1 Corinthians: Chapter 15 (verses 20

In 1 Corinthians 15:14–19, Paul addressed the implications of the denial of Christ’s resurrection, and concluded by stating: “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. … If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” Now in the next section of his discourse on the resurrection, Paul no longer uses the if approach and declares it as fact.

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 15:20).

Jesus was raised from the dead by God after His death on the cross. Paul refers to His resurrection as the “firstfruits” of the dead. Firstfruits is a term that was used for the first sheaf of the grain harvest, which was brought to the temple and offered to God to consecrate the harvest.

Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land that I give you and reap its harvest, you shall bring the sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest, and he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, so that you may be accepted (Leviticus 23:10–11).

When Christ was raised from the dead after His crucifixion, He was the firstfruit and forerunner of those who have died and will rise again in a resurrection body. His resurrection shows what is ahead for all believers in the future. “Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:51). “Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). As God raised Jesus back to life, He will raise all those who trust in Christ back to life when the time comes. Because Christ has risen, we too will rise.

For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive (1 Corinthians 15:21–22).

Paul uses Adam as an example. He was the first man, and because he sinned, death came into the world. By another man, Jesus, came life and resurrection of the dead. He made the way for all those who believe in Him to be forgiven for their sins.

Adam’s sin brought death into the world, and his death was the pattern for everyone else who would come after him. Because Adam died, every other human perishes. Likewise, Christ’s resurrection from the dead made it possible for those who are forgiven for their sins through faith in Him to be resurrected. Since Jesus was resurrected, those who are in Christ will also be “made alive” through their bodily resurrection from the grave.

But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ (1 Corinthians 15:23).

Paul describes the order in which believers are resurrected. He tells us that because Christ rose from the dead, there is a promise that all the saved will also arise. His resurrection was not an isolated event, rather it was the first fruit of the believers who will also rise from the dead.

At Christ’s second coming the dead in Christ will be resurrected just as He was after His crucifixion. His resurrection shows what is to come for all believers. It reassures us that while all face death, we can do so without fear, because as Christ was raised from the dead, so shall we be.

Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power (1 Corinthians 15:24).

Once all believers have been raised, history comes to its end. Time will give way to eternity. Jesus spoke of this day, which would be preceded by His second coming, in Matthew 24. “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).

The end will come when Christ will have completed His work and therefore will hand over the kingdom to the Father. He will have fulfilled God’s plan and destroyed all dominion, authority, and power (2 Peter 3:10–13). On this point, Bible scholar Leon Morris wrote,

After Christ returns, then the end will come. It will be time for the final judgment and the formation of the new creation. At this time, Christ will give over the kingdom to God the Father. … This handing over to the Father will occur only after Christ has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. Elsewhere Paul used this terminology to describe both human authority (Romans 13:1–3) and demonic powers (Ephesians 1:21). In this context he had in mind the destruction of all powers that are raised against the kingdom of Christ, whether human or supernatural.¹

This represents the final defeat of all opposition and emphasizes Christ’s victory. This verse also encourages believers to stay strong in their faith, knowing that although we may face struggles and difficulties, they are part of a divine plan that ends in victory.

For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet (1 Corinthians 15:25).

Christ’s reign will continue after the bodily resurrection of the believers until all enemies are defeated and under foot. This signifies the total authority of Jesus over every adversary. Putting His “enemies under his feet” expresses Christ’s victory and His final defeat of every enemy. All sin, struggle, and opposition will come to an end under His reign.

Paul looks to a future when death is destroyed, when death or fear of death no longer has any power over us. Our hope is in the promise of eternity with God. Such knowledge helps us overcome the fear of death, and delivers “all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery” (Hebrews 2:14–15). Christ’s victory over death gives us hope and assurance. While we all will face death, we have the promise of eternal life.

For “God 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 (1 Corinthians 15:27).

In stating that God has put everything under Christ’s feet, this means that the Son has authority over every created thing, including angels, rulers, natural forces, and demons. This subordination of all things to Christ results in the resurrection of all believers and the defeat and destruction of death itself. Paul adds one exception to the “all things” in subjection, which is God. God is the one who put everything under Christ, except Himself.

When 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 God may be all in all (1 Corinthians 15:28).

Once Christ has defeated all enemies, including death, and has brought all things under His authority, He will present Himself and His kingdom back to His Father “that God may be all in all.” “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen” (Romans 11:36). Jesus will be in eternal submission to the Father. Of course, Jesus is also equal with God as the Second Person of the Trinity. As the Father has absolute authority over all as the Creator, so Jesus has absolute authority as Creator. “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:15–16).

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? (1 Corinthians 15:29).

