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1 Corinthians 15:20-34

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

20. But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21. For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead. 22. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 24. Then [cometh] the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26. The last enemy [that] shall be destroyed [is] death. 27. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under [him, it is] manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. 29. Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? 30. And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? 31. I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32. If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. 33. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 34. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak [this] to your shame.

1 Corinthians 15:20-34 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:20

Theological / Devotional

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.

By SdaBc