| 16. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the conditional marker ei {εἰ | eí} followed by the explanatory conjunction gar {γὰρ | gàr}, forming an explanatory first-class conditional clause that connects to the preceding discussion of resurrection. The protasis centers on nekroi {νεκροὶ | nekrói} “dead ones,” a nominative plural adjective used substantivally, with the present passive indicative verb egeirontai {ἐγείρονται | egeírontai} “are raised,” negated by ouk {οὐκ | ouk}. This asserts the general principle about resurrection. The apodosis is introduced by oude {οὐδὲ | oudè} “nor, not even,” which intensifies the conclusion by shifting from the general to the specific subject Christos {Χριστὸς | Christós}. The perfect passive verb egegertai {ἐγήγερται | egḗgertai} “has been raised” conveys a completed past action with ongoing significance. Syntactically, the conditional protasis plus coordinated apodosis delivers Paul’s logical inference: if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ’s resurrection would also be nullified. |