Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 15:20

What does 1 Corinthians 15:20 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 15:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 15:20 means

Paul breaks in with triumphant fact: Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the “firstfruits” of those who have fallen asleep—the initial sheaf offered to God that signals the full harvest to come. Christ’s resurrection is not an isolated miracle; it is the beginning of the general resurrection of believers. The metaphor assures us of continuity and certainty: what happened to Him will happen to those who are His. Death’s seeming finality is undone, not by mere optimism but by a completed event. The risen Christ stands as the pledge that those who sleep in Him will awaken in glory.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But now Christ has truly come back from the dead, the first-fruits of those who are sleeping.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And now, Christ hath risen out of the dead--the first-fruits of those sleeping he became,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But now Christ is risen from the dead, the firstfruits of them that sleep:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

(But now Christ is raised from among [the] dead, first-fruits of those fallen asleep.

Context

Having shown the despair that follows if there is no resurrection (vv. 13–19), Paul now asserts the opposite: Christ is risen (v. 20). This shift propels a new section (vv. 20–28) explaining the order and scope of resurrection, tying it to Adam’s fall and Christ’s reign. The “firstfruits” image sets the tone for an ordered sequence: Christ first, then His people at His coming, and finally the end when all enemies are subdued. The context changes from hypothetical consequences to positive, redemptive plan.

v.19If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable.

v.20This passage

v.21For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Colossians 1:18

    And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

  • Revelation 1:5

    and from Jesus Christ, who isthe faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loveth us, and loosed us from our sins by his blood;

  • Romans 8:11

    But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

  • 1 Peter 1:3

    Blessedbethe God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

  • Acts 26:23

    how that the Christ must suffer, and how that he first by the resurrection of the dead should proclaim light both to the people and to the Gentiles.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:6

    then he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain until now, but some are fallen asleep;

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