But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.
1 Corinthians 15:20-23 NIV
Apparently, some within the church of Corinth were saying that the resurrection was a myth. That there was no resurrection of the dead. This was such an important issue that Paul spent more time correcting this error than he did anything else in his letter to them.
Paul’s argument started with the resurrection of Jesus. Their faith was futile if Jesus had not been raised from the dead. But, as this passage claims, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. Jesus was the first to rise from the dead. But, when he returns, then all who belong to him will also rise to life. Everyone will experience physical death. But, in Christ, we will live again and experience victory over death.
As Jesus experienced physical resurrection, we also will be resurrected into physical bodies. As Paul goes on to say in this chapter, we do not know just what our bodies will be like then. But they will be transformed into imperishable, glorious, powerful, and spiritual bodies, bearing the image of Christ. Thanks be to God, who gives us this great victory over death.
