Pentecost Season · Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Day Mass · Year C
1 Corinthians 15:20-27
The Resurrection of the Dead
August 15, 2028
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 15:20 Commentaries BibleHub
Collects classic commentaries on Christ as the firstfruits of the resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik
Walks through Paul's resurrection argument in plain language.
1 Corinthians 15 (Barnes' Notes) StudyLight
Gives Albert Barnes' verse-by-verse notes on the chapter.
1 Corinthians 15 (Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary) StudyLight
Gives the Catholic commentary tradition's reading of the same chapter.
1 Corinthians Commentaries & Sermons Precept Austin
Indexes further conservative expositors on this chapter.
Background & Word Study
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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