JESUS, THE FIRSTFRUITS

Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:20-28

Key verse: 22

NIV

20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead,(A) the firstfruits(B) of those who have fallen asleep.(C) 21 For since death came through a man,(D) the resurrection of the dead(E) comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.(F) 23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits;(G) then, when he comes,(H) those who belong to him.(I) 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom(J) to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.(K) 25 For he must reign(L) until he has put all his enemies under his feet.(M) 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.(N) 27 For he “has put everything under his feet.”[a](O) Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ.(P) 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him,(Q) so that God may be all in all.(R)

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Corinthians 15:27 Psalm 8:6
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

20 But in fact (A)Christ has been raised from the dead, (B)the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as (C)by a man came death, (D)by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For (E)as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then (F)at his coming (G)those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers (H)the kingdom to God the Father after destroying (I)every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign (J)until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be (K)destroyed is death. 27 For (L)“God[a] has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When (M)all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that (N)God may be all in all.

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Corinthians 15:27 Greek he
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Christ has indeed been raised from the dead (2

-23).

Christ is the first fruits of the resurrection. As the first fruits foretell of more fruit to come, so Jesus’ resurrection guarantees the resurrection of all believers. We, the later fruits, will be raised with a new heavenly body exactly like the first fruit Jesus. For since death came through a man, so the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. As in Adam all die, so in Christ, all believers will be made alive! As forgiven sinners, we can joyfully and patiently wait to be raised like Jesus when he comes.

2. Jesus hands over the kingdom to God (24-28).

The Risen Christ has the power to subdue all God’s enemies under his feet. Death, the last enemy will also be put to death. Then Jesus himself will be made subject to God who put everything under his feet. Finally, God will be all in all.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for this sure hope to be raised following you, the first fruit. We render glory, honor, and power to our Father God who gave his one and only Son for our salvation from sin and death to live in His Kingdom forever.

One Word: In Jesus, all will be made alive!