What is the significance of Christ handing over the kingdom to God in 1 Corinthians 15:24? Text of the Passage “Then the end will come, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father after He has destroyed all dominion, authority, and power.” (1 Corinthians 15:24) Immediate Context in 1 Corinthians 15 Paul’s entire chapter centers on the bodily resurrection of Christ and, by extension, the guaranteed resurrection of believers (vv. 1-23). Verses 24-28 form the climactic eschatological sequence: (1) Christ reigns; (2) He subdues every enemy, death last; (3) He presents the kingdom to the Father; (4) God is “all in all.” The handing-over phrase cannot be isolated from this narrative of victory over death and the consummation of God’s redemptive plan. The Biblical Concept of “Kingdom” Scripture employs “kingdom” (Heb. malkût; Gk. basileia) to describe God’s comprehensive rule (Psalm 103:19) and the Messiah’s delegated, mediatorial reign (Daniel 7:13-14). In the present age Christ possesses “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). Yet the kingdom also has a consummate stage when rebellion is fully eliminated (“already/not-yet” tension). Paul is describing that future consummation. Christ’s Mediatorial Reign At His ascension Christ was enthroned (Acts 2:33-36; Psalm 110:1). He now reigns “until He has put all His enemies under His feet” (1 Corinthians 15:25). This reign is mediatorial—exercised on behalf of, and in submission to, the Father’s redemptive purpose. Once every enemy is subdued, the mediatorial role has achieved its goal; the Son returns the kingdom to the Father so that the eternal, unmediated sovereignty of God becomes visibly absolute. Meaning of “Handing Over” (paradidōmi) The verb denotes deliberate, authoritative transfer. It does not connote abdication or loss but successful completion of an assigned mission. The same term is used of stewardship transfