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1 Corinthians 15:14

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Corinthians 15:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and if Christ hath not been raised, then is our preaching vain, your faith also is vain.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and if Christ hath not been raised, then is our preaching vain, your faith also is vain.
1 Corinthians 15:14 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Corinthians 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11Whether then [it be] I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
12Now if Christ is preached that he hath been raised from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither hath Christ been raised:
14and if Christ hath not been raised, then is our preaching vain, your faith also is vain.
15Yea, we are found false witnesses of God; because we witnessed of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead are not raised.
16For if the dead are not raised, neither hath Christ been raised:
17and if Christ hath not been raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
← 1 Corinthians 15:131 Corinthians 15:15 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And if Christ be not risen, etc.] If this is a truth, and must be taken as granted, as it must be, if there is no resurrection at all: then is our preaching vain; false, empty, delusory, unprofitable, and useless; not only that part of it which more especially concerns the resurrection of Christ, but even the whole of it; preaching Christ as the Son of God, which was the subject of the apostle’s ministry, and which he set out with, is to no purpose, if he is not risen; for one considerable proof of his sonship depends upon his resurrection, which is the declaration of it; for who can believe him to be the Son of God, if he is detained under the power of the grave? one reason why he could not…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“your faith . . . vain-- (Co1 15:11). The Greek for "vain" here is, empty, unreal: in Co1 15:17, on the other hand, it is, without use, frustrated. The principal argument of the first preachers in support of Christianity was that God had raised Christ from the dead (Act 1:22; Act 2:32; Act 4:10, Act 4:33; Act 13:37; Rom 1:4). If this fact were false, the faith built on it must be false too.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And if Christ is not risen, then is our preaching vain - Another consequence which must follow if it be held that there was no resurrection, and consequently that Christ was not risen. it would be vain and useless to preach. The substance of their preaching was that Christ was raised up; and all their preaching was based on that. If that were not true, the whole system was false, and Christianity was an imposition. The word vain here seems to include the idea of useless, idle, false. It would be “false” to affirm that the Christian system was from heaven; it would be useless to proclaim such a system, since it could save no one. And your faith is also vain - It is useless to believe. It can…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then is our preaching - From a commission supposed to be given after the resurrection. Vain - Without any real foundation. 1 Corinthians 15:15”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“15:14-18 If Christ has not risen from the dead, then Christian faith is useless. But in reality, Jesus’ resurrection is proof that the sacrifice of Christ fully atoned for human sins (see 15:3). If Christ has not been raised, then human beings remain unforgiven, under the judgment of God—still guilty of their sins (see Rom 3:19; Eph 2:1-3).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Co1 15:2, Co1 15:17; Psa 73:13; Isa 49:4; Gen 8:8; Mat 15:9; Act 17:31; Gal 2:2; Jam 1:26; Jam 2:20 1 Corinthians 15:15”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification