But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead came also through a human being. 22 For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life through the abundance of God’s grace:, 23 but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; 24 then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has destroyed every sovereignty 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 “he subjected everything under his feet.” But when it says that everything has been subjected, it is clear that it excludes the one who subjected everything to him. 28 When everything is subjected to him, then the Son himself will [also] be subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all.
Christ was the first to be raised by God from the dead and at his second coming all who belong to him will also be raised from the dead (vv. 20, 23; 1 Thess. 4:15-16). In the Bible, firstfruits refers to the first of the harvest that was consecrated to God (Ex. 23:19). Since it was through a human being, Adam, that death came to all, God willed the resurrection of the dead through a human being, Jesus the Christ (v. 21). Through Adam, sin and death entered the world (Rom. 5:12-14). Through Jesus mankind received the immeasurable gift of eternal life (Rom. 5:15-18).
After Jesus comes a second time and all the rulers, authorities and powers of this world are vanquished, death itself will be destroyed and Christ will raise all who belong to him (vv. 24-26). When all things are subjected to Christ, his reign as Messiah will end and the Kingdom of God will formally begin (vv. 27-28).
Almighty God, through your great love you have blessed us in
Christ with every spiritual blessing needed for our salvation. Grant us spiritual wisdom and understanding that
by faith, Christ may dwell in our hearts and we may live in a manner pleasing
to you. This we pray through Christ our
Lord. Amen!
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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