In this verse and verses 30–34, Paul uses logic to attempt to persuade the Corinthians that there will be an end-time resurrection of all Christians from the dead. His approach is to appeal to their own experiences and that of Paul and the apostles to pose the question as to why do these things if there is no resurrection?²

Paul starts by referring to what appears to be a practice among some in the Corinthian church. While various interpretations regarding the meaning of this verse have been put forth, the most apparent interpretation is that the Corinthians were practicing vicarious baptisms on behalf of those who had passed on.³ It seems that Paul may be referencing this practice to challenge the Corinthians about their beliefs regarding life after death—that is, if there is no resurrection of the dead, what meaning would such a practice have? There is no indication, however, that he endorsed this practice, and it is not practiced in the church today. As one Bible commentary noted, “The Bible gives no support to the idea that anyone can be saved apart from personal faith in Christ.”⁴

Paul moves on in this verse to appeal to the challenges faced and sacrifices made by himself and other apostles in proclaiming the gospel and building the early church. On this point, one commentator noted,

He [Paul] asked for some explanation for the fact that they endangered themselves every hour. Those who first bore the gospel of Christ did so at great personal risk. They were imprisoned, beaten, stoned, and murdered. … Paul's entire ministry involved daily danger and sacrifice. His personal loss was just as sure as the fact that he took glory or delight over the faithful Corinthian believers in Christ Jesus the Lord.⁵

Paul’s statement also indicates that facing danger is part of being a Christian. Living a life based on faith involves risk, sacrifice, and stepping out of our comfort zones. We must face challenges, stand firm, and believe in God’s promises. By emphasizing the phrase “every hour,” Paul makes the point that our walk with Christ is not a one-time event; it is a daily—an hourly—commitment to follow Him.

I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! (1 Corinthians 15:31).

In speaking about dying daily, Paul refers to the sacrifices he makes on a daily basis and the self-denial and forsaking of personal desires that he undergoes for the sake of following Christ. He points out the cost of his discipleship when he states, “I die every day.” Elsewhere he refers to the dangers he faced as he preached the gospel, as his life as a missionary was filled with difficulties. Five times he was beaten with thirty-nine lashes. Three times he was beaten with rods. Once he was stoned. He was shipwrecked three times. (See 2 Corinthians 11:24–25.)

What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (1 Corinthians 15:32).

Paul refers to his experiences in Ephesus, where he faced challenges and danger as he spread the gospel, to once again raise the question as to what meaning these would have without the resurrection. When he mentions fighting with wild beasts, he is likely referring to the trials and struggles he encountered, the false teaching he had to refute, and the intense persecution he faced as he worked to preach the gospel and build the local church. Paul makes the argument that the sacrifices involved in living for Christ cannot be justified without the hope of resurrection.⁶

Paul makes the point that if there is no hope beyond this life, the effort we put into living in a godly manner and the sacrifices we make to serve Christ are all in vain. If there is no resurrection, then we simply exist in a world filled with difficulties and suffering, and our only recourse would be to “eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” Thankfully, that is not the case. The resurrection is real. The promise of eternal life exists. “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Paul was concerned about false teachers who had come into the Corinthian church. He quoted a proverb from a Greek poet, “Bad company ruins good morals.” It is likely that this proverb was well known among the Corinthians. Paul makes the point that believers should be wise about who they associate with, and in this case, with people who deny the resurrection, an essential Christian doctrine, as this can turn people away from the truth.

Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame (1 Corinthians 15:34).

Paul then calls for the Corinthians to come to their senses. He is not saying that they have been drinking and are literally in a drunken state. Rather he is admonishing them to wake up and snap out of the “drunken stupor” of their soul and mind. Paul is strongly correcting them, saying they should be ashamed of themselves. He is admonishing them to stop sinning, to come to their senses and to have a right knowledge of God and understanding of the future resurrection of believers. In writing, “I say this to your shame,” Paul rebukes the Corinthians for failing to live in a manner which aligns with their knowledge of God.

But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?” You foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies (1 Corinthians 15:35–36).

Paul moves on to address objections and questions about the resurrection and the afterlife, which he has likely either heard or is anticipating. The questions he raised here are regarding how God will bring the dead back to life and what bodily form they will have. Paul strongly responds to the question. He has probably been asked questions about the raising of the dead and the kind of body they will have many times. He likely knows that they are not asking these questions in sincerity, and he calls the imaginary person posing these questions foolish.

Paul points out that seeds must die to bring new life, and what is planted does not grow unless the seed first dies. In the next section of this chapter, he will make the case that the resurrected body is somewhat like the body before death. Our earthly bodies will undergo change. Our present bodies are affected by aging, illness, and eventually death. Paul expresses that at the resurrection there will be a transformation. The new bodies we will receive will be incorruptible and will be free from decay (1 Corinthians 15:51–53).

¹ Leon Morris, 1 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary, Vol. 7, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (InterVarsity Press, 1985), 186.

² Alan F. Johnson, 1 Corinthians, The IVP New Testament Commentary Series (IVP Academic, 2004), 295.

³ Morris, 1 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary, 190.

⁴ Crossway, ESV Study Bible (Crossway Bibles, 2008).

⁵ Richard L. Pratt, Holman New Testament Commentary—1 & 2 Corinthians. Vol. 7 (B&H Publishing Group, 2000).

⁶ Pratt, Holman New Testament Commentary—1 & 2 Corinthians.

1 Corinthians: Chapter 15 (verses 20–36)