Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 15:23
But each in his own turn: Christ the firstfruits; then at His coming, those who belong to Him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian church while defending the doctrine of bodily resurrection. He writes this verse in the middle of a systematic explanation following his statement that all die in Adam and live in Christ.
The words — ἀπαρχὴ (aparchē) denotes the first portion of a harvest offered to God, and τάγματι (tagmati) specifies a fixed order or division. The text places Christ in this initial position before the subsequent group.
The thread — The resurrection sequence connects to Isaiah 26:19, which prophesies the dead rising, and Galatians 3:29, which defines belonging to Christ as inheritance. The timeline concludes in 1 Corinthians 15:52, where the dead are raised at the last trumpet.
Why it lands — The verse establishes a fixed chronological sequence for resurrection that requires readers to identify their place within it. It demands acknowledgment that resurrection belongs to those who belong to Christ, triggered by His return.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 26:19 Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust! For your dew is like the dew of the morning, and the earth will bring forth her dead.
- Galatians 3:29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.
- 1 Corinthians 15:52 in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
- 1 Corinthians 15:20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:15 By the word of the Lord, we declare to you that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who have fallen asleep.
- 2 Corinthians 10:7 You are looking at outward appearances. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should remind himself that we belong to Christ just as much as he does.
- Galatians 5:24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:19 After all, who is our hope, our joy, our crown of boasting, if it is not you yourselves in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?
- 1 Corinthians 3:23 and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.