1 Corinthians 15:20-28

The Resurrection, A Victory Over Death

McGarvey says, "On the morrow after the Sabbath of the Passover a sheaf of barley (the earliest grain to ripen) was waved as first-fruits before the Lord. (Leviticus 23:914.) The first-fruits had to be thus presented before the harvest could be begun, and its presentation was an earnest of the ingathering. Now on this very day after the Sabbath Christ was raised as the first-fruits from the dead, and became the earnest of the general resurrection." Jesus, like that wave offering of first-fruits, signifies a general harvest of all who are in the grave (1 Corinthians 15:20).

Physical death came for all men as a consequence of Adam's sin. There was nothing anyone else did to deserve the appointment with the first death. Similarly, all, both those who have done good and those who have done evil, will overcome the grave because Christ did. However, in this chapter, Paul only considered the resurrection of the righteous because of the flow of the argument. Elsewhere, we learn all will be raised on the same day (1 Corinthians 15:21-23; John 5:26-29; Matthew 13:36-43 only one harvest).

Death, and its authority, will be overcome at the resurrection. With the last authority, other than God, conquered, Jesus will then be free to turn his kingdom over to God (see also Matthew 15:13). Jesus must reign in his kingdom until all enemies are overcome. Daniel 2:44 clearly shows that his kingdom will overcome all other kingdoms (1 Corinthians 15:24-25).

Allen points out that Jesus will reign at God's right hand until the last enemy is destroyed (Acts 2:33-36; Acts 5:31; 1 Corinthians 1:25). The apostle stated death will be the last enemy conquered. That conquest will come when all the dead are raised. Christ was given authority by the Father. All but the One who gave it are subject to Jesus' power (1 Corinthians 15:26-27). In Ephesians 1:19-22, Paul spoke of God's mighty power "which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church" (see also Matthew 28:18; 1 Peter 3:22).

Jesus' stated purpose while he was on earth was to glorify God and do his will (John 4:34; John 6:38; John 7:16; John 8:29; John 12:44; John 12:39; John 14:24; John 17:8; John 17:21-23). That glorification will finally be complete when all enemies are at Christ's feet. Then, he will turn all over to God, the Father (1 Corinthians 15:28).