Baptized for the dead

[Doug]

The book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 15, verse 29 has posed some questions in regard to interpretation.

The verse under question reads as follows:

“Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?” 1 Corinthians 15:29

In order to clarify the meaning of baptized for the dead; it is necessary to examine the topic, and surrounding text.

The first verse to consider is:

“Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?” 1 Corinthians 15:12

The apostle Paul is writing to correct the teaching of some that there is no resurrection of the dead.

The next verses to consider is:

“For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.”
1 Corinthians 15:16-18

Now the reasoning of Paul’s teaching is that if there is no resurrection, then Christ did not rise: how could Christ have risen from the dead since resurrections are a specious notion?
If therefore Christ has not risen, then our faith is mislaid.
If Christ is not risen, then the testimony of the witnesses is beguiling.

If Christ is not risen; then there is no gospel; our faith is vain; and we are still in our sins.
Most importantly, in light of our consideration, those who fall asleep (die) are perished; there is no resurrection; there is no eternal life; only an eternal nothingness.

In this context we can then understand what baptized for the dead is.

There are numerous definitions of the word for.
One of the definitions of the word for is "in place of"; as in “Christ died for our sins”. This is not the use here.
Another definition of the word however, is "for the sake of"; an example would be “to suffer shame for his name”. This again is not the use.
Yet another use of for would be "as being"; an example would be “I mistook him for another”.
The use of for “as being” expresses the intent in verse 29.

We can then understand that the verse is asking;
what shall the baptized believers, whose hope is eternal life, do if being baptized is for nothing, since there is no hope, all there is, is death: what shall they do if they are baptized as being dead.
Since, as they say in error, there is no resurrection, and their only expectation is nothing but death, then there is no benefit to the hopeful anticipation of eternal life expressed by their baptism.

 

[faramir.pete]

The book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 15, verse 29 has posed some questions in regard to interpretation.

The verse under question reads as follows:

“Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?” 1 Corinthians 15:29

In order to clarify the meaning of baptized for the dead; it is necessary to examine the topic, and surrounding text.

The first verse to consider is:

“Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?” 1 Corinthians 15:12

The apostle Paul is writing to correct the teaching of some that there is no resurrection of the dead.

The next verses to consider is:

“For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.”
1 Corinthians 15:16-18

Now the reasoning of Paul’s teaching is that if there is no resurrection, then Christ did not rise: how could Christ have risen from the dead since resurrections are a specious notion?
If therefore Christ has not risen, then our faith is mislaid.
If Christ is not risen, then the testimony of the witnesses is beguiling.

If Christ is not risen; then there is no gospel; our faith is vain; and we are still in our sins.
Most importantly, in light of our consideration, those who fall asleep (die) are perished; there is no resurrection; there is no eternal life; only an eternal nothingness.

In this context we can then understand what baptized for the dead is.

There are numerous definitions of the word for.
One of the definitions of the word for is "in place of"; as in “Christ died for our sins”. This is not the use here.
Another definition of the word however, is "for the sake of"; an example would be “to suffer shame for his name”. This again is not the use.
Yet another use of for would be "as being"; an example would be “I mistook him for another”.
The use of for “as being” expresses the intent in verse 29.

We can then understand that the verse is asking;
what shall the baptized believers, whose hope is eternal life, do if being baptized is for nothing, since there is no hope, all there is, is death: what shall they do if they are baptized as being dead.
Since, as they say in error, there is no resurrection, and their only expectation is nothing but death, then there is no benefit to the hopeful anticipation of eternal life expressed by their baptism.

That is an interesting exposition of the text, but I think you are being far too intricate in your efforts to prove something that simply does not need to be proven.

I heard a different explanation of this same text, presumably by someone wishing to demonstrate that those who had died before being aware of life in Christ could be saved by someone being baptised in their place. In that explanation the writer simply referred to the historical facts of early Christian practice in this part of Greece, and suggested that as Paul did not criticise it and indeed seems to express its efficacy then perhaps it is possible for a person in the same state to be redeemed by the action of others who were close to them.

