1 Corinthians 15:20-28

1 Corinthians 15:20-28

[20] But  now  Christ  risen  from  the dead,  the firstfruits  of them that slept.  [21] For  since  by  man  came death,  by  man  came also  the resurrection  of the dead.  [22] For  as  in  Adam  all  die,  even  so  in  Christ  all  be made alive.  [23] But  every man  in  his own  order:  Christ  the firstfruits;  afterward  they that are  Christ's  at  his  coming.  [24] Then  cometh the end,  when  he shall have delivered up  the kingdom  to God,  even  the Father;  when  he shall have put down  all  rule  and  all  authority  and  power.  [25] For  he  must  reign,  till  all  enemies  under  his  feet.  [26] The last  enemy  that shall be destroyed  is death.  [27] For  he hath put  all things  under  his  feet.  But  when  he saith  all things  are put under  him, it is manifest  that  he is excepted,  all things  under  him.  [28] And  when  all things  shall be subdued  unto him,  then  the Son  also  himself  be subject  all things  under  him,  that  God  all  in  all. 

What does 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Paul turned next to show that the resurrection of Christ makes the resurrection of believers both necessary and inevitable. The consequences of this fact are as glorious as the effects of His not being raised are dismal. Those "in Christ" must arise since Christ arose. His resurrection was in the past, but ours will be in the future. Christ"s resurrection set in motion the defeat of all God"s enemies including death. His resurrection demands our resurrection since otherwise death would remain undefeated.