“And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.”
—Colossians 1:18

“But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
—1 Corinthians 15:20

Paul calls Jesus Christ “the firstborn from the dead”—but what does that mean? Weren’t others raised from the dead before Him, like Lazarus or the widow’s son?

Yes, but those resurrections were temporary. They were brought back to life in their mortal bodies—only to die again. Jesus Christ is the first to rise in glorified, incorruptible resurrection life, never to die again.

“But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
—1 Corinthians 15:20

In Israel’s calendar, the Feast of Firstfruits came just after Passover. A sheaf of the first ripe grain was offered to God as a symbol of the full harvest to come (Leviticus 23). Paul applies that imagery directly to Christ. His resurrection is the guarantee—the down payment—of a greater harvest: the resurrection of the Body of Christ.

“Each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.”
—1 Corinthians 15:23

This is future, bodily resurrection for believers, revealed first and foremost to Paul (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18, 1 Corinthians 15:51–52). And it’s tied directly to His identity as the head of the Body, the Church—not the King of Israel, not the Son of David on His throne (that will come), but the resurrected Lord of glory seated at the right hand of the Father (Colossians 3:1).

His resurrection didn’t just prove He was alive—it was the guarantee of a future harvest. And those who believe Paul’s gospel are already spiritually raised with Him (Ephesians 2:6) and will one day be raised bodily like Him (Philippians 3:20–21).

Bible Reading:

• Colossians 1:18
• 1 Corinthians 15:20
• Leviticus 23
• 1 Corinthians 15:23
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
• 1 Corinthians 15:51–52
• Colossians 3:1
• Ephesians 2:6
• Philippians 3:20–21