The Meaning of 1 Corinthians 15:27 Explained

1 Corinthians 15:27

KJV: 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, which did put all things under him.

YLT: for all things He did put under his feet, and, when one may say that all things have been subjected, it is evident that He is excepted who did subject the all things to him,

Darby: For he has put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he says that all things are put in subjection, it is evident that it is except him who put all things in subjection to him.

ASV: For, He put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject all things unto him.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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,  which did put  all things  under  him. 

What does 1 Corinthians 15:27 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Paul saw Jesus Christ as the person who fulfilled the prophecy recorded in Psalm 8:7. [1] In the psalm the ruler in view is Prayer of Manasseh , but He will be the Man who regained for humanity all that Adam lost (cf. Psalm 110:1). Of course, God Himself will not be under the rule of the Son of God. He is the One who will finally bring all things into subjection to Christ.

Context Summary

1 Corinthians 15:12-28 - Christ's Resurrection Assures Ours
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

1  By Christ's resurrection,
12  he proves the necessity of our resurrection,
16  against all such as deny the resurrection of the body
21  The fruit,
35  and the manner thereof;
51  and of the resurrection of those who shall be found alive at the last day

Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 15:27

He put [υπεταχεν]
First aorist active of υποτασσω — hupotassō to subject. Supply God See Hebrews 2:5-9 for similar use. Cf. Psalm 8:1-9. [source]
But when he saith [οταν δε ειπηι]
Here Christ must be supplied as the subject if the reference is to his future and final triumph. The syntax more naturally calls for God as the subject as before. Either way makes sense. But there is no need to take ειπηι — eipēi (second aorist active subjunctive) as a futurum exactum, merely “whenever he shall say.” Are put in subjection (υποτετακται — hupotetaktai). Perfect passive indicative, state of completion, final triumph. It is evident that Supply εστιν — estin (is) before οτι — hoti He is excepted who did subject (εκτος του υποταχαντος — ektos tou hupotaxantos). “Except the one (God) who did subject (articular aorist active participle) the all things to him (Christ).” [source]
Are put in subjection [υποτετακται]
Perfect passive indicative, state of completion, final triumph. [source]
It is evident that [δηλον οτι]
Supply εστιν — estin (is) before οτι — hoti He is excepted who did subject (εκτος του υποταχαντος — ektos tou hupotaxantos). “Except the one (God) who did subject (articular aorist active participle) the all things to him (Christ).” [source]
He is excepted who did subject [εκτος του υποταχαντος]
“Except the one (God) who did subject (articular aorist active participle) the all things to him (Christ).” [source]
When He saith [ὅταν εἴπη]
God, speaking through the Psalmist (Psalm 8:6). Some, however, give a future force to the verb, and render but when He shall have said; i.e., when, at the end, God shall have said, “All things are put under Him. The subjection is accomplished.” See Rev., margin. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 15:27

