1 Corinthians 15:29,30 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Else, or otherwise, what shall they do What will become of them? what shall they do to repair their loss, who are exposed to great sufferings in consequence of being baptized for the dead That is, say some, “In token of their embracing the Christian faith in the room of the dead, who are just fallen in the cause of Christ, but are yet supported by a succession of new converts, who immediately offer themselves to fill up their places, as ranks of soldiers that advance to combat in the room of their companions, who have just been slain in their sight.” Others say, “In hope of blessings to be received after they are numbered with the dead.” Many other interpretations are given of this obscure and ambiguous phrase, υπερ των νεκρων, for the dead. But perhaps that of Dr. Macknight is the most probable, who supplies the words της αναστασεως, and reads the clause, who are baptized for the resurrection of the dead, or are immersed in sufferings, because of their believing in, and testifying the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead: for which interpretation he adduces solid reasons. If the dead rise not If the doctrine I oppose be true, and the dead are not raised at all; why are they then baptized for the resurrection of the dead? And why stand we The apostles; also in jeopardy And are exposed to so much danger and suffering; every hour In the service of a Master from whom, it is evident, we have no secular rewards to expect.