Baptism for the DeadBaptism for the Dead

1 Corinthians 15:291 Corinthians 15:29

IntroductionIntroduction

Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 15:29 is difficult and much debated. 15:29 is difficult and much debated.

What is the significance of being What is the significance of being “baptized for the dead”? “baptized for the dead”?

Greek TextGreek Text

The Greek reads The Greek reads Ἐπεὶ τί ποιήσουσιν οἱ Ἐπεὶ τί ποιήσουσιν οἱ βαπτιζόμενοι βαπτιζόμενοι ὑπὲρὑπὲρ τῶν νεκρῶν; εἰ τῶν νεκρῶν; εἰ ὅλως νεκροὶ οὐκ ἐγείρονται, τί καὶ ὅλως νεκροὶ οὐκ ἐγείρονται, τί καὶ βαπτίζονται βαπτίζονται ὑπὲρὑπὲρ αὐτῶν αὐτῶν; ; (NA27). (NA27).

A literal translation is: “Otherwise / what / A literal translation is: “Otherwise / what / will they do / the ones having been will they do / the ones having been baptized / for / the dead? / If / all, actually / baptized / for / the dead? / If / all, actually / (the) dead / not / they are being raised (the) dead / not / they are being raised up / why / even, also / are they being up / why / even, also / are they being baptized / for / them?”baptized / for / them?”

Greek PrepositionGreek Preposition

The difficulty centers upon the phrase “for The difficulty centers upon the phrase “for the dead.” The preposition the dead.” The preposition ὑπέρὑπέρ, here , here translated “for,” occurring in the genitive translated “for,” occurring in the genitive case, signifiescase, signifies– ““(1) marker indicating that an activity or event (1) marker indicating that an activity or event

is in some entity’s interest, is in some entity’s interest, for, in behalf of, for for, in behalf of, for the sake of someone/somethingthe sake of someone/something; ;

– (2) marker of the moving cause or reason, (2) marker of the moving cause or reason, because of, for the sake of, forbecause of, for the sake of, for; ;

– (3) marker of general content, whether of a (3) marker of general content, whether of a discourse or mental activity, discourse or mental activity, about, concerning.about, concerning.” ”

Elliptical ConstructionElliptical Construction

Adding to the difficulty is the Adding to the difficulty is the elliptical wording of this verse. elliptical wording of this verse.

In grammar, an ellipsis involves the In grammar, an ellipsis involves the omission of a word (or words) omission of a word (or words) necessary for complete grammatical necessary for complete grammatical construction, yet the omitted words construction, yet the omitted words are implied in the context. are implied in the context.

Elliptical ConstructionElliptical Construction

For example, we often say “if For example, we often say “if possible” in the place of “if it is possible” in the place of “if it is possible.” possible.”

The elliptical wording of The elliptical wording of “for the “for the dead”dead” can actually signify can actually signify “baptism “baptism with view to the world of the dead, with view to the world of the dead, into which we are all going”into which we are all going” ( (Davis Davis Dictionary of the BibleDictionary of the Bible, [1983], s.v. , [1983], s.v. “Baptism,” p. 80). “Baptism,” p. 80).

English TranslationsEnglish Translations

Else what shall they do which are Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? (KJV)baptized for the dead? (KJV)

Otherwise, what will they do who are Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead? (NKJV)baptized for the dead? (NKJV)

English TranslationsEnglish Translations

Else what shall they do that are Else what shall they do that are baptized for the dead? If the dead baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them? (ASV)they baptized for them? (ASV)

Otherwise, what will those do who Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them? are they baptized for them? (NASB95)(NASB95)

DiscussionDiscussion

In 1st Corinthians 15, Paul discusses In 1st Corinthians 15, Paul discusses the consequences of denying the the consequences of denying the resurrection. resurrection.

Proper understanding of verse 29 Proper understanding of verse 29 requires an answer to the following requires an answer to the following questions: In this context, questions: In this context, – What is the meaning of baptism?What is the meaning of baptism?– Who are the dead?Who are the dead?

Principles of Bible StudyPrinciples of Bible Study

Truth is harmonious, consistent, and Truth is harmonious, consistent, and without contradiction. When studying without contradiction. When studying problematic passages, such as the problematic passages, such as the present text, we must avoid any present text, we must avoid any interpretation that would contradict interpretation that would contradict plain teaching found elsewhere. plain teaching found elsewhere.

Let us, therefore, approach this text Let us, therefore, approach this text as an exercise in proper Bible study, as an exercise in proper Bible study, interpreting the difficult in light of the interpreting the difficult in light of the simple. simple.

Several PossibilitiesSeveral Possibilities

Does the text refer to the practice of proxy Does the text refer to the practice of proxy baptism by the living on behalf of the baptism by the living on behalf of the dead? dead?

Does it allude to fervent exhortation to Does it allude to fervent exhortation to obedience from saints who have already obedience from saints who have already died?died?

Does baptism here symbolically describe Does baptism here symbolically describe suffering?suffering?

Does it refer to the practice of Christian Does it refer to the practice of Christian baptism?baptism?

Baptism for the DeadBaptism for the Dead

Surrogate Obedience? – No!Surrogate Obedience? – No!

Final Exhortations? – No!Final Exhortations? – No!

Symbolic Suffering? – No!Symbolic Suffering? – No!

Water Baptism? – Yes!Water Baptism? – Yes!

ConclusionConclusion

Through Christ Jesus, we achieve Through Christ Jesus, we achieve victory over death (1 Corinthians victory over death (1 Corinthians 15:50-58). 15:50-58).

Do you have hope of heaven? Are you Do you have hope of heaven? Are you willing to take those steps necessary willing to take those steps necessary to enjoy God’s grace? to enjoy God’s grace?

Will you obey the gospel plan of Will you obey the gospel plan of salvation, dying to the old man of sin, salvation, dying to the old man of sin, being buried with Christ in baptism, being buried with Christ in baptism, raised to walk in newness of life? raised to walk in newness of life?

InvitationInvitation

Those who are dead in sin, must die Those who are dead in sin, must die to sin if they hope to be victorious to sin if they hope to be victorious over death that entered the world over death that entered the world because of sin.because of sin.

Therefore, have you been baptized Therefore, have you been baptized for the dead? for the dead?

If not, obey the gospel while there is If not, obey the gospel while there is time and opportunity!time and opportunity!