1 Corinthians 15:20 Meaning and Explanation
“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →In fact Christ is risen, the firstfruits guaranteeing the harvest of all who have died in him.
What Does 1 Corinthians 15:20 Mean?
After a long line of grim 'ifs,' Paul breaks through with triumph: 'But now is Christ risen from the dead.' The denial is answered. Christ is the 'firstfruits' of those who have died, the first sheaf of a harvest that guarantees all the rest will follow.
The image comes from the offering of the first ripe grain, a pledge that the full harvest is coming. Christ's resurrection is not a lonely miracle but the beginning of the great ingathering. Because he rose, those who sleep in him will rise too. For the reader, this single verse turns despair to hope. The empty tomb is the promise of our own.
1 Corinthians 15:20 in the Original Language
aparche (ἀπαρχή), 'firstfruits' -- the first portion of a harvest, a pledge that the rest will follow.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 15:20
What does 1 Corinthians 15:20 mean?
In fact Christ is risen, the firstfruits guaranteeing the harvest of all who have died in him.