Appeared: see comment on verse 5.

Brethren: usually in 1 Corinthians this word means “fellow Christians,” but in this verse “his followers” (Good News Bible) would be more correct.

Are … alive is literally “remain,” but in most languages “are alive” will be more meaningful.

Though: this Greek word is usually translated “but.” However, there is no emphasis on the last clause, as there would be if “but” were used in English. Paul’s point is that there are many people still alive who can confirm that Jesus rose from death. Therefore though is the more natural word here.

The phrase have fallen asleep will be misunderstood in most languages. The meaning is “have died,” as in Good News Bible.

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 .