Interpretation of "Each in His Own Order" in 1 Corinthians 15
The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15:23, states, "But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming" (KJV) [1]. This verse is part of a larger discourse on the resurrection of the dead, a central theme in 1 Corinthians 15. Paul is addressing doubts and misunderstandings within the Corinthian church regarding the nature and certainty of the resurrection [2].
The immediate context of verse 23 is Paul's argument for the resurrection of believers, grounded in the resurrection of Christ. one tradition asserts that "as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" (1 Corinthians 15:22 KJV). Verse 23 then elaborates on the sequence of this making alive, emphasizing an "order" or "rank" [3].
The Greek word translated as "order" is tagma (τάγμα), which can refer to a military division or rank [3]. This suggests a structured, sequential arrangement rather than a chaotic or simultaneous event. Commentators like Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown interpret this as an image from troops, where "each in his own regiment" [3]. John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, clarifies that this "order" is not one of time for all saints (e.g., those from earlier ages rising first), nor of dignity (e.g., martyrs before preachers), nor of age or social status [2]. Instead, it refers to distinct groups in the resurrection sequence.
The verse outlines three distinct "orders" or stages in the resurrection, though the third is implied rather than explicitly stated in this specific verse:
- Christ the firstfruits: This refers to Jesus's resurrection as the initial and foundational event. He is the "firstfruits" (ἀπαρχή), signifying that His resurrection guarantees the future resurrection of those who belong to Him [1, 4]. Adam Clarke, a Methodist/Wesleyan commentator, notes that Christ "rose from the dead by his own power" [4].
- Afterward they that are Christ's at his coming: This second group comprises believers who belong to Christ. Their resurrection will occur "at his coming" (ἐν τῇ παρουσίᾳ αὐτοῦ), referring to the Second Advent [1, 4]. Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown suggest that this group includes "the godly who die in Christ," rising in a separate band from the ungodly [3]. Clarke also identifies this group as "all his apostles, martyrs, confessors, and faithful followers" [4]. Some interpretations suggest that this resurrection of Christ's followers precedes that of the "common dead" [4].
- Then cometh the end: While not explicitly stated in 1 Corinthians 15:23, the subsequent verse (1 Corinthians 15:24) introduces "the end" (τὸ τέλος), which is understood by many commentators as the final stage of resurrection, encompassing those who are not "Christ's" in the same way as the second group [4]. This implies a general resurrection of all the dead, including the unrighteous, after the resurrection of believers [3].
The phrase "every man in his own order" emphasizes that while all will be made alive, there is a divinely appointed sequence to these resurrections. It underscores the unique position of Christ as the pioneer of resurrection and distinguishes the resurrection of believers from a general resurrection that occurs later [3]. The passage functions to assure believers of their future resurrection, grounded in Christ's victory over death, and to clarify the stages of this eschatological event.
Sources
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Corinthians 15:23 — But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 15:22: But every man in his own order,.... Not of time, as if the saints that lived in the first age of the world should rise first, and then those of the next, and so on to the end of the world; nor of dignity, as that martyrs should rise first in the order of martyrs, and preachers of the word in the order of preachers, and private Christians in the order and rank of private Christians; or of age, as the elder first, and then the younger; or of state and condition, as married persons in the order of married persons, and virgins in the order of virgins; these are al”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 15:23: But every man in his own order--rather, "rank": the Greek is not in the abstract, but concrete: image from troops, "each in his own regiment." Though all shall rise again, let not any think all shall be saved; nay, each shall have his proper place, Christ first (Col 1:18), and after Him the godly who die in Christ (Th1 4:16), in a separate band from the ungodly, and then "the end," that is, the resurrection of the rest of the dead. Christian churches, ministers, and individuals seem about to be judged first "at His coming" (Mat. 25:1-30); then ”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 15:23: But every man in his own order - The apostle mentions three orders here: 1. Christ, who rose from the dead by his own power. 2. Them that are Christ's; all his apostles, martyrs, confessors, and faithful followers. 3. Then cometh the end, when the whole mass shall be raised. Whether this order be exactly what the apostle intends, I shall not assert. Of the first, Christ's own resurrection, there can be no question. The second, the resurrection of his followers, before that of the common dead, is thought by some very reasonable. "They had here a resurrection ”