There is a resurrection of the dead: Paul's proof by contradiction

[tonychanyt]

1 Corinthians 15:

13 If there is no resurrection of the dead,

Assume that there is no resurrection of the dead.

then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

The above are the consequences of the assumption. Here comes the contradiction:

20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

I.e., but we know for a fact that Christ was resurrected.

Therefore, there is a resurrection of the dead.

Strictly speaking, Paul didn't follow the exact formalities required by a modern rigorous proof by contradiction.

See also There is a resurrection of the dead: Jesus' proof by contradiction.