What does 1 Corinthians 15:24 mean?
Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 1 Corinthians 15:24
Explanation
1 Corinthians 15:24 speaks of an eschatological event, where Christ, having accomplished the work of redemption and having subdued all opposition, surrenders His ruling authority back to God the Father. The “end” refers to the culmination of history as we know it, the final consummation of God’s redemptive plan. This surrendering up of the kingdom signifies that Christ’s reign will have achieved its intended purpose of restoring all things and defeating all forms of evil and rebellion. The verse emphasizes the absolute and final victory of God over all powers that stand opposed to His reign.
Historical Context
1 Corinthians was written by the Apostle Paul to the Christian community in Corinth around A.D. 53-54. Corinth was a major Greek city that was culturally diverse and known for its wealth and immorality. The church in Corinth was grappling with various issues including divisions, moral lapses, and misunderstandings about the resurrection. In Chapter 15, Paul addresses doubts and confusion about the resurrection of the dead, a topic with direct implications for Christian eschatology.
Theological Insights
Different theological viewpoints interpret this verse in varying ways:
- Pre-millennialism: This view might interpret “Then cometh the end” as the point after Christ’s thousand-year reign on Earth when He hands over the kingdom.
- Amillennialism: Amillenialists, who believe there isn’t a literal thousand-year reign of Christ, might see this as a description of the second coming of Christ and the immediate transition to the eternal state.
- Post-millennialism: Post-millenialists would view this as the end of a golden age of Christian dominance, after which Christ returns and hands the kingdom to the Father.
All these views agree that the verse depicts the final defeat of all opposing powers and the establishment of God’s eternal dominion.
Practical Applications
1 Corinthians 15:24 reassures believers of the final victory over sin and death through Christ. This can offer comfort during trials, motivating Christians to live holy lives in anticipation of the coming reality of God’s perfected kingdom. It serves as a call to witness, as believers are to actively participate in the expansion of God’s rule by sharing the gospel.
Cross-References
- Matthew 28:18: “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
- Ephesians 1:20-22: “Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places…”
- Revelation 11:15: “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord…”
Language Study
- End (Greek: telos): Implies an ultimate goal or outcome, the culmination of a process.
- Delivered up (Greek: paradidōmi): To hand over or surrender, often with a sense of fulfilling an obligation.
- Kingdom (Greek: basileia): Refers to royal power, kingship, dominion, rule, not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom.
- Put down (Greek: katargeō): To render inactive, abolish, or bring to nought. It carries the sense of deactivating or disempowering.
Cultural and Religious Comparisons
In contrast to various ancient myths that often depict cyclical or unending battles between gods and forces of chaos, the Christian narrative plotline moves from creation to fall to redemption to final restoration, with a decisive end to conflict. Unlike many polytheistic belief systems where deities vie for power, in Christianity, there is a clear hierarchy and a predefined end where God’s sovereignty is uncontested.
Scientific Perspectives
While 1 Corinthians 15:24 deals with theological and eschatological concepts that fall outside the purview of empirical science, it does touch upon themes of order, hierarchy, and the cessation of conflict, which can be seen as analogous to entropy and the tendency towards equilibrium in closed systems. However, this verse speaks to spiritual and metaphysical realities that science does not currently address.
Commentaries
Biblical scholars and theologians offer various interpretations of this verse:
- John Calvin: Saw this as confirmation that Christ’s reign is for the purpose of restoring the faithful to the Father, and once that is accomplished, He will relinquish his mediatorial kingdom, reverting to His eternal Sonship.
- Charles Hodge: Argued that Christ’s reign involves the subjugation of His enemies and that the end times signal a restored order of God’s rule.
- Gordon Fee: Suggests that Paul is describing the final act in God’s drama of redemption where Christ, having completed his salvific task, hands over a fully reconciled creation to the Father.
Looking for a Good 1 Corinthians Bible Study? Start Here:
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