1 Corinthians 15:20

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

1 Corinthians 15:20 (KJV)

Context

The apostle Paul wrote 1 Corinthians to address issues in the church at Corinth, including confusion and doubt about the resurrection. In this chapter, Paul confronts the claim that there is no resurrection of the dead. He argues that if the dead are not raised, then Christ Himself is not risen, and faith is futile (1 Corinthians 15:13-19). Verse 20 marks the turning point: after considering the dire consequences of denying the resurrection, Paul declares the glorious certainty of Christ’s victory.

Meaning

“But now is Christ risen from the dead” stands in direct contrast to the hypotheticals Paul had just considered. The phrase “But now” signals a decisive shift from doubt to certainty. Paul affirms the resurrection of Jesus as an established, historical fact, confirmed by eyewitnesses (1 Corinthians 15:5-8). This is not a metaphor or a spiritual idea but a real event that changed everything.

The term “firstfruits” (Greek: aparchē) comes from the Old Testament practice of offering the first portion of the harvest to God (Leviticus 23:10-11). The firstfruits were not just the first in time but the guarantee that the full harvest would follow. In calling Christ the “firstfruits of them that slept,” Paul means that Jesus’ resurrection is the first and best portion of a greater harvest—the resurrection of all believers. “Them that slept” is a gentle way of referring to believers who have died in Christ. Their death is not final, because Christ’s resurrection secures theirs.

Biblical connections

Paul immediately explains the logic in the following verses: as death came through one man, Adam, so the resurrection comes through one man, Christ (1 Corinthians 15:21-22). Each will be raised in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then those who belong to Him at His coming (1 Corinthians 15:23). This connection shows that Christ’s resurrection is not an isolated event but the pattern and guarantee of the resurrection of all who are united to Him by faith.

Application

Meditating on this verse strengthens faith by grounding it in the historical reality of Christ’s resurrection. Because Christ rose, believers can face death with hope, knowing that their bodies will also be raised. This eternal perspective shapes how we live: we are called to prioritize spiritual matters, invest in God’s kingdom, and find comfort in the face of death. The resurrection is also a powerful message to share, for it demonstrates God’s love, redemption, and victory over sin and death. When we proclaim that Christ is risen, we offer hope and new life to those who have not yet experienced His transforming power.

Reflection

Christ’s resurrection is the foundation of Christian hope. Because He lives, we who are in Him will also live. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead will one day raise all who sleep in Him. This truth calls us to live with confidence, knowing that death is not the end but the doorway to the fullness of life in Christ.