The argument advances here by connecting the believer with Christ. Christ was the firstfruits of the larger group of those whom God has chosen for salvation. This is the last mention of Christ"s resurrection in the argument, but all that follows rests on this fact. [source][source][source]
The Jews celebrated Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month on their sacred calendar. Jesus died on the day Jewish fathers slew the Passover lamb, which was a Friday that year. The Jews offered a sacrifice of firstfruits the day after the Sabbath (Saturday) following the Passover ( Leviticus 23:10-11), namely, Sunday. This was the day Jesus arose. Fifty days later on Pentecost they presented another offering of new grain that they also called an offering of firstfruits ( Leviticus 23:15-17). The firstfruits they offered following the Passover were only the first of the crops that they offered later. Paul saw in this comparison the fact that other believers would rise from the dead just as Jesus Christ did. He used the firstfruits metaphor to assert that the resurrection of believers is absolutely inevitable. God Himself has guaranteed it. [source][source][source]
The argument here goes to show, first, that our resurrection is intimately connected with Christ's. There must be such a thing, because he, as the representative of humanity, arose from the dead, in a human body which, though more ethereal in its texture, was easily recognizable by those who had known Him previously. Mary was recalled by the well-known intonations of her Master's voice. Thomas was compelled to believe, in spite of his protestations to the contrary. In fact, all of our Lord's friends were convinced against themselves. They credited the tidings of the risen Lord as idle tales. Therefore, says the Apostle, it is far easier to admit that man will rise than to face the difficulties of a still buried Christ, a vain faith, a vain gospel, and a false testimony from so many accredited witnesses.
What a burst of music breaks forth in 1 Corinthians 15:20-28! The first fruit sheaf is the forerunner and specimen of all the harvest. In Christ the whole Church was presented to God, and we may judge of the whole by Him. Note the divine order in 1 Corinthians 15:23 : first, Christ; then, His own; lastly, the end, when death itself shall be destroyed, all enemies conquered, and the kingdom of an emancipated universe finally handed back by the Mediator to the Father. [source]
Chapter Summary: 1 Corinthians 15
1By Christ's resurrection, 12he proves the necessity of our resurrection, 16against all such as deny the resurrection of the body 21The fruit, 35and the manner thereof; 51and of the resurrection of those who shall be found alive at the last day
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 15:20
But now [νυνι δε] Emphatic form of νυν nun with ι ̇i added (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:18). It is the logical triumph of Paul after the reductio ad impossibile (Findlay) of the preceding argument. [source]
The first-fruits [απαρχη] Old word from απαρχομαι aparchomai to offer firstlings or first-fruits. In lxx for first-fruits. In papyri for legacy-duty, entrance-fee, and also first-fruits as here. See also 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Corinthians 16:15; Romans 8:23, etc. Christ is “first-born from the dead” (Colossians 1:18). Others raised from the dead died again, but not so Jesus. That sleep (των κεκοιμημενων tōn kekoimēmenōn). Perfect middle participle as in Matthew 27:52 which see. Beautiful picture of death from which word (κοιμαομαι koimaomai) comes our χεμετερψ cemetery f0). [source]
That sleep [των κεκοιμημενων] Perfect middle participle as in Matthew 27:52 which see. Beautiful picture of death from which word (κοιμαομαι koimaomai) comes our χεμετερψ cemetery f0). [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 15:20
Matthew 27:52The tombs were opened [τα μνημεια ανεωιχτησαν] First aorist passive indicative (double augment). The splitting of the rocks by the earthquake and the opening of tombs can be due to the earthquake. But the raising of the bodies of the dead after the resurrection of Jesus which appeared to many in the holy city puzzles many today who admit the actual bodily resurrection of Jesus. Some would brand all these portents as legends since they appear in Matthew alone. Others would say that “after his resurrection” should read “after their resurrection,” but that would make it conflict with Paul‘s description of Christ as the first fruits of them that sleep (1 Corinthians 15:20). Some say that Jesus released these spirits after his descent into Hades. So it goes. We come back to miracles connected with the birth of Jesus, God‘s Son coming into the world. If we grant the possibility of such manifestations of God‘s power, there is little to disturb one here in the story of the death of God‘s Son. [source]