I am not suggesting the other writer is any more correct than the OP here, I simply record another point of view.


Pete from Peterborough UK

 

[Pedrito]

1 Corinthians 15:29: Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?

"...baptized for the dead". Actually, "for the dead ones". Plural. Third parties are indicated. (Some texts have "for them" at the end of the verse.)

The word translated "for" is Strongs G5228 – huper. With a noun in the Genetive case (as here) , it can mean (courtesy of Dr. E.W. Bullinger):

In the place of (e.g. John 11:50; 18:14. Romans 5:6. 1Timothy 2:6. Philemon 13. 1Peter 3:18.).
In the interests of (e.g. 2Thessalonians 2:1).
In behalf of (e.g. Matthew 5:44. Acts 9:16).
For the purpose of (e.g. John 11:4. Romans 15:8. 2Corinthians 12:19. Philemon 2:13).

“For the purpose of” is not compatible with the context.

“In the place of” is the meaning understood by (at least) the Mormon Church. (I am not using an emotional ploy to dismiss the idea per se. However, a reasonable question is, does it tie in with the rest of Scripture? Another is, is some religious rite called “baptism” of itself efficacious regarding salvation?) I would suggest the idea is questionable

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That leaves the other two:
- “In the interests of”;
- “In behalf of” (or “On behalf of”), in a sense different from “in the place of”.

Could it be that in Paul’s mind at least (under inspiration?) there were some people (maybe a definable group of people) who were taking some action that would benefit dead people?

How would that fit comfortably within the various conflicting doctrine sets inhabiting Christendom?

It wouldn’t. So either 1 Corinthians 15:29 remains inexplicable in a sensible, non-contrived sense, or some post-Nicene doctrinal activity has obscured the obviously simple meaning that Paul was conveying (whatever it was).

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The remedy I would suggest, and have been suggesting, is to go back to the True Source (the Bible), ridding your mind as much as possible of your doctrinal conditioning, and seeing what that Holy Revelation actually says. I promise you that if you do that, you will very quickly become uncomfortable with what you find. Yet it will be the truth.

 

[MennoSota]

Look at Paul's argument. It is not much different than the Preachers argument in Ecclesiastes.
1) Why baptize if we just die and are not resurrected. Publicly doing so would be foolish.
2) Why face death daily if there is no resurrection?
3) Why subject oneself to being killed by wild beasts if there is no resurrection?
Conclusion: Party, celebrate, let hedonism reign supreme for there is only death.
Like the Preacher said, "meaningless, meaningless all is meaningless."
1 Corinthians 15:28-32
[28]Then, when all things are under his authority, the Son will put himself under God’s authority, so that God, who gave his Son authority over all things, will be utterly supreme over everything everywhere.
[29]If the dead will not be raised, what point is there in people being baptized for those who are dead? Why do it unless the dead will someday rise again?
[30]And why should we ourselves risk our lives hour by hour?
[31]For I swear, dear brothers and sisters, that I face death daily. This is as certain as my pride in what Christ Jesus our Lord has done in you.
[32]And what value was there in fighting wild beasts—those people of Ephesus—if there will be no resurrection from the dead? And if there is no resurrection, “Let’s feast and drink, for tomorrow we die!”

 

[Andrew]

I think it may be a discerning between a spiritual resurrection from the spiritual death and the physical resurrection from the physical death.
The emphasis at my church is on well, both, which is confusing because they don't talk much about heaven but rather the here and now. Nothing wrong with that I suppose, our God is the God of the living and not the dead, but we must not forget the physical resurrection otherwise our teachings are in vain.

Sent from my LGLS755 using Tapatalk

 

[Lamb]

An important note to make in this letter to Corinth is Paul stating, "Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel". The people of Corinth needed reminders of what the gospel entailed because they were beginning to turn away from the truth, living in a city where temples to false gods were abundant so false theology was leading them astray. The resurrection is an important aspect of the gospel message because in Christ's resurrection we have hope for ourselves as believers.