1 Corinthians 15:23

Every man. Literally, “each one.”

Order. Gr. tagma, “that which has been set in order,” “band,” “troop [of soldiers].”

Tagma does not occur elsewhere in the NT. The word was originally a military term, and conveys the idea of a series of ranks, such as are suggested in this verse. The triumphant Christ led the way on the resurrection morning, but He will be followed by the ranks of His saints who have been sleeping.

Firstfruits. See on v. 20. Others, such as Moses (see on Matt. 17:3) and Lazarus (see on John 11:43), had died and been raised to life before Jesus came out of the tomb, but they did so only by virtue of, and in anticipation of, Christ’s own resurrection (cf. DA 530). Without Christ’s victory over death, no other resurrection would have been possible. In this real sense, Christ is the first fruits of those who are made alive.

Afterward. Gr. epeita, “thereafter,” “then,” or “afterward,” used to enumerate successive events, and usually suggesting a chronological order. It is so used in vs. 6, 7, but a shorter form (eita, “then”), occurring in vs. 7, 24, carries a similar meaning. Here, Christ’s own resurrection, as the first fruits, is separated from the resurrection of the righteous.

Christ’s. That is, the people who belong to Christ, those who died trusting in the Redeemer. This class includes all who were justified by faith in OT times, those who believed in Christ during Paul’s day, and those who have believed since then. The redeemed of all ages may rightly be described as “Christ’s,” for our Redeemer purchased each one with His own blood.

At his coming. For comment on the word “coming” (Gr. parousia) see on Matt. 24:3. Paul definitely connects the resurrection of the redeemed with Christ’s return. See on John 14:3; 1 Cor. 15:51-53; 1 Thess. 4:14-16; Rev. 20:6.