Verses 12, 13, and 14 begin in the same way in Greek: “if,” followed by a Greek word that has a range of meanings including “and” and “but.” In verse 12 this word marks the introduction to a new thought, so it should be translated “Now,” as in Revised Standard Version and Good News Bible. But in verses 13-14 the word introduces further links in Paul’s chain of argument and thus is translated differently. See the comments on verses 13 and 14. In certain languages translators will find it helpful to express this connecting word as “So” or “Therefore.”

Paul begins this verse with the common and basic Christian belief that Christ was raised and is still alive (see comments on 1 Cor. 15.4). The verb is preached, then, implies a preaching that is done by any Christian evangelist.

Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead may be rendered as “Now since people preach that God has raised Christ from the dead.”

How can some of you say: some is slightly emphasized; Moffatt has “certain individuals among you.”

There is no resurrection of the dead is a literal translation of the Greek. Most languages will need to use a verb for resurrection to show that it is an event or action. Good News Bible‘s “the dead will not be raised to life” is a good translation. However, in languages that do not have a passive, one may say “the dead will not receive life again.”

This verse makes it clear that Paul is discussing the resurrection in reply to false teaching in Corinth. Outside this chapter Paul uses the word for resurrection only in speaking of Christ, except in Phil 3.11, and 2 Tim 2.18. Normally he uses a different verb translated “raised.” In the passive this verb usually indicates the activity of God.

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .