νεκρῶν | dead |
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Parse: Adjective, Genitive Masculine Plural Root: νεκρός Sense: properly. |
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| ὅλως | at all |
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Parse: Adverb Root: ὅλως Sense: wholly, altogether. |
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| νεκροὶ | [the] dead |
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Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural Root: νεκρός Sense: properly. |
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| ἐγείρονται | are raised |
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Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Plural Root: ἐγείρω Sense: to arouse, cause to rise. |
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| τί | why |
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Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular Root: τίς Sense: who, which, what. |
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| καὶ | also |
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Parse: Conjunction Root: καί Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but. |
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| βαπτίζονται | are they baptized |
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Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Plural Root: βαπτίζω Sense: to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk). |
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Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 15:29
Otherwise, if not true. On this use of επει epei with ellipsis see note on 1 Corinthians 5:10; note on 1 Corinthians 7:14. [source]
This passage remains a puzzle. Stanley gives thirteen interpretations, no one of which may be correct. Over thirty have been suggested. The Greek expositors took it to be about the dead Tertullian tells of some heretics who took it to mean baptized in the place of dead people (unsaved) in order to save them. Some take it to be baptism over the dead. Others take it to mean that Paul and others were in peril of death as shown by baptism (see 1 Corinthians 15:30). At all (ολως holōs). See note on 1 Corinthians 5:1. [source]
See note on 1 Corinthians 5:1. [source]
What will they effect or accomplish. Not, What will they have recourse to? nor, How will it profit them? The reference is to the living who are baptized for the dead. [source]
Concerning this expression, of which some thirty different explanations are given, it is best to admit frankly that we lack the facts for a decisive interpretation. None of the explanations proposed are free from objection. Paul is evidently alluding to a usage familiar to his readers; and the term employed was, as Godet remarks, in their vocabulary, a sort of technical phrase. A large number of both ancient and modern commentators adopt the view that a living Christian was baptized for an unbaptized dead Christian. The Greek expositors regarded the words the dead as equivalent to the resurrection of the dead, and the baptism as a manifestation of belief in the doctrine of the resurrection. Godet adopts the explanation which refers baptism to martyrdom - the baptism of blood - and cites Luke 12:50, and Mark 10:38. In the absence of anything more satisfactory I adopt the explanation given above. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 15:29
Cognate accusative with both passive verbs. Matthew 20:22 has only the cup, but Mark has both the cup and the baptism, both referring to death. Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane will refer to his death again as “the cup” (Mark 14:36; Matthew 26:39; Luke 22:42). He had already used baptism as a figure for his death (Luke 12:50). Paul will use it several times (1 Corinthians 15:29; Romans 6:3-6; Colossians 2:12). [source]
It is much disputed whether ὑπέρ onbehalf of, is ever equivalent to ἀντί insteadof. The classical writers furnish instances where the meanings seem to be interchanged. Thus Xenophon: “Seuthes asked, Wouldst thou, Episthenes, die for this one ( ὑπὲρ τούτου )?” Seuthes asked the boy if he should smite him (Episthenes) instead of him ( ἀντ ' ἐκείνου ) So Irenaeus: “Christ gave His life for ( ὑπέρ ) our lives, and His flesh for ( ἀντί ) our flesh.” Plato, “Gorgias,” 515, “If you will not answer for yourself, I must answer for you ( ὐπὲρ σοῦ ).” In the New Testament Philemon 1:13is cited; ὑπὲρ σου , A.V., in thy stead; Rev., in thy behalf. So 1 Corinthians 15:29, “baptized for the dead ( ὑπὲρ τῶν νεκρῶν ).” The meaning of this passage, however, is so uncertain that it cannot fairly be cited in evidence. The preposition may have a local meaning, over the dead. None of these passages can be regarded as decisive. The most that can be said is that ὑπέρ borders on the meaning of ἀντί . Instead of is urged largely on dogmatic grounds. In the great majority of passages the sense is clearly for the sake of, on behalf of. The true explanation seems to be that, in the passages principally in question, those, namely, relating to Christ's death, as here, Galatians 3:13; Romans 14:15; 1 Peter 3:18, ὑπέρ characterizes the more indefinite and general proposition - Christ died on behalf of - leaving the peculiar sense of in behalf of undetermined, and to be settled by other passages. The meaning instead of may be included in it, but only inferentially. Godet says: “The preposition can signify only in behalf of. It refers to the end, not at all to the mode of the work of redemption.” [source]
There is a suppressed condition between επει epei and πως pōs an idiom occurring several times in the N.T. (1 Corinthians 15:29; Romans 11:6, Romans 11:22). “Since, if that were true, how.” [source]
Literally, wholly, altogether, like Latin omnino and Greek παντως pantōs (1 Corinthians 9:22). So papyri have it for “really” and also for “generally” or “everywhere” as is possible here. See also 1 Corinthians 6:7. With a negative it has the sense of “not at all” as in 1 Corinthians 15:29; Matthew 5:34 the only N.T. examples, though a common word. [source]