1 Corinthians 15:22–26

Context

Paul addresses the resurrection in chapter 15 of 1 Corinthians because some in the Corinthian church were saying "that there is no resurrection of the dead" (1 Corinthians 15:12). Paul first affirms that Christ actually rose from the dead and calls him "the firstfruits of them that slept" (1 Corinthians 15:20–22). The term "firstfruits" comes from the Old Testament offering in which the first yield of the harvest was presented to God, and it carries the sense of guaranteeing the full harvest to follow. In this section Paul explains the order in which the resurrection takes place. The expression in verse 25, "till he hath put all enemies under his feet," is generally regarded as drawing on Psalm 110:1.

Interpretation

• The contrast between Adam and Christ: Verse 22 links Adam with the death of humanity and Christ with life. The Reformed tradition reads this as a framework of two "representatives": Adam's disobedience affects all humanity, while Christ's obedience extends to those who belong to him.
• The scope of "all": Most denominations base their reading on the phrase "they that are Christ's" in verse 23, that is, those who belong to Christ. On this reading, the "all" who are made alive are those who are in Christ. Universalists, who hold that all people will ultimately be saved, sometimes cite this passage in support of their view. The major Korean denominations generally do not accept the universalist interpretation.
• The order of the resurrection: Christ's resurrection comes first; next is the resurrection of believers at the Second Coming; and last comes the end, when Christ delivers up the kingdom to the Father.
• Death as an enemy: Verse 26 portrays death not as something natural but as an "enemy" that will be destroyed at the last.

Debates

• Relationship to the millennium: Premillennialists, including dispensationalists, see a time gap between "at his coming" in verse 23 and "Then cometh the end" in verse 24. They read that gap as the place for the thousand-year reign of Revelation 20:1–3. Amillennialists understand "he must reign" in verse 25 as the present reign of Christ, which has continued since the Ascension. On this reading, the end comes immediately after the Second Coming. For details, see the article Millennium.
• The Son delivering up the kingdom: Verse 24, together with verse 28, has raised the question of whether the Son is inferior to the Father. In the fourth century, Marcellus of Ancyra taught on the basis of this passage that Christ's kingdom would come to an end. The inclusion of the phrase "whose kingdom shall have no end" in the creed of 381, commonly called the Nicene Creed, is understood to have been a response to this teaching. Denominations that hold to Trinitarian faith explain the passage as meaning that the Son completes his work as Mediator and hands it over to the Father, not that the Son is inferior in essence.
• Archaic Korean terms: In the Korean Revised Version (Gaeyeok Hangeul), jeongsa ("rule") denotes governing power, and bulgabul is an archaic word meaning "must" or "necessarily." Commentators differ on whether "all rule and all authority and power" refers only to spiritual forces or also includes earthly powers.

In the Korean Church

1 Corinthians 15 is frequently read as a text for Easter sermons and funeral services. Verse 26, "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death," is cited when speaking of the hope of the resurrection in the face of death.

Related Passages

• Romans 5:18–19 — the contrast between Adam and Christ
• 1 Corinthians 15:51–52 — the last trumpet and the transformation of the body
• Isaiah 25:8 — swallowing up death in victory
• Revelation 20:7–15 — death cast into the lake of fire
• Hebrews 2:14–17 — destroying him that had the power of death