1 Corinthians 15:20
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's easy to skim over "firstfruits," but Paul's choice of this word is huge! It doesn't just mean Jesus was the first to rise, but that His resurrection is the guarantee and beginning of our own future resurrection, assuring us that what happened to Him will eventually happen to all who belong to Him. This wasn't a fluke; it was the planned, powerful start to God's restoration of His people.
Paul is addressing a serious heresy in Corinth: some believers were denying the resurrection of the dead. He's building his case, showing that if Christ wasn't raised, then their faith is useless, their preaching is false, and those who died in Christ are utterly lost. This verse is the turning point, asserting Christ's resurrection as the undeniable foundation and proof for our own future hope.
The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith. Paul doesn't present it as a hopeful wish, but as a historical, undeniable event.
The Undisputed Reality
Paul begins this chapter by reminding the Corinthians of the core message they received: the gospel.
He emphasizes that if they are to believe anything about salvation and the future, they must first accept the resurrection of Christ as a fact. It's not a myth or a metaphor, but a historical event that changes everything.
This foundational truth is what separates Christianity from all other philosophies and religions. Without the resurrection, our faith is baseless.
The image of 'firstfruits' is rich with meaning, assuring us that Christ's resurrection is not an isolated event, but the guarantee of our own.
The Promise in the Harvest
The term 'firstfruits' comes from ancient agricultural practices. When the first part of the harvest was ripe, it was offered to God as a sacred offering. This act did two things:
Paul uses this powerful imagery to show that Jesus, as the 'firstfruits,' is the beginning of God's new creation. His resurrection is the proof and the guarantee that all who belong to Him will also be raised to life.
Understand the original words
aparchē · Greek Noun
An agricultural term referring to the first portion of the harvest given to God as a pledge or guarantee that the full harvest will follow. Theologically, it identifies Christ’s resurrection as the prototype and assurance that all believers will eventually be raised in like manner.
The resurrection of Jesus, the central event, provides the absolute assurance and the pattern for the future resurrection of believers, directly addressing any doubts within the Corinthian church about the hope of eternal life.
c. 30 AD
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth is crucified under the Roman governor Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Resurrection of Jesus
According to Christian belief, Jesus is raised from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion.
c. 30 AD
Post-Resurrection Appearances
Jesus appears to his disciples and many others over a period of 40 days, confirming his resurrection.
c. 30 AD
Ascension of Jesus
Jesus ascends into heaven, as witnessed by his disciples.
c. 40s-50s AD
Paul's Missionary Journeys
This passage echoes 1 Corinthians 15:20 by declaring Jesus was 'descended from David according to the flesh and consecrated as the Son of God in power by the resurrection from the dead.' It highlights His resurrection as proof of His divine identity and authority.
Colossians 1:18This verse calls Christ 'the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be foremost.' This reinforces the idea of Christ as the 'firstfruits,' the pioneering one who leads the way in the resurrection of believers.
1 Peter 1:3Here, believers are described as having been 'born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.' This shows how Christ's resurrection, as the 'firstfruits,' is the basis for the new spiritual life and future hope of all who believe in Him.
Leviticus 23:10-11This Old Testament passage describes the 'firstfruits' offering of the barley harvest, presented to God before the rest of the crop could be eaten. This ritual illustrates the concept of Christ's resurrection as the initial, sacred portion that guarantees the future harvest of believers.
It's easy to skim over "firstfruits," but Paul's choice of this word is huge! It doesn't just mean Jesus was the first to rise, but that His resurrection is the guarantee and beginning of our own future resurrection, assuring us that what happened to Him will eventually happen to all who belong to Him. This wasn't a fluke; it was the planned, powerful start to God's restoration of His people.
Paul is addressing a serious heresy in Corinth: some believers were denying the resurrection of the dead. He's building his case, showing that if Christ wasn't raised, then their faith is useless, their preaching is false, and those who died in Christ are utterly lost. This verse is the turning point, asserting Christ's resurrection as the undeniable foundation and proof for our own future hope.
Paul is addressing a serious heresy in Corinth: some believers were denying the resurrection of the dead. He's building his case, showing that if Christ wasn't raised, then their faith is useless, their preaching is false, and those who died in Christ are utterly lost. This verse is the turning point, asserting Christ's resurrection as the undeniable foundation and proof for our own future hope.
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Apostle Paul travels extensively, founding churches and spreading the Christian message, including his teachings on the resurrection.
c. 53-55 AD
Writing of 1 Corinthians
Paul writes his first letter to the church in Corinth, addressing various issues including disputes and theological questions, such as the resurrection of believers.
"But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." — It's easy to skim over "firstfruits," but Paul's choice of this word is huge! It doesn't just mean Jesus was the first to rise, but that His resurrection is the guarantee and beginning of our own…
