Summary

The third event in Paul’s chronology is the end. In the original text there is no verb, but only a brief clause: then the end… Paul is not suggesting that there will be an interval of time between the resurrection of believers and the event described here. The words then the end point to the final fulfillment of Christ’s redemptive work, on the day of his return.

Upon his ascension Christ received the position at his Father’s right hand. From there he rules as king over all creation (Psalm 110:1; Matthew 26:64; Matthew 28:18). As the incarnated Son of God he was made king for a specific purpose, that of destroying every rule and every authority and power. Paul is (at least primarily) referring to Satan and his demons (see further Ephesians 6:12). The verb that is translated as destroying means to make something powerless and ineffective.

When Christ has destroyed God’s enemies, he will give back the kingdom (or, perhaps a better translation, the kingship) to his Father. He will have fulfilled the kingly task that God had given him on the day of his resurrection.