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1 Corinthians 15:18

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Corinthians 15:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ have perished.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
1 Corinthians 15:18 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Corinthians 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
18Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
19If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable.
20But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep.
21For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead.
← 1 Corinthians 15:171 Corinthians 15:19 →
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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
“Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ, etc.] That is, who are dead, and have died in Christ: death is often represented by a sleep, and that more than once in this chapter; and doubtless with a view to the resurrection, which will be an awaking out of it, since it will not be perpetual: some understand this of such only who were fallen asleep, or died martyrs for the sake of Christ and his Gospel; as Stephen, James the brother of John, and others; but rather it designs all such as die in Christ, in union with him, whether in the lively exercise of faith, or not; of whom it must be said, if Christ is not risen, that they are perished: soul and body; for if there is no reason to…”
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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
“fallen asleep in Christ--in communion with Christ as His members. "In Christ's case the term used is death, to assure us of the reality of His suffering; in our case, sleep, to give us consolation: In His case, His resurrection having actually taken place, Paul shrinks not from the term death; in ours, the resurrection being still only a matter of hope, he uses the term falling asleep" [PHOTIUS, QuÃ&brvbrstiones AmphilochiÃ&brvbr, 197]. perished--Their souls are lost; they are in misery in the unseen world.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Then they also ... - This verse contains a statement of another consequence which must follow from the denial of the resurrection - that all Christians who had died had failed of salvation, and were destroyed. Which are fallen asleep in Christ - Which have died as Christians; 1 Corinthians 15:6 note; 1 Thessalonians 4:15 note. Are perished - Are destroyed; are not saved. They hoped to have been saved by the merits of the Lord Jesus; they trusted to a risen Saviour, and fixed all their hopes of heaven there; but if he did not rise, of course the whole system was delusion, and they have failed of heaven, and been destroyed. Their bodies lie in the grave, and return to their native dust without…”
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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
“They who sleep in Christ - Who have died for him, or believing in him. Are perished - Have lost their life and being together. 1 Corinthians 15:19”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“fallen: Co1 15:6; Th1 4:13, Th1 4:14; Rev 14:13 1 Corinthians 15:19”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification