The Order of Resurrection
But Christ has in fact been raised, Paul says, as the firstfruits of those who have died. As death came through one man, resurrection life comes through one man, and Christ's people will be raised in their order at his coming, after which the end will come as every hostile power is subdued and the last enemy, death, is destroyed so that God may be all in all.
B20ut Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23But each in his own turn: Christ the firstfruits; then at His coming, those who belong to Him. 24Then the end will come, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father after He has destroyed all dominion, authority, and power. 25For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27For “God has put everything under His feet.” Now when it says that everything has been put under Him, this clearly does not include the One who put everything under Him. 28And when all things have been subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will be made subject to Him who put all things under Him, so that God may be all in all.
Verse 20But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have died.
It turns the chapter from denial to affirming fact.
Verse 21Since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man.
It introduces the Adam-Christ parallel.
Verse 22For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
It states the great contrast in representative terms.
Verse 23But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to him.
It gives the resurrection its proper sequence.
Verse 24Then comes the end, when Christ hands over the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule, authority, and power.
It places resurrection inside the larger completion of Christ's reign.
Verse 25For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
It states the necessity of Christ's reigning conquest.
Verse 26The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
It names the final enemy within that conquest.
Verse 27For God has put all things under his feet, Paul says, though clearly not the one who subjected all things to him.
It clarifies the language of universal subjection.
Verse 28When all things are subjected to Christ, then the Son himself will be subjected to the one who subjected all things to him, so that God may be all in all.
It closes the reign sequence in final divine fullness.
Paul then points to practices and sufferings that become senseless if the dead are not raised, including baptism for the dead and his own constant exposure to danger and death. Because resurrection is true, they must not be deceived by corrupting company, but wake up, stop sinning, and recognize that some among them are ignorant of God.
29If these things are not so, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? 30And why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31I face death every day, brothers, as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for human motives, what did I gain? If the dead are not raised, 33Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 34Sober up as you ought, and stop sinning; for some of you are ignorant of God. I say this to your shame.
Verse 29Otherwise, Paul asks, what will those do who are baptized for the dead if the dead are not raised at all.
It introduces a puzzling practice as one more witness to resurrection's necessity.
Verse 30And why, Paul asks, are they in danger every hour.
It moves from practice to apostolic risk.
Verse 31He says he dies every day, as surely as he boasts about them in Christ Jesus.
It intensifies the reality of his daily exposure.
Verse 32If his struggle in Ephesus were merely for human reasons, Paul asks, what gain would there be; if the dead are not raised, then one might as well eat and drink for tomorrow death comes.
It contrasts resurrection hope with empty hedonism.
Verse 33Do not be deceived, Paul says: bad company corrupts good character.
It warns that false company is morally corrosive.
Verse 34Wake up rightly, stop sinning, Paul says, for some have no knowledge of God, and he says this to their shame.
It closes the section by turning doctrine into moral awakening.
A quiet block diagram: each row is one authored paragraph movement, with verse numbers kept visible for scanning and deeper work.
- vv. 20-28
But Christ has in fact been raised, Paul says, as the firstfruits of those who have died. As death came through one man, resurrection life comes through one man, and Christ's people will be raised in their order at his coming, after which the end will come as every hostile power is subdued and the last enemy, death, is destroyed so that God may be all in all.
The paragraph establishes the ordered movement of resurrection under Christ's reign. - vv. 29-34
Paul then points to practices and sufferings that become senseless if the dead are not raised, including baptism for the dead and his own constant exposure to danger and death. Because resurrection is true, they must not be deceived by corrupting company, but wake up, stop sinning, and recognize that some among them are ignorant of God.
The paragraph presses resurrection back into lived consequence and moral seriousness.