1 Corinthians 15:29 (ASV)

Passage

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

Nearby Context

1 Corinthians 15:27 For, He put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject all things unto him.

1 Corinthians 15:28 And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that God may be all in all.

1 Corinthians 15:29 Else what shall they do that are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?

1 Corinthians 15:30 Why do we also stand in jeopardy every hour?

1 Corinthians 15:31 I protest by that glorifying in you, brethren, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "else", "shall", "baptized", "dead", and "raised". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "else" and "shall", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 28's "And when all things have been subjected..." into verse 30's "Why do we also stand in jeopardy...", so "else" and "shall" belong inside that flow. In 1 Corinthians context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "else" and "shall" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.