1 Corinthians 15:25 Commentary: Christ Must Reign Until All Enemies Are Subdued

First Corinthians 15 is Paul’s extended demonstration that the resurrection of believers is certain because Christ has risen. Some in Corinth denied a future resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:12), likely influenced by Greek philosophy that saw the physical body as inferior. To counter this, Paul traces the logic of Christ’s victory. Verse 25 stands at the climax of a chain: Christ rose as firstfruits, then those who belong to him at his coming, then the end when he delivers the kingdom to the Father (vv. 23-24). But before that final delivery, Christ must reign.

The language draws directly from Psalm 110:1, the most frequently quoted Old Testament passage in the New Testament. In that psalm, David’s Lord is told to “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” Paul applies this to Jesus as the resurrected and exalted Messiah. The image of enemies placed under the feet reflects a common ancient Near Eastern gesture of total conquest: a victor would physically stand on the necks of defeated rulers (cf. Joshua 10:24). Death is personified as the last enemy (v. 26) because it holds believers’ bodies in the grave, appearing to resist Christ’s rule.

The phrase “he must reign” also addresses a pastoral concern. If Christ already reigns, why does death still seem to win? Calvin argues that Paul answers by showing the reign must continue until the full scope of victory is realized. For first-century readers facing persecution and loss, this offered assurance that their present sufferings did not contradict Christ’s authority. The temporal word “until” (ἄχρι) does not imply that Christ’s reign ends; rather, it marks the point at which all opposition has been removed, a necessary condition before the kingdom is handed over to the Father (v. 24). The historical context of the letter, combined with the Jewish expectation of a messianic age and the Greco-Roman denial of bodily resurrection, makes this verse a crucial move: resurrection proves that death itself has been defeated.

The supplied sources note no significant textual variants affecting the meaning of verse 25. Gill’s Exposition mentions that some manuscripts (the Alexandrian copy and the Syriac and Ethiopic versions) read “his enemies” (αὐτοῦ) rather than simply “enemies,” which is reflected in most English translations. This variant emphasizes Christ’s personal victory. The earliest and most reliable Greek manuscripts include the possessive pronoun, making the reading secure.

This verse has been central to Christian hope across traditions. Lange’s Commentary notes that it forms part of the burial service in nearly every Christian church, offering comfort regarding departed believers. Cyril of Jerusalem, as recorded in the Cambridge Bible, used the passage to argue that Christ’s reign does not stop after enemies are subdued, the word “until” does not imply a termination. Calvin took it as a source of patience for believers waiting for the full manifestation of Christ’s victory. In Reformed and Methodist traditions (Barnes, Wesley), the verse is consistently linked to Psalm 110:1 and the certainty of resurrection. The footstool imagery has been sung in hymns such as “Jesus Shall Reign,” echoing the mission to bring all nations under his rule.

Three-point outline

1. The divine necessity of Christ’s reign. “He must reign” (δεῖ) arises from God’s decree and prophetic promise, not from circumstances. Jesus is King by right, and his rule is the foundation for the hope of resurrection.
2. The scope of Christ’s conquest. All enemies, sin, Satan, and death itself, will be placed under his feet. No power remains outside his authority. The last enemy, death, is targeted specifically, connecting to the resurrection.
3. The purpose of the reign. Christ reigns so that every opposing force is subdued, leading to the moment when he delivers the kingdom to the Father (v. 24). The reign is not an end in itself but serves the ultimate goal: God all in all.

Five-point outline

1. Scriptural foundation. Paul anchors the claim in Psalm 110:1, which Jesus himself used to show that the Messiah is more than David’s son (Matthew 22:44). The reign is grounded in God’s word.
2. The meaning of “must.” The Greek δεῖ conveys moral and prophetic necessity. It is not optional for Christ to reign, it is part of the divine plan from the start.
3. The identity of the enemies. Spiritual powers, human opposition, and death itself are all in view. The comprehensive “all” (πάντας) leaves nothing outside Christ’s victory.
4. The ultimate enemy, death. Verse 26 specifies death as the last enemy destroyed. This ties directly to the resurrection argument: if Christ defeats death, then believers who die will be raised.
5. The hope for believers. Because Christ’s reign is certain and total, those who belong to him can face death with confidence. The reign guarantees the resurrection of the dead.

Illustration hooks

• A chess game. A master player can see the end from the beginning. Even when many pieces are still on the board, the opponent’s defeat is already inevitable. Christ’s reign is like that: death appears to be a strong piece, but the final checkmate is sure.
• A long-term medical treatment. A patient with a chronic illness must follow a regimen until the condition is fully healed. The treatment does not mean healing has failed; it is the process by which health is secured. Christ’s reign is the necessary process until death is “cured.”
• Construction of a building. The scaffolding remains in place until the building is complete. The reign of Christ is like scaffolding for God’s ultimate purpose, it will come down when the work is done, but until then it is essential.

Questions your congregation is asking

• If Christ is already reigning, why does the world still have so much evil and death?
• Does “until” mean Christ will stop reigning after the resurrection?
• How does this verse help me when I am grieving a loved one who died?

This verse is part of Paul’s great argument for the resurrection. He shows that Christ’s reign must continue until every enemy, including death, is subdued. The resurrection of believers is the final evidence that death has been defeated. As you discuss, consider how this shapes your confidence in God’s plan and your hope beyond the grave.

Discussion questions

1. Read 1 Corinthians 15:25 in its immediate context (vv. 24-28). What is the flow of Paul’s argument from “the end” in verse 24 to the reign in verse 25?
2. What does the word “must” (δεῖ) imply about Christ’s reign? Is it a prediction, a command, or something else? (See Barnes and Calvin on necessity.)
3. How does Psalm 110:1 shape the meaning of this verse? Why does Paul draw on that specific psalm?
4. The image of enemies “under his feet” comes from ancient victory practices. What does this tell you about the nature of Christ’s victory? Is it complete now, or still in progress?
5. Verse 26 says the last enemy is death. How does this connect to the main theme of the chapter, the resurrection of the dead?
6. Some worry that “until” means Christ’s reign will one day end. How do verses 27-28 address that concern? (See the Cambridge Bible’s reference to Cyril of Jerusalem.)
7. How does knowing that Christ must reign until death is destroyed affect the way you view your own mortality or the loss of a Christian loved one?