Episode 218 - "The resurrection of Christ reveals his authority" - 1 Corinthians 15:20-28

1 Cor. 15:20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.

In our last episode, Paul attacks the idea some people have spread that there is no resurrection from the dead. Paul’s argument against that is if that were true, then Christ wasn’t really raised from the dead. It followed then that if Christ wasn’t raised from the dead, surely neither would anyone else. But then why would Paul be willing to suffer the persecution he had if he himself didn’t believe that Christ was raised from the dead? Furthermore, Paul encouraged the Corinthians to go and talk to the many witnesses of the resurrected Lord and figure out how to explain away their testimony.

In verse 20, Paul just moves on and states that “in fact Christ has been raised from the dead.” (v. 20) Now, he begins to explain the significance of that fact. In verses 21-22, he compares and contrasts Adam and Christ. Adam was the first man, and through his disobedience to God, all humanity is broken since we have all descended from this one man. The point is to consider the catastrophic effect of that one man’s disobedience. But if one man can have that kind of negative effect, it’s possible that one man can also have a similarly far-reaching positive effect. That man is Jesus Christ, whose substitutionary death on the cross makes it possible for all humanity to appropriate forgiveness of their sins and to be “made alive” (v.22) because Christ conquered death.

Paul then explains things that are yet to come and the significance of Christ’s resurrection for what is still to happen in God’s plan. Paul speaks of Christ as “the firstfruits.” This is a metaphor alluding back to when Israel would bring the firstfruits of their harvest as an offering. It demonstrated their thankfulness and faith that this was simply the first of much to come. Likewise, Christ’s resurrection is a “firstfruit” in that many are to also experience a resurrection because of their relationship to Christ through faith.

What follows is the resurrection of those who belong to Christ. (v.23) Verse 24 follows with, “Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.” Bible scholars like to squabble over whether this order allows or disallows the literal 1000-year millennial reign, which is a point of contention within Christianity. I don’t think that is of concern in this context of Paul’s writing. The point of this order is that Christ rose from the dead, revealing he has the authority to also raise those who belong to him and to conquer everything in opposition to God’s will.

Verse 26 states plainly, “The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” (v.26). We believe that Christ is currently at the right hand of the Father. He has authority. However, death is still occurring. Why? I believe that’s explained well by Peter in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” Therefore, we are not yet at that end. But at some point, Christ will return, and ultimately, all spiritual and natural forces opposed to God will be judged and have no power again. Death will be permanently done away with.

Verses 27 and 28 state three things that are interesting. First, God has subjected all things under his (Christ’s) feet. Second, Christ will be subjected to God. Finally, Christ, the Son, will be subjected to God “so that God may be all in all.” (v. 28b) The first one is not a problem, right? Christians believe Christ is God, and Jesus told his disciples, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matt. 28:18). But how is it that he is ultimately subjected to the Father? Does this mean that somehow Jesus is less God or less important than the Father? No. Jesus is never subordinated in the sense of his value or power. While earthly analogies are often limited and potentially misleading, think of a parent who entrusts something to a child for a specific purpose. The child possesses and uses something that essentially belongs to them by virtue of their relationship to their parent. Both the parent and the child are equally valuable and part of the same family. But their roles are different. The child may be sent to accomplish something on behalf of the parent. That child is given everything they need to accomplish that purpose. Likewise, this text simply says that Jesus (the Son) has accomplished the mission his Father sent him to do. The purpose statement “so that God may be all in all” is just a way of expressing both the divine unity within the Godhead and that everything, without exception, is under God’s authority.