Pentecost Season · Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Day Mass · Year B
1 Corinthians 15:20-27
The Resurrection of the Dead
August 15, 2027
Overview & Insights
“Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:20)
After solidly grounding the resurrection in the soil of history, Paul moves on to establish its theological significance. His theological argument moves through three stages. He begins with a theological restatement of his Scripture and eyewitness argument (15:12–18). From here he draws a direct connection between the resurrection of Christ and the resurrection of his followers (15:19–28), before concluding that this has significant ethical implications (15:29–34). Those rejecting the resurrection do not simply oppose Paul; they deny the cornerstone of the Christian message.
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Commentary
1 Corinthians 15: The Resurrection Chapter Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse by verse evangelical commentary on Christ the firstfruits and the reign that ends death.
1 Corinthians 15 Commentary Precept Austin
A deep gathering of quotations, word studies, and cross references worked verse by verse.
1 Corinthians 15:20 Commentaries BibleHub
Aggregates classic commentaries on Christ the firstfruits in one place.
Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 15 StudyLight
Albert Barnes' notes on the whole chapter of 1 Corinthians 15.
Solemnity of the Assumption: Readings Agape Bible Study
A Catholic reading study that opens Paul's teaching on Christ the firstfruits for the feast.
Background & Word Study
Enter the Bible: 1 Corinthians Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on the first letter to Corinth and its themes.
Book of 1 Corinthians Overview BibleProject
An animated overview of 1 Corinthians and Paul's argument for the resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:20 Greek Interlinear BibleHub
Greek word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers for Christ the firstfruits.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What does Paul say about Christ’s reign?
Christ, risen as the firstfruits, must reign until every enemy, last of all death, is destroyed; then he hands the kingdom to the Father, “that God may be all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:20–28). It crowns the feast of Christ the King.
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