Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 15:18
Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian believers to correct their theological confusion regarding the resurrection. He delivers this declaration immediately after establishing that Christ’s resurrection is the necessary foundation for forgiveness and hope.
The words — The Greek verb ἀπώλοντο (apōlonto) translates literally to "have perished" or "are destroyed." It directly modifies κοιμηθέντες (koimēthentes), meaning "having fallen asleep," which refers to deceased believers.
The thread — The phrase "fallen asleep in Christ" connects to 1 Thessalonians 4:13 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16, where Paul defines Christian death and promises a future divine descent. The resurrection certainty that prevents this perishing is anchored in the historical witness cited in 1 Corinthians 15:6.
Why it lands — The text states that denying the resurrection results in the permanent loss of those who trust in Christ. It requires the reader to acknowledge that faith detached from bodily resurrection offers no deliverance from sin or death.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
Cross-references
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13 Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise.
- 1 Corinthians 15:6 After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.
- Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven telling me to write, “Blessed are the dead—those who die in the Lord from this moment on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labors, for their deeds will follow them.”