Verse of the Day for Friday, April 19, 2024

 

Verse of the Day
Friday, April 19, 2024

1 Corinthians 15:20-22

20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. 21 For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; 22 for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:20-22 is a profound passage written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth. This text is part of a larger discourse where Paul addresses the crucial Christian doctrine of resurrection. The Corinthian church, influenced by various cultural and philosophical backgrounds, had members questioning or misunderstanding the nature and importance of resurrection. In these verses, Paul offers a clear theological explanation to affirm the certainty of resurrection and its implications for Christian faith and hope.

Christ, the First Fruits (v. 20): Paul begins by affirmatively declaring the resurrection of Christ. The term "first fruits" is significant. It alludes to the Jewish harvest festival, where the first portion of the crop was offered to God, symbolizing the sanctification of the entire harvest. Similarly, Christ's resurrection is the 'first portion,' guaranteeing the future resurrection of all believers.

Death Through a Human, Resurrection Through a Human (v. 21): Paul makes a profound theological connection. Just as death entered the world through a human being, Adam, so the resurrection of the dead has been made possible through another human, Jesus Christ. This parallel establishes Christ as the antidote to the problem of sin and death introduced by Adam.

Universal Impact of Adam and Christ (v. 22): The apostle presents a universal scope of impact. "All die in Adam" reflects the theological concept of original sin, where Adam's disobedience leads to the fall of humanity into sin and death. Conversely, "all will be made alive in Christ" speaks of the redemptive work of Christ. This 'making alive' refers to spiritual resurrection now and the bodily resurrection in the future.

In summary, these verses encapsulate the core Christian belief in the resurrection. Paul illustrates the transformative power of Christ's resurrection as not only a historical event but as the pivotal point of Christian hope. It reassures believers of their future resurrection and eternal life in Christ, contrasting the despair brought by sin and death through Adam. This passage thus serves as a cornerstone for understanding Christian eschatology and soteriology.

The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Commentary by Kenny Sallee, ThM.
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