In 1 Corinthians 15:23–28 Paul gives a brief chronology of the last days. The first event in this chronology is the resurrection of Christ, whom Paul again calls the firstfruits
(see comments under 1 Corinthians 15:20).
The second event is Christ’s coming.
Paul uses the Greek word parousia (literally: presence
), which in ancient times often referred to a royal visit (for example, that of a king to a city). Christ the king will come to claim the world as his own. Then those who belong to him will be raised.
From other places in the Bible we know that unbelievers will also be raised on the last day. They will enter hell with body and soul (Matthew 10:28; John 5:28–29). The focus of our present chapter, however, is the believer’s hope of a resurrection. In this chapter, wherever Paul refers to the resurrection on the last day, he is referring to the resurrection of those who belong to Christ.
23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.