King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 15:17 Mean?

1 Corinthians 15:17 in the King James Version says “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

1 Corinthians 15:17 · King James Version

Faith

Context

15

Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.

16

For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:

17

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

18

Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

19

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

Read 1 Corinthians 15 full chapter

Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain (εἰ δὲ Χριστὸς οὐκ ἐγήγερται, ματαία ἡ πίστις ὑμῶν)—Paul uses mataia (ματαία, "vain, futile, empty") instead of v. 14's kenē. While kenē means "empty of content," mataia means "worthless, without result or purpose." Faith in a dead messiah accomplishes nothing—it's not merely empty but useless, impotent, futile.

Ye are yet in your sins (ἔτι ἐστὲ ἐν ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις ὑμῶν)—This is the devastating punchline. Without resurrection, atonement is incomplete. Christ's death without vindication would mean sin won, death conquered, God failed. The resurrection is God's "Amen" to the cross—divine certification that the sacrifice was accepted, sin defeated, new covenant ratified. The phrase en tais hamartiais ("in your sins") indicates remaining under sin's dominion, guilt, and penalty.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jewish sacrificial system required priestly acceptance of offerings. Christ's resurrection is divine acceptance of his sacrifice (Romans 4:25: 'raised for our justification'). Without it, Christ's death is just another Roman crucifixion—brutal, tragic, meaningless. Resurrection declares: the sacrifice worked, sin is atoned, death is defeated.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does resurrection validate the atonement—why isn't Christ's death alone sufficient?
  2. What does 'yet in your sins' mean practically—what would be different without resurrection?
  3. How does Paul's argument show that cross and resurrection are inseparable—why can't we have one without the other?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 15 words
εἰ1 of 15

“if”

G1487

if, whether, that, etc

δὲ2 of 15

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

Χριστὸς3 of 15

“Christ”

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

οὐκ4 of 15

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἐγήγερται5 of 15

“be”

G1453

to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from

ματαία6 of 15

“is vain”

G3152

empty, i.e., (literally) profitless, or (specially), an idol

ἡ7 of 15
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πίστις8 of 15

“faith”

G4102

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

ὑμῶν9 of 15

“your”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

ἔτι10 of 15

“yet”

G2089

"yet," still (of time or degree)

ἐστὲ11 of 15

“ye are”

G2075

ye are

ἐν12 of 15

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ταῖς13 of 15
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἁμαρτίαις14 of 15

“sins”

G266

a sin (properly abstract)

ὑμῶν15 of 15

“your”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Corinthians 15:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Corinthians 15:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 4:251 Peter 1:31 Corinthians 15:141 Peter 1:21Romans 8:33-34Romans 5:10

Test Your Knowledge

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