1 Corinthians 15:20

¶ But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of them that slept.

But {G1161} now {G3570} is {G1453} Christ {G5547} risen {G1453} from {G1537} the dead {G3498}, and become {G1096} the firstfruits {G536} of them that slept {G2837}.

But the fact is that the Messiah has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have died.

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep.

1 Corinthians 15:20 stands as a foundational declaration within the Apostle Paul's extensive argument for the resurrection of the dead. After systematically dismantling the idea that there is no resurrection (verses 12-19), Paul pivots to a triumphant affirmation: "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept."

Context

This verse is the turning point in 1 Corinthians chapter 15, often called the "resurrection chapter." Paul addresses a significant theological challenge in the Corinthian church: some members were denying the future resurrection of believers. Paul argues that if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ Himself has not been raised, rendering the Christian faith futile and those who preach it false (1 Corinthians 15:14). Verse 20 provides the powerful counter-argument, asserting the historical reality of Christ's resurrection as the cornerstone of Christian hope and the guarantee of our own future resurrection.

Key Themes

  • The Reality of Christ's Resurrection: This is not a hypothetical statement but a definitive fact. Christ's resurrection is presented as an undeniable historical event, crucial for the validity of the Gospel and the salvation it offers. It signifies God's vindication of Christ and His victory over sin and death.
  • Christ as the "Firstfruits": The term "firstfruits" (Greek: aparche) carries significant Old Testament agricultural meaning. It refers to the initial, best portion of a harvest offered to God as a pledge and promise of the entire harvest to come. In this context, Christ's resurrection is the "firstfruits" of a much larger spiritual harvest – the resurrection of all who belong to Him. His resurrection guarantees the future bodily resurrection of all believers (1 Thessalonians 4:14).
  • Victory Over Death: The phrase "them that slept" is a common biblical euphemism for the dead. It suggests a temporary state, not an eternal cessation of being. Christ's resurrection transforms death from a final end into a temporary sleep, from which believers will awaken to new life. This concept brings immense comfort and hope to those who grieve.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "firstfruits," aparche (ἀπαρχή), is vital. It highlights Christ's resurrection not as an isolated event, but as the initial act that inaugurates and guarantees the resurrection of all believers. It's a down payment, a prototype, and a guarantee. The term "slept" (κεκοιμημένων, kekoimēmenōn), derived from the Greek verb koimaō, emphasizes the peaceful, temporary nature of death for those in Christ, awaiting their resurrection.

Practical Application

For believers, 1 Corinthians 15:20 offers profound comfort and assurance. It affirms that:

  1. Our faith is not in vain; it is grounded in the historical and transformative event of Christ's resurrection.
  2. Death is not the end for those who trust in Christ. Just as Christ rose, so too will His followers be raised to new, eternal life. This gives us hope in the face of loss and mortality.
  3. The resurrection of Christ empowers us to live a life of purpose and hope, knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). It underscores the reality of eternal life and the ultimate victory of God's plan.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:23

    But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

  • Acts 26:23

    That Christ should suffer, [and] that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

  • Revelation 1:5

    And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

  • 1 Peter 1:3

    ¶ Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

  • Colossians 1:18

    And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence.

  • Romans 8:11

    But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:6

    After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

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