Otherwise, what will they do, the one who are being immersed in place of the dead? If wholly the dead do not rise, why also are they immersed in place of the dead? (1 Corinthians 15:29)
Prepositions are important, for their purpose is to clarify the relationships between nouns and other parts of a sentence. The preposition translated as “for” conveys the meaning of “in place of,” or “as a substitute.” Due to the carnality of the Corinthian assembly, many were made sick, rendered lame, and even put to death by God, so that they would not be condemned with the world (1 Corinthians 11:30–32).
In Paul’s discussion on the resurrection of Christ and its significance to the Christian, he asks a question concerning those who are becoming believers, replacing those who have died. What value is there in people being added to the Church if Christ has not been raised? However, Christ has indeed risen; therefore, we are to awaken to righteousness and cease from sinning (1 Corinthians 15:34).