1 Corinthians 15

proclaimed as good news
Normally, the word εὐαγγελίζω (euangelizō) is translated as “proclaim good news” or “proclaim the gospel.” However, because of the cognate construction “gospel” (εὐαγγέλιον; euangelion) just prior, it is translated here as “proclaimed as good news.” This allows both for a consistent rendering and smooth flow in English.

proclaimed…as good news
Refer to the discussion on verse 1 above. This translation also directly brings out the message to which Paul was devoted. Paul had a very specific message—a word (λόγος; logos)—which is the good news he proclaimed to them .

for nothing
While the term εἰκῇ (eikē) here can also be translated as “vain,” it is distinct from the other term translated as “vain” in verse 10 (κενός; kenos). The term in verse 10 is more appropriately translated as “vain” because it carries the idea of emptiness, whereas the term here refers to something done without purpose (compare BDAG on εἰκῇ and κενός). The translation “for nothing” provides a distinct gloss, aptly carries the intended sense, and appears also in Romans 13:4, and for these reasons, it is implemented here as well. The point is that Paul urges his readers to remember the purpose for which they have believed the gospel. He outlines the glorious blessings that belong to believers, and by adding this final phrase, he reminds them through a contrast of what is in fact theirs by faith.

After that
“After that” translates the same term also used at the beginning of verse 6 (ἔπειτα; epeita), and thus it is translated in the same way here. The matching phrases help English readers better sense the cascading sequence of appearances that Paul is recounting before he ultimately gets to the time when Christ appeared to him (v. 8).

worthy
While some translations have “not fit” or “unfit,” the term ἱκανός (hikanos) used here is translated as “worthy” in part to distinguish it from a different term (ἄξιος; axios) that is more properly translated as “fit” in 1 Corinthians 16:4. While the terms have semantic overlap with one another, ἄξιος (axios) carries a stronger sense of correspondence between one thing and another, while this term refers to the internal competence and adequacy of a thing, thus lending itself more immediately to the English idea of worthiness. In the context, Paul is clearly mentioning his own self-perception as one who is the least adequate to be called an apostle of Christ, since he himself was a persecutor of the church of God.

bore witness
The consistent gloss for the term μαρτυρέω (martureō) here is “witness,” and thus “bore witness” is used here rather than “testify.” While the legal overtones are clear from the context, the English gloss “bore witness” better accents the connection to Paul hypothetically being a “false witness” (ψευδομάρτυς; pseudomartus) if in fact the gospel is not true.

have fallen asleep
The phrase “have fallen asleep” better captures the perfect tense of the Greek participle κεκοιμημένων (kekoimēmenōn). Since the perfect tense usually emphasizes a completed action with continuing effects or results in the present, readers can see that Paul puts the death of these believers in the past and treats them as those currently asleep. Though they have died, they should not be viewed as now non-existent, but rather simply as currently sleeping. This thus contributes to the hope of resurrection. In this context, Paul makes it clear that the risen Christ is a living preview of how their current state will gloriously change (cf. v. 51).

to be abolished
The phrase “to be abolished” translates the Greek present infinitive καταργεῖται (katargeitai). While some translations render the verb with a future tense (e.g., “that will be abolished”), the verb is actually in the present tense (καταργεῖται; katargeitai) like many others in this context. The abundance of present tense verbs clarifies what Paul wants to emphasize. A future tense throughout this sequence would emphasize the timing of these events in their relationship to Paul. But Paul has already established that these are future events (vv. 22, 24), and his more immediate concern at this point is to describe the order in which they occur (cf. v. 23). His point now is the order itself. In this verse, he emphasizes the very last event in that ordered list—the abolition of death. Paul’s emphasis on the order of events also helps to explain his use of the infinitive here, since the infinitive does not emphasize who will accomplish the act, but merely that the act that is accomplished. All of this puts before the readers’ minds the glorious realities of what will happen, not the specific times and dates of when.

righteously
Some translations have “become sober-minded as you ought,” but the adverb translated “as you ought” is literally “righteously” (δικαίως; dikaiōs). Bringing the idea of “righteousness” explicitly into English helps readers tie this statement to the contrast of “good” and “bad” in verse 33 as well as the contrast of “righteousness” and “sin” in this verse. Paul intends for the knowledge of God to provide them moral clarity and prevent them from a lack of moral discernment.

corruptible…incorruptible
The terms “corruptible” and “incorruptible” translate φθαρτὸν (phtharton) and ἀφθαρσίαν (aphtharsian) respectively. They continue to be used by Paul throughout the rest of this chapter (cf. vv. 50, 53, 54), and thus should be translated consistently to tie his whole argument together. This consistency helps readers trace Paul’s line of reasoning throughout the chapter, emphasizing the eternal and incorruptible nature of believers’ resurrection bodies, which provides them great hope and confidence, as well as motivation not settle for or cling to what is corruptible.

corruptible…incorruptible
Refer to the discussion on verse 42 above.

corruptible…incorruptible
Refer to the discussion on verse 42 above.

corruptible…incorruptible
Refer to the discussion on verse 42 above.

puts on
“Puts on” provides a smoother and no less accurate reading to carry over the subjunctive mood of ἐνδύσηται (endysētai) than the more burdensome “will have put on.” It also more properly conveys the sense of the aorist tense of the verb, which communicates simple action. Paul sees this “putting on” as a simple inevitability in connection with the resurrection of believers.

Punctuation can be an important part of translation. This statement is punctuated with an exclamation mark to bring out the emphasis of Paul here in celebrating the victory of resurrection brought about through the Lord Jesus Christ. It is truly a statement worthy of emphasis, and is aptly punctuated to show his joy.

labor
The word translated “labor” here (κόπος; kopos) appeared earlier in verse 10. Translating the same word the same way in both places in this chapter helps to bring out an important word play, as Paul highlights that the work of ministry is intense by its nature. Paul labored intensely because he understood the value and reward of his task, and here he reminds his readers that their labor likewise is not in vain in the Lord.