1 Corinthians 15:20

But now. Paul has historically proved the truth of Christ’s resurrection (vs. 5-8), and has emphasized the destructive effects of denying the resurrection (vs. 13-19). He can now claim to have demolished the negative teaching, and can triumphantly state the certainty of Christ’s resurrection. The expression “but now” impresses this certainty on the minds of Paul’s readers. It turns away from the negative considerations of vs. 12—19, and boldly considers the positive results accruing from belief in the resurrection, (vs. 20-34).

Risen. See on v. 4, where the same form of the Greek verb occurs.

And become. Textual evidence attests (cf. p. 10) the omission of these words.

Firstfruits. The ancient Israelites were commanded to present the first sheaf of the barley harvest to the priest, who waved it before the Lord as a pledge of the full harvest that was to follow. This ceremony was to be performed on the 16th of Nisan (Abib; see on Lev. 23:10; see v. 11). The Passover supper was eaten on Nisan 14 (see on v. 5), and on the 16th came the offering of the first fruits. The wave sheaf of the first fruits of the harvest was a type of Christ, the “firstfruits,” or pledge, of the great harvest that will follow when all the righteous dead are raised at the second coming of Jesus (see 1 Cor. 15:23; 1 Thess. 4:14-16). Christ rose from the dead on the very day that the wave sheaf was presented in the Temple (see on Lev. 23:14; Luke 23:56; 24:1; see Vol. V, pp. 248-251). As the first sheaf was a pledge and an assurance of the ingathering of the entire harvest, so the resurrection of Christ is a pledge that all who put their trust in Him will be raised from the dead.

That slept. Rather, “who have fallen asleep.” For sleep as a figure of death see on v. 6. The term here refers to those who have died as Christians, believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour.