SO THAT GOD MAY BE ALL IN ALL

Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:20-34

Key verse: 28

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)

29 Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? 30 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour?(S) 31 I face death every day(T)—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts(U) in Ephesus(V) with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised,

“Let us eat and drink,
    for tomorrow we die.”[b](W)

33 Do not be misled:(X) “Bad company corrupts good character.”[c](Y) 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God(Z)—I say this to your shame.(AA)

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Corinthians 15:27 Psalm 8:6
  2. 1 Corinthians 15:32 Isaiah 22:13
  3. 1 Corinthians 15:33 From the Greek poet Menander
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.

29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? 30 Why are we (O)in danger every hour? 31 I protest, brothers, by (P)my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, (Q)I die every day! 32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, (R)I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, (S)“Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33 (T)Do not be deceived: (U)“Bad company ruins good morals.”[b] 34 (V)Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For (W)some have no knowledge of God. (X)I say this to your shame.

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Corinthians 15:27 Greek he
  2. 1 Corinthians 15:33 Probably from Menander's comedy Thais
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, but he is only the firstfruits. Death came through the first man, Adam, and since then all men die. In the same way Christ is only the firstfruits of the resurrection. In Christ all will be made alive. Resurrection is not the end, however. Christ’s resurrection declares his reign over sin and death. Christ serves God’s purpose, to bring everything under God’s rule, so that God may be all in all. Resurrection hope is the hope of eternal restoration in God.

Living as if there is no resurrection is unbelief. It made the practices of the Corinthian church seem foolish. It made the sacrificial life of apostle Paul seem ridiculous. If death is the end, it would be better to live only for personal gratification. But there is resurrection. Unbelief in resurrection corrupts our character, and it is sin. Whenever we are tempted, we must come back to our senses. We must come back to hope in Christ, the risen one.

Prayer: Lord, thank you sending Christ as the firstfruits of the resurrection. Help me to grow in the eternal hope that he provides.

One Word: Christ the firstfruits is our hope