Bible Study

In 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, But Christ has been raised as firstfruits; as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive in order. He must reign until all enemies are under His feet—the last enemy death—then the Son subjects all that God may be all in all Paul writes to saints in Corinth—and to us—so that the church would be united in Christ, holy in body and spirit, and built up in love. Listen to the text: “But now Christ has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruit of those who are asleep. For since death came by man, the resurrection of the dead also came by man. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ…”

Bodily resurrection is not optional garnish on faith; it is the gospel’s outcome and the church’s hope. Because Christ is raised as firstfruits, labor in the Lord is not in vain and death’s sting will not win.

Paul reminds them of the gospel he received and preached: Christ died, was buried, and was raised according to the Scriptures, with many witnesses. Denying resurrection collapses the faith; Christ the firstfruits guarantees our future body; death’s sting is defeated—therefore abound in the Lord’s work. This passage belongs in that movement: 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 is not an isolated saying but a step in Paul’s Spirit-given pastoral argument. Grace that washes and justifies also claims the body as a temple and sends the church to do all things for God’s glory.

A pastoral word for today: Anchor your grief and your work in the risen Christ. Abound in the Lord’s labor knowing it is not vain.

Hold together gift and call. In this letter, what God gives in Christ—wisdom, Spirit, hope of resurrection—creates what God asks: unity, holiness, and love. Grace is not soft permission; it is power that claims you for God’s glory.