Free Bible Commentary
“1 Corinthians 15:20-28”
Categories: 1 Corinthians“But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET. But when He says, ‘All things are put in subjection,’ it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.”
---End of Scripture Verses---
Okay so Paul is still arguing that belief in the resurrection of Christ and of mankind at His return is a no-brainer for the child of God. If there is no resurrection than God’s whole plan of the eternal salvation for mankind is doomed to failure. “The last enemy that will be abolished is death” (verse 26). If the dead do not resurrect then that means death will never be defeated, Satan wins, God loses, we all lose! But, of course we know that that is simply not a possibility!
“But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep” (verse 20). Technically speaking, Jesus was not the “first” to arise from the dead (sleep), for others, such as Lazarus, had been brought back to life from death. But Jesus IS the first to come alive again and STAY that way! But Paul is actually not saying that Jesus is the “first” but the “first fruits”. The idea of “first fruits” is an Old Testament concept and command where God’s people offered Him the first and best of the produce of the earth, which, in turn, served as a guarantee that God would provide all the rest to follow.
Just as Israel gathered their harvest after they sacrificed the first fruits, God will “gather up” all His faithful children and bring them home to heaven with Christ when He returns! And, just as the idea of Christ being our “Forerunner” into heaven implies that we will follow Him there; also the idea of “first fruits” implies an “order” in the resurrection—First Christ arises, then we will follow. The difference is that Christ was the Forerunner into heaven only for those who faithfully and obediently follow Him. But, the bodily resurrection is guaranteed to ALL people who have ever lived and died.
“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive” (verse 22). Paul is obviously talking about the “general resurrection” of all the dead, when Christ returns to judge the living and the dead, and to take His disciples home to heaven. Because of Adam’s sin, all human beings have to die (accept for those living on the earth at Christ’s Second Coming). And because of Christ’s resurrection, all human beings will arise. “Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment” (John 5:28-29).
“The last enemy that will be abolished is death” (verse 26). I can’t wait to go home to heaven! Truth is, no one of us will have to wait very long to meet our eternal destinies! And physical death is the necessary “portal” to an everlasting spiritual existence. But. Make no mistake about it. Death is an ENEMY! Death is the Devil’s work. Because he brought sin into the world through the first man and woman, all people suffer (to one degree or another) and die. But Christ (who had to suffer and die as well because of {our} sins) is going to return to wipe our enemy out! He has already defeated Satan and He will soon defeat death once and forever! This will be the final demonstration of His power before He delivers the kingdom up to heaven and over to His Father (verses 27-28).
Oh and by the way, when Christ returns, “Then comes the end when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father” (verse 24). Did you catch that? When Christ returns, it will not be to establish a kingdom upon the earth, but to deliver His kingdom (which has long been established) up to the Father in heaven! I sure do pray that you are a part of that already-existing, spiritual kingdom (Christ’s church). If you are not or if you are uncertain, I would be glad to talk to you about that so you can make sure you are prepared for Christ’s return!
Please read 1 Corinthians 15:29-34.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
