1 Corinthians 15:20-23: “But the fact is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man death came, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at is coming.”

In 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, the Apostle Paul summarizes the concept that there are two different types of salvation from death available to mankind, each with its own time period, its own requirements, and its own level of reward. Either path to salvation, now or in the future, relies on the individual to understand and have faith in the sacrifice that God’s son, Jesus, made on behalf of mankind (1 Timothy 2:5-6). 

Jesus’ sacrifice of his perfect life balances a scale of God’s justice that was set out of balance when Adam and Eve, the first man and the first woman, chose to disobey God’s commandment (Genesis 3). Having been created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), mankind was intended to live in a condition of perfect human existence without sickness or death. Disobedience to God is also called sin, and because Adam and Eve’s sin carried the consequence of death, all of their descendants (meaning all of mankind down through the centuries through today) are still experiencing sickness and death. This concept is referred to by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:21, where he says, “for since by man came death” and again in 1 Corinthians 15:22, where he says, “for as in Adam all die.”

By staying obedient to God until his death (Philippians 2:8), Jesus earned the right to life which he willingly sacrificed as a balance or “ransom” for the perfect life willingly given up by Adam through disobedience. In doing so, Jesus “purchased” mankind, resetting the punishment cast on it. Instead of inheriting a death penalty from their ancestors Adam and Eve, each individual will be resurrected to human life. They will then be given an opportunity to come to an understanding of how to obey God, followed by a final test of obedience. This process is sometimes referred to “restitution,” as restitution means the return to some previous, usually better, condition that was lost. Those who pass this test will be granted everlasting life as a perfect human. The Apostle Paul refers to this concept in 1 Corinthians 15:21, where he says, “by man [Jesus] came the resurrection of the dead;” and again in verse 22 where he says, “so in Christ shall all be made alive.” 

However, before mankind begins to be resurrected from the dead and given the opportunity for restitution, individuals have the opportunity to respond to a call to the second type of salvation. Since Jesus’s death, mankind has the opportunity to follow Jesus’s example and devote their hearts and minds to God now, instead of in the future. Doing so requires a large amount of faith, since there is no physical evidence of resurrection now as there will be in the future (2 Corinthians 5:7). Jesus recognized that this path in life would be difficult and referred to it as “a narrow way” (Matthew 7:13). However, those who follow this path to God’s satisfaction will be granted a “higher” reward than restitution to perfect human life. These will be granted the same spiritual level of existence as the glorified Jesus himself, referred to as the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4, 1 John 3:2). 

This concept of two separate types of salvation is what the Apostle Paul refers to in 1 Corinthians 15:23, where he states, “every man in his own order.” First, those who successfully respond to God’s calling in the current age will be granted their heavenly reward, after which the remainder of mankind will be resurrected and given the opportunity for restitution to a condition of perfect human existence. 

The scriptures often use the term “Christ” to refer to the combination of the glorified Jesus and those who are granted a spiritual reward for obedience and faith (head and body for example, as in Colossians 1:18). Their spiritual reward will be granted before the more general resurrection of mankind begins. This leads the Apostle Paul to refer to this class, having received their spiritual reward, as “Christ the firstfruits” in Corinthians 15:23. Further, Paul completes verse 23 with the thought that “afterward [after Christ’s church class is complete and has received their heavenly reward] they that are Christ’s at his coming.” The word “coming” is more correctly translated as “presence,” and refers to the future time when mankind will be resurrected and given the opportunity for full restitution by coming back into harmony with God.

Additional Resource about first-fruits:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1285: “When Jesus Prayed, “Thy Kingdom Come, What Did He Mean?”
Digging into the deep, broad and scriptural meaning of God’s kingdom
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes