1 Corinthians 15:20

But now Christ has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruits of those who are asleep.

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

But now Christ has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruit of those who are asleep.

BSB

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

KJV

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

ASV

But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep.

BBE

But now Christ has truly come back from the dead, the first-fruits of those who are sleeping.

Original Greek

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Νυνὶ Nuni Now G3570 δὲ de however G1161 Χριστὸς Christos Christ G5547 ἐγήγερται egēgertai has been raised G1453 ἐκ ek out from G1537 νεκρῶν nekrōn [the] dead G3498 ἀπαρχὴ aparchē firstfruit G536 τῶν tōn of those G3588 κεκοιμημένων kekoimēmenōn having fallen asleep G2837 ἐγένετο.¶ egeneto he became G1096

The early church

"But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of them that are asleep." Having signified how great mischiefs are bred from not believing the resurrection, he takes up the discourse again, and says, "But now hath Christ been raised from the dead;" continually adding, "from the dead," so as to stop the mouths of the heretics. "The first-fruits of them that slept." But if their first-fruits, then themselves also, must needs rise again. Whereas if he were speaking of the resurrection from sins, and none is without sin;-for even Paul saith, "I know nothing against myself, yet am I not hereby justified;"-how shall there be any who rise again, according to you? Seest thou that his discourse was of bodies? And that he might make it worthy of credit, he continually brings forward Christ who rose again in the flesh. Next he also assigns a reason. For, as I said, when one asserts but does not state the reason, his discourse is not easily received by the multitude.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on 1 Corinthians

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 20–34

All that are by faith united to Christ, are by his resurrection assured of their own. As through the sin of the first Adam, all men became mortal, because all had from him the same sinful nature, so, through the resurrection of Christ, shall all who are made to partake of the Spirit, and the spiritual nature, revive, and live for ever. There will be an order in the resurrection. Christ himself has been the first-fruits; at his coming, his redeemed people will be raised before others; at the last the wicked will rise also. Then will be the end of this present state of things. Would we triumph in that solemn and important season, we must now submit to his rule, accept his salvation, and live to his glory. Then shall we rejoice in the completion of his undertaking, that God may receive the whole glory of our salvation, that we may for ever serve him, and enjoy his favour. What shall those do, who are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Perhaps baptism is used here in a figure, for afflictions, sufferings, and martyrdom, as Mt 20:22, 23. What is, or will become of those who have suffered many and great injuries, and have even lost their lives, for this doctrine of the resurrection, if the dead rise not at all? Whatever the meaning may be, doubtless the apostle's argument was understood by the Corinthians. And it is as plain to us that Christianity would be a foolish profession, if it proposed advantage to themselves by their faithfulness to God; and to have our fruit to holiness, that our end may be everlasting life. But we must not live like beasts, as we do not die like them. It must be ignorance of God that leads any to disbelieve the resurrection and future life. Those who own a God and a providence, and observe how unequal things are in the present life, how frequently the best men fare worst, cannot doubt as to an after-state, where every thing will be set to rights. Let us not be joined with ungodly men; but warn all around us, especially children and young persons, to shun them as a pestilence. Let us awake to righteousness, and not sin.

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Cross-references

7

People & places

Jesus

Topics

First Fruits

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.