What does the word 'order' mean in 1 Corinthians 15:23?
In 1 Corinthians 15:23, 'order' is a military term denoting a company, battalion, or organized group. It means resurrection happens in distinct companies or ranks, not simultaneously: Christ the firstfruits, then afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. So every person is resurrected in their own particular company.
Les explains that in 1 Corinthians 15:23 Paul is addressing the believing element, so 'every man in his own order' means every believer in his own order. The word 'order' is a military term for a company or battalion, an organizational group. Thus every human being in the human race will be resurrected, but in his own particular company. Les points out the sequence: Christ the firstfruits is the first group of resurrected people, including those who came out of the graves at Jerusalem. Then after a semicolon, the word 'afterward' shows it is not simultaneously, not at the very same moment, but at a later time—they that are Christ's at His coming. That group is the church age, grace age believer, the body of Christ. Then verse 24 says 'and then cometh the end,' which Les notes is after the tribulation.
But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
More Questions
What is the resurrection order in 1 Corinthians 15:23?
In 1 Corinthians 15:23, resurrection comes in order: first Christ the firstfruits, and afterward those who are Christ's at His coming.