What happens to preaching and faith if Christ has not been raised?
If Christ has not been raised, preaching is vain and faith is also vain. Paul argues that if there is no resurrection from the dead, then Christ is not risen, and faithful churchgoing, hymn singing, and Christian activity become foolish and a waste of time.
Les explains that Paul likely encountered Sadducees in Corinth, since they rejected resurrection from the dead as foolishness, and some in Corinth were saying there is no resurrection. Paul reasons that if there is no resurrection from the dead, then Christ is not risen. In verse 14, if Christ is not risen, then preaching is vain and faith is also vain. Les points out that anyone who ascribes to some form of Christianity, is faithful in churchgoing and Christian activity, would be most foolish and wasting their time if there is no resurrection. Why sit in the pew, sing the hymns of the faith, and do these things if there is no resurrection from the dead? It is foolishness. This is Paul’s argument.
And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.