Acts 26:22 The help that is from God [επικουριας της απο του τεου]
Old word from επικουρεω — epikoureō to aid, and that from επικουρος — epikouros ally, assister. Only here in N.T. God is Paul‘s ally. All of the plots of the Jews against Paul had failed so far. I stand (εστηκα — hestēka). Second perfect of ιστημι — histēmi to place, intransitive to stand. Picturesque word (Page) of Paul‘s stability and fidelity (cf. Philemon 4:1; Ephesians 6:13). Both to small and great Dative singular (rather than instrumental, taking μαρτυρουμενος — marturoumenos middle, not passive) and use of τε και — te kai links the two adjectives together in an inclusive way. These two adjectives in the singular (representative singular rather than plural) can apply to age (young and old) or to rank (Revelation 11:18) as is specially suitable here with Festus and Agrippa present. In Acts 8:10 (Hebrews 8:11) the phrase explains παντες — pantes (all). Saying nothing but what (ουδεν εκτος λεγων ων — ouden ektos legōn hōn). “Saying nothing outside of those things which.” The ablative relative ων — hōn is attracted into the case of the unexpressed antecedent τουτων — toutōn and so ablative after εκτος — ektos (adverbial preposition common in lxx, the papyri. In N.T. here and 1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Corinthians 15:27; 2 Corinthians 12:2.). Cf. Luke 16:29 about Moses and the prophets. [source]
Acts 26:22 Both to small and great [μικρωι τε και μεγαλωι]
Dative singular (rather than instrumental, taking μαρτυρουμενος — marturoumenos middle, not passive) and use of τε και — te kai links the two adjectives together in an inclusive way. These two adjectives in the singular (representative singular rather than plural) can apply to age (young and old) or to rank (Revelation 11:18) as is specially suitable here with Festus and Agrippa present. In Acts 8:10 (Hebrews 8:11) the phrase explains παντες — pantes (all). Saying nothing but what (ουδεν εκτος λεγων ων — ouden ektos legōn hōn). “Saying nothing outside of those things which.” The ablative relative ων — hōn is attracted into the case of the unexpressed antecedent τουτων — toutōn and so ablative after εκτος — ektos (adverbial preposition common in lxx, the papyri. In N.T. here and 1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Corinthians 15:27; 2 Corinthians 12:2.). Cf. Luke 16:29 about Moses and the prophets. [source]
Acts 26:22 Saying nothing but what [ουδεν εκτος λεγων ων]
“Saying nothing outside of those things which.” The ablative relative ων — hōn is attracted into the case of the unexpressed antecedent τουτων — toutōn and so ablative after εκτος — ektos (adverbial preposition common in lxx, the papyri. In N.T. here and 1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Corinthians 15:27; 2 Corinthians 12:2.). Cf. Luke 16:29 about Moses and the prophets. [source]
Ephesians 1:22 He put all things in subjection [παντα υπεταχεν]
First aorist active indicative of υποτασσω — hupotassō quoted from Psalm 8:7 as in 1 Corinthians 15:27. [source]
Revelation 11:15 Saying [λεγοντες]
Construction according to sense; λεγοντες — legontes masculine participle (not λεγουσαι — legousai), though πωναι — phōnai feminine. John understood what was said.Is become (εγενετο — egeneto). “Did become,” prophetic use of the aorist participle, already a fact. See εγενετο — egeneto in Luke 19:9.The kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ Repeat η βασιλεια — hē basileia from the preceding. God the Father is meant here by κυριου — kuriou (Lord), as αυτου — autou (his) shows. This is the certain and glorious outcome of the age-long struggle against Satan, who wields the kingdom of the world which he offered to Christ on the mountain for one act of worship. But Jesus scorned partnership with Satan in the rule of the world, and chose war, war up to the hilt and to the end. Now the climax has come with Christ as Conqueror of the kingdom of this world for his Father. This is the crowning lesson of the Apocalypse.He shall reign (βασιλευσει — basileusei). Future active of βασιλευω — basileuō God shall reign, but the rule of God and of Christ is one as the kingdom is one (1 Corinthians 15:27). Jesus is the Lord‘s Anointed (Luke 2:26; Luke 9:20). [source]
Revelation 11:15 The kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ [του κυριου ημων και του Χριστου αυτου]
Repeat η βασιλεια — hē basileia from the preceding. God the Father is meant here by κυριου — kuriou (Lord), as αυτου — autou (his) shows. This is the certain and glorious outcome of the age-long struggle against Satan, who wields the kingdom of the world which he offered to Christ on the mountain for one act of worship. But Jesus scorned partnership with Satan in the rule of the world, and chose war, war up to the hilt and to the end. Now the climax has come with Christ as Conqueror of the kingdom of this world for his Father. This is the crowning lesson of the Apocalypse.He shall reign (βασιλευσει — basileusei). Future active of βασιλευω — basileuō God shall reign, but the rule of God and of Christ is one as the kingdom is one (1 Corinthians 15:27). Jesus is the Lord‘s Anointed (Luke 2:26; Luke 9:20). [source]
Revelation 11:15 He shall reign [βασιλευσει]
Future active of βασιλευω — basileuō God shall reign, but the rule of God and of Christ is one as the kingdom is one (1 Corinthians 15:27). Jesus is the Lord‘s Anointed (Luke 2:26; Luke 9:20). [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Corinthians 15:27 mean?

All things for He has put in subjection under the feet of Him When however it may be said that all things have been put in subjection [it is] evident [is] excepted the [One] having put in subjection to Him -
Πάντα γὰρ Ὑπέταξεν ὑπὸ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ ὅταν δὲ εἴπῃ ὅτι πάντα ὑποτέτακται δῆλον ἐκτὸς τοῦ ὑποτάξαντος αὐτῷ τὰ

Πάντα  All  things 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.
Ὑπέταξεν  He  has  put  in  subjection 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ὑποτάσσω  
Sense: to arrange under, to subordinate.
ὑπὸ  under 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ὑπό  
Sense: by, under.
πόδας  feet 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: πούς  
Sense: a foot, both of men or beast.
αὐτοῦ  of  Him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
εἴπῃ  it  may  be  said 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: λέγω  
Sense: to speak, say.
ὅτι  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ὅτι  
Sense: that, because, since.
πάντα  all  things 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Neuter Plural
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.
ὑποτέτακται  have  been  put  in  subjection 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ὑποτάσσω  
Sense: to arrange under, to subordinate.
δῆλον  [it  is]  evident 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: δῆλος  
Sense: clear, evident, manifest.
ἐκτὸς  [is]  excepted 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐκτός  
Sense: outside, beyond.
τοῦ  the  [One] 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ὑποτάξαντος  having  put  in  subjection 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: ὑποτάσσω  
Sense: to arrange under, to subordinate.
αὐτῷ  to  Him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
τὰ  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.