1 Corinthians 15:20–22

Context

1 Corinthians is a letter that Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, and chapter 15 as a whole deals with the resurrection. Some in the Corinthian church were saying "that there is no resurrection of the dead" (1 Corinthians 15:12). In verses 12–19, Paul works through a series of hypotheticals: if there is no resurrection, then Christ has not been raised and faith is in vain. The "But now" of verse 20 overturns these hypotheticals and marks the turn to the declaration that Christ has in fact been raised. The verses that follow, verses 23 and following, address the order of the resurrection and the end times.

"Them that slept" is a gentle expression for believers who have died. "Firstfruits" (Greek aparchē) derives from the Old Testament ordinance of offering the first portion of the harvest to God (Leviticus 23:10–11). Just as the firstfruits anticipate the harvest to follow, Christ's resurrection is understood to foreshadow and guarantee the resurrection of believers. Verses 21–22 set Adam against Christ, and the same contrast appears in Romans 5.

Interpretation

• The majority Protestant reading: This reading takes the "all" in the second half of verse 22 as equivalent to "they that are Christ's" in verse 23, referring to those united with Christ. It reads the verse as a contrast: just as all who belong to Adam are under death, so all who belong to Christ receive resurrection life.
• The reading linked to the doctrine of original sin: "In Adam all die" serves as a proof text in explaining the doctrines of the Fall and original sin (the effect of Adam's sin on the whole human race). The Reformed tradition explains this within the framework of covenant theology, in which Adam was appointed as the representative of humanity. The Wesleyan tradition likewise affirms original sin while also emphasizing prevenient grace, the grace given to a person before he or she believes.
• The view extending the passage to the resurrection of all people: Some interpreters hold that verse 22 speaks of a resurrection that includes both the righteous and the wicked (John 5:28–29). Even in this view, each person's destiny after the resurrection is understood to be decided at the Last Judgment.
• The universalist reading: Some cite this passage in support of universalism, the belief that all people will ultimately be saved. The major denominations in Korea reject this interpretation, countering that verse 23 limits the scope to "they that are Christ's" and pointing to other passages that speak of judgment.

Debates and Issues

The chief point of debate is whether the two occurrences of "all" in verse 22 have the same scope. The grammatical parallelism of the two expressions is offered as grounds for a universal interpretation, while the limitation imposed by the context is offered as grounds against it. Theological traditions also differ in how they explain the transmission of original sin, but Protestant denominations generally agree that this passage teaches that all humanity is under death. Because the verb in verse 22 is passive in Greek ("shall be made alive"), many commentators see it as emphasizing that resurrection is the work of God.

In the Korean Church

This passage is frequently read in Easter sermons and at funeral services. The phrase "the firstfruits of the resurrection" is commonly used in Easter sermons and prayers.

Related Passages

• 1 Corinthians 15:12–19
• 1 Corinthians 15:23–26
• Romans 5:12–21
• Leviticus 23:10–11
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13–14