1 Corinthians 15 Devotional

Firstfruits of a Coming Harvest

“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”1 Corinthians 15:20 (BSB)

Paul begins 1 Corinthians 15 with the gospel at the heart of everything. Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose on the third day, as the Scriptures foretold. He then appeared to Cephas, the Twelve, more than five hundred at once, and finally to Paul himself (15:3-8). Some in Corinth denied that the dead will rise, so Paul shows what is at stake. If Christ has not been raised, their faith accomplishes nothing and their sins remain (15:17).

But Christ has been raised, the firstfruits, meaning the first portion of a harvest still to come (15:20). As death came through Adam, life comes through Christ, and death itself, the final enemy, will be destroyed (15:22, 26). Like a seed sown in the ground, our weak and decaying bodies will rise, never to decay again, glorious and strong (15:42-44). So Paul thanks God, who gives his people victory through Jesus Christ (15:57). Because the resurrection is real, nothing done for the Lord is wasted, including the ordinary work in front of you today.

To think about: What work for the Lord feels pointless to you right now, and how does the risen Christ change the way you see it?