1 Corinthians 15:20 Meaning: The Firstfruits Promise
But now Christ has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruit of those who are asleep.
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep.
And now, Christ hath risen out of the dead--the first-fruits of those sleeping he became,
(But now Christ is raised from among [the] dead, first-fruits of those fallen asleep.
Meaning in one sentence
Paul calls Christ the 'firstfruits' of those who have died, showing His resurrection guarantees ours. Discover the hope this gives for life after death.
Context
Paul has spent the first half of 1 Corinthians 15 walking through a terrible possibility: what if Christ was not raised? He shows how that would leave faith empty, hope pointless, and those who have died lost forever. Then, in verse 20, the argument turns. The word 'but' is a hinge. Everything changes. Paul now states what he knows for certain: Christ has been raised. The rest of the chapter will show how this one fact reshapes everything, our grief, our suffering, our future. This verse is the turning point, the foundation for all that follows.
Key Words
The Greek word for 'firstfruits' is aparchē. In the Old Testament, the firstfruits were the first part of the harvest, offered to God as a pledge that the whole harvest belonged to Him and would follow. When Paul calls Christ the firstfruits of those who have died, he is saying that Christ's resurrection is the guarantee of a much larger harvest to come. His rising is not an isolated event. It is the beginning of something that will include everyone who belongs to Him.
The word for 'has been raised' is egēgertai, a perfect tense verb. It means Christ was raised at a point in the past and He remains raised. This is not a temporary victory. Death did not get a second chance. And the word for 'those who are asleep' is kekoimēmenōn, from koimaō, a gentle picture of rest. Paul does not say the dead have ceased to exist. He says they are sleeping, waiting for the morning.
How Christians Read This Verse
A common misunderstanding
Living This Out
This week, you might face a moment when death feels like the last word. A friend's diagnosis. A memory of someone you lost. Your own quiet fear of what comes next. This verse does not ask you to pretend those feelings are not real. It offers something solid to hold: Christ has been raised. Not 'will be' or 'might be', has been. And because He is the firstfruits, your story and the stories of those you love do not end in the ground. You can carry that certainty into the hard moments, not as a slogan, but as a quiet anchor.
Main takeaway: Christ's resurrection is the firstfruits, guaranteeing that all who belong to Him will also be raised to eternal life.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
When you see the first strawberry in the garden, you know more strawberries are coming. Jesus was the first one to rise from death and live forever. That means everyone who loves Jesus will also rise and live with Him.
For ages 9, 12
Paul calls Jesus the 'firstfruits.' In Bible times, farmers would bring the very first part of their harvest to God as a promise that the whole crop was coming. Jesus rising from the dead is God's promise to us: because Jesus is alive, everyone who trusts Him will also be raised. Death is not the end. It is more like falling asleep, and Jesus is the morning that always comes.
Questions People Ask
Why does Paul call Christ 'firstfruits' instead of just saying He was raised first?
Because 'firstfruits' is richer than just 'first in line.' In the Old Testament, the firstfruits offering was a pledge that the entire harvest belonged to God and would follow. Paul is saying Christ's resurrection is not just the first resurrection to eternal life, it is the guarantee that all His people will be raised the same way.
What does 'those who are asleep' mean in this verse?
It is a gentle way of referring to believers who have died. The Greek word koimaō means to fall asleep. Paul does not mean the soul is unconscious. He means that death, for a Christian, is not a permanent end. It is like going to sleep at night, knowing you will wake up. The resurrection is the waking.
Does this verse promise resurrection for everyone or only for believers?
The context shows Paul is speaking about those who are 'in Christ', believers. Verse 23 says 'those who are Christ's at his coming.' The firstfruits metaphor ties Christ to His people. The whole chapter focuses on the hope of those who belong to Him. Other passages teach a general resurrection, but that is not Paul's focus here.
How does Christ being firstfruits affect how we face death today?
It changes everything. If Christ is the firstfruits, your death and the deaths of those you love are not the end. They are a sleep before a waking. This gives real comfort in grief and real courage in the face of your own mortality. You are not hoping for a possibility. You are waiting for a certainty.
Why does Paul start verse 20 with 'But now' after all those 'if' statements?
Verses 12-19 explored the devastating consequences if Christ were not raised. Paul uses 'but now' to say: that is not the reality. Those were hypotheticals. The truth is Christ has been raised. It is a sigh of relief and a declaration of victory. The argument is over. The fact is settled.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study