Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

The reign of the Messiah

²⁰ But in fact the Messiah has been raised from the dead, as the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For since it was through a human that death arrived, it’s through a human that the resurrection from the dead has arrived. ²² All die in Adam, you see, and all will be made alive in the Messiah.

²³ Each, however, in proper order. The Messiah rises as the first fruits; then those who belong to the Messiah will rise at the time of his royal arrival. ²⁴ Then comes the end, the goal, when he hands over the kingly rule to God the father, when he has destroyed all rule and all authority and power. ²⁵ He has to go on ruling, you see, until “he has put all his enemies under his feet.” ²⁶ Death is the last enemy to be destroyed, ²⁷ because “he has put all things in order under his feet.” But when it says that everything is put in order under him, it’s obvious that this doesn’t include the one who put everything in order under him. ²⁸ No: when everything is put in order under him, then the son himself will be placed in proper order under the one who placed everything in order under him, so that God may be all in all.

Resurrection gives meaning to present Christian living

²⁹ Otherwise, what are people doing when they get baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead simply aren’t raised, why should people get baptized on their behalf?

³⁰ And why should we face danger every hour? ³¹ I die every day—yes, that’s something for you to boast about, my dear family, and that’s the boast I have in the Messiah, Jesus our Lord! ³² If, in human terms, I fought with wild animals at Ephesus, what use is that to me? If the dead are not raised, “let’s eat and drink, for tomorrow we die”!

³³ Don’t be deceived: “bad company kills off good habits”! ³⁴ Sober up; straighten up; stop sinning. Yes, some of you simply don’t know God! I’m saying this to bring shame on you.