1 Corinthians 15:12–20: Why the Resurrection Matters
Paul ties the whole Christian message to one event: Christ raised from the dead. Without it, preaching and faith are empty and sin still stands. With it, his resurrection is the first fruits of a coming harvest.
If Christ Has Not Been Raised: 1 Corinthians 15
Paul will not let the Corinthians keep a risen Christ while denying the resurrection of the dead. In 1 Corinthians 15:12–20 he shows that the two stand or fall together, then answers every loss with the turn of verse 20: Christ has been raised, the first fruits of those who are asleep.
Did Jesus really rise from the dead? A Biblical Guide
Paul does not treat the resurrection as a nice addition to the Christian message. He makes it the claim that holds up preaching, faith, and forgiveness, then declares that Christ has in fact been raised.