Colossians 1:18The first-born from the dead [πρωτότοκος ἐκ τῶν νεκρῶν] Defining how Christ is the beginning of the new spiritual life: by His resurrection. Compare 1 Corinthians 15:20,1 Corinthians 15:23, and Prince of life, Acts 3:15(note) See on Revelation 1:5, where the phrase is slightly different, “first-born of the dead.” He comes forth from among the dead as the first-born issues from the womb. Compare Acts 2:4, “having loosed the pains of death,” where the Greek is ὠδῖνας birth-throesThere is a parallelism between first-born of the creation and first-born from the dead as regards the relation of headship in which Christ stands to creation and to the Church alike; but the parallelism is not complete. “He is the first-born from the dead as having been Himself one of the dead. He is not the first-born of all creation as being himself created” (Dwight). [source]
2 Thessalonians 2:13Beloved of the Lord [ηγαπημενοι υπο κυριου] Perfect passive participle of αγαπαω agapaō with υπο hupo and the ablative as in 1 Thessalonians 1:4, only here κυριου kuriou instead of τεου theou the Lord Jesus rather than God the Father. Because that God chose you (οτι ειλατο υμας ο τεος hoti heilato humas ho theos). First aorist middle indicative of αιρεω haireō to take, old verb, but uncompounded only in N.T. here, Philemon 1:22; Hebrews 11:25, and here only in sense of choose, that being usually εχαιρεομαι exaireomai or προοριζω proorizō From the beginning Probably the correct text (Aleph D L) and not απαρχην aparchēn (first fruits, B G P), though here alone in Paul‘s writings and a hard reading, the eternal choice or purpose of God (1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 1:4; 2 Timothy 1:9), while απαρχην aparchēn is a favourite idea with Paul (1 Corinthians 15:20,1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Corinthians 16:15; Romans 8:23; Romans 11:16; Romans 16:5). Unto salvation (εις σωτηριαν eis sōtērian). The ultimate goal, final salvation. In sanctification of the Spirit Subjective genitive πνευματος pneumatos sanctification wrought by the Holy Spirit. And belief of the truth (και πιστει αλητειας kai pistei alētheias). Objective genitive αλητειας alētheias belief in the truth. [source]
2 Thessalonians 2:13From the beginning [απ αρχης] Probably the correct text (Aleph D L) and not απαρχην aparchēn (first fruits, B G P), though here alone in Paul‘s writings and a hard reading, the eternal choice or purpose of God (1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 1:4; 2 Timothy 1:9), while απαρχην aparchēn is a favourite idea with Paul (1 Corinthians 15:20,1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Corinthians 16:15; Romans 8:23; Romans 11:16; Romans 16:5). Unto salvation (εις σωτηριαν eis sōtērian). The ultimate goal, final salvation. In sanctification of the Spirit Subjective genitive πνευματος pneumatos sanctification wrought by the Holy Spirit. And belief of the truth (και πιστει αλητειας kai pistei alētheias). Objective genitive αλητειας alētheias belief in the truth. [source]
James 1:18A kind of first-fruits [ἀπαρχήν τινα] A kind of indicates the figurative nature of the term. Time figure is taken from the requirement of the Jewish law that the first-born of men and cattle, and the first growth of fruits and grain should be consecrated to the Lord. The point of the illustration is that Christians, like first-fruits, should be consecrated to God. The expression “first-fruits ” is common in the New Testament. See Romans 8:23; Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 15:20,1 Corinthians 15:23; Revelation 14:4. [source]
What do the individual words in 1 Corinthians 15:20 mean?
NowhoweverChristhas been raisedout from[the] deadfirstfruitof thosehaving fallen asleep
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 15:20
Emphatic form of νυν nun with ι ̇i added (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:18). It is the logical triumph of Paul after the reductio ad impossibile (Findlay) of the preceding argument. [source]
Old word from απαρχομαι aparchomai to offer firstlings or first-fruits. In lxx for first-fruits. In papyri for legacy-duty, entrance-fee, and also first-fruits as here. See also 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Corinthians 16:15; Romans 8:23, etc. Christ is “first-born from the dead” (Colossians 1:18). Others raised from the dead died again, but not so Jesus. That sleep (των κεκοιμημενων tōn kekoimēmenōn). Perfect middle participle as in Matthew 27:52 which see. Beautiful picture of death from which word (κοιμαομαι koimaomai) comes our χεμετερψ cemetery f0). [source]
Perfect middle participle as in Matthew 27:52 which see. Beautiful picture of death from which word (κοιμαομαι koimaomai) comes our χεμετερψ cemetery f0). [source]
See on James 1:18. Omit become. Compare Colossians 1:18, and see on Revelation 1:5. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 15:20
First aorist passive indicative (double augment). The splitting of the rocks by the earthquake and the opening of tombs can be due to the earthquake. But the raising of the bodies of the dead after the resurrection of Jesus which appeared to many in the holy city puzzles many today who admit the actual bodily resurrection of Jesus. Some would brand all these portents as legends since they appear in Matthew alone. Others would say that “after his resurrection” should read “after their resurrection,” but that would make it conflict with Paul‘s description of Christ as the first fruits of them that sleep (1 Corinthians 15:20). Some say that Jesus released these spirits after his descent into Hades. So it goes. We come back to miracles connected with the birth of Jesus, God‘s Son coming into the world. If we grant the possibility of such manifestations of God‘s power, there is little to disturb one here in the story of the death of God‘s Son. [source]
See note on 1 Corinthians 15:20, 1 Corinthians 15:23. The metaphor is from Numbers 15:19. The lxx has απαρχην πυραματος aparchēn phuramatos first of the dough as a heave offering. [source]
Koiné{[28928]}š form for second perfect indicative used as present of οραω horaō Parenthetic clause through rest of the verse. Stephanas is mentioned also in 1 Corinthians 1:16 and in 1 Corinthians 16:17. For απαρχη aparchē see note on 1 Corinthians 15:20, 1 Corinthians 15:23. [source]
Defining how Christ is the beginning of the new spiritual life: by His resurrection. Compare 1 Corinthians 15:20, 1 Corinthians 15:23, and Prince of life, Acts 3:15(note) See on Revelation 1:5, where the phrase is slightly different, “first-born of the dead.” He comes forth from among the dead as the first-born issues from the womb. Compare Acts 2:4, “having loosed the pains of death,” where the Greek is ὠδῖνας birth-throesThere is a parallelism between first-born of the creation and first-born from the dead as regards the relation of headship in which Christ stands to creation and to the Church alike; but the parallelism is not complete. “He is the first-born from the dead as having been Himself one of the dead. He is not the first-born of all creation as being himself created” (Dwight). [source]
Or, who are sleeping. See on Acts 7:60; see on 2 Peter 3:4, and comp. 1 Corinthians 7:39; 1 Corinthians 11:30; 1 Corinthians 15:6, 1 Corinthians 15:18, 1 Corinthians 15:20, 1 Corinthians 15:51; John 11:11, etc. The dead members of the Thessalonian church. [source]
Perfect passive participle of αγαπαω agapaō with υπο hupo and the ablative as in 1 Thessalonians 1:4, only here κυριου kuriou instead of τεου theou the Lord Jesus rather than God the Father. Because that God chose you (οτι ειλατο υμας ο τεος hoti heilato humas ho theos). First aorist middle indicative of αιρεω haireō to take, old verb, but uncompounded only in N.T. here, Philemon 1:22; Hebrews 11:25, and here only in sense of choose, that being usually εχαιρεομαι exaireomai or προοριζω proorizō From the beginning Probably the correct text (Aleph D L) and not απαρχην aparchēn (first fruits, B G P), though here alone in Paul‘s writings and a hard reading, the eternal choice or purpose of God (1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 1:4; 2 Timothy 1:9), while απαρχην aparchēn is a favourite idea with Paul (1 Corinthians 15:20, 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Corinthians 16:15; Romans 8:23; Romans 11:16; Romans 16:5). Unto salvation (εις σωτηριαν eis sōtērian). The ultimate goal, final salvation. In sanctification of the Spirit Subjective genitive πνευματος pneumatos sanctification wrought by the Holy Spirit. And belief of the truth (και πιστει αλητειας kai pistei alētheias). Objective genitive αλητειας alētheias belief in the truth. [source]
Probably the correct text (Aleph D L) and not απαρχην aparchēn (first fruits, B G P), though here alone in Paul‘s writings and a hard reading, the eternal choice or purpose of God (1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 1:4; 2 Timothy 1:9), while απαρχην aparchēn is a favourite idea with Paul (1 Corinthians 15:20, 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Corinthians 16:15; Romans 8:23; Romans 11:16; Romans 16:5). Unto salvation (εις σωτηριαν eis sōtērian). The ultimate goal, final salvation. In sanctification of the Spirit Subjective genitive πνευματος pneumatos sanctification wrought by the Holy Spirit. And belief of the truth (και πιστει αλητειας kai pistei alētheias). Objective genitive αλητειας alētheias belief in the truth. [source]
A kind of indicates the figurative nature of the term. Time figure is taken from the requirement of the Jewish law that the first-born of men and cattle, and the first growth of fruits and grain should be consecrated to the Lord. The point of the illustration is that Christians, like first-fruits, should be consecrated to God. The expression “first-fruits ” is common in the New Testament. See Romans 8:23; Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 15:20, 1 Corinthians 15:23; Revelation 14:4. [source]