It will be seen that, just as in the preceding section, the apostle's

first emphasis is upon the historic fact, and not upon the doctrine that is

based upon it.  If Christ indeed rose from the dead, then, whatever varieties

of opinion may be held, that fact remains and necessitates the fulfilment of

the great plan of redemption.  By comparing the corresponding members of the

structure set out above, it will be seen that the apostle brings the fact of

resurrection to bear upon doctrine and practice, the trials and experiences

of this present life, and the great reconciliation towards which the purpose

of the ages slowly but surely moves.  Let us examine each section.  First we

have the bearing of the resurrection upon doctrine.

a

If no resurrection.

b

Christ not raised.

c

If Christ not raised.

d

Preaching and faith vain.  False witness.

a

If no resurrection.

b

Christ not raised.

c

If Christ not raised.

d

Faith vain yet in sins.

Sleepers in Christ perished.

The section 13-34 is introduced by the question of verse 12:

`Now if Christ be preached that He rose from the dead, how say some

among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?'

We have here an argumentum ex absurdo.  The apostle had established

upon indubitable evidence and the testimony of Scripture that `Christ rose

again the third day'.  How, therefore, could anyone say, `There is no

resurrection of the dead', for if resurrection is proved to have taken place

once it may take place again.

`If the species be conceded, how is it that some among you deny the

genus?' (Alford in loco).

Verse 13 takes up the other position and shows its disastrous results:

`But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not

If it be absurd and unphilosophical to give credence to the idea that

there shall be a resurrection of the dead, it renders also faith in the

resurrection of Christ absurd and vain too.  Pursuing this aspect, the

apostle with relentless logic shows that they who deny the doctrine of the

resurrection deny the whole scheme of salvation.  The apostles' preaching

would be vain.  The word literally means `empty'.  Their proclamation would

be like sounding brass or tinkling cymbals.  So also their faith was vain who

had put their trust in the Christ they had preached.  Then for a moment the

apostle pauses to consider the position in which this denial placed the

apostles themselves -- men who had hazarded their lives for the truth they

believed -- men who had all to lose and nothing to gain in this life by their

testimony -- these must be branded as false witnesses of God, if Christ rose