1Corinthians 15:20-22 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
‘Now is Christ risen from the dead’ Christ’s resurrection is a fact and the guarantee of the resurrection of all other people (15:20-22).
‘Firstfruits’ [Greek: aparche] firstfruits; the beginning of a thing. Here it simply means that Christ is the first to be resurrected from the dead to enter into immortality of body (15:51-54).
‘Slept’ is a term used for death (15:6, 18, 51; 11:30; John 11:11; 1Thess. 4:13-17; 2Pet. 3:4). It is not a soul-sleep, but a body-sleep. The body only dies at physical death, going back to dust (Jas. 2:26; Gen. 3:19). The soul and spirit are immortal (1Pet. 3:4).
‘By man came death’ – by Adam came physical death, which is a result of the eternal-death penalty of sin (15:22). This death passed upon all people (Rom. 5:12-21). The body only will be resurrected in the future resurrection of the dead (15:35-54; Dan. 12:2; John 5:28-29). The only time spiritual and eternal deaths can be canceled, resurrecting one from death in trespasses and sin is in this life (Eph. 2:1-9; 1Jn. 1:9). After death, comes the judgment without any chance to be saved, if one dies unsaved (Heb. 9:27).
‘By man came also the resurrection of the dead …’ this is the 12th New Testament prophecy in 1 Corinthians (15:21-28). By Jesus Christ, will come the physical resurrection of all people (15:22; John 5:25-29; 11:22-26; Rev. 1:18).
‘All be made alive’ – All will be made alive physically but not spiritually (Dan. 12:2; John 5:28-29; Rev. 20:4-6, 11-15). One must choose to repent and be made alive spiritually (John 3:16-20; 1Tim. 2:4; 2Pet. 3:9; Rev. 22:17), but all will be made alive physically regardless of repentance and surrender to God (John 5:28-29).
Living the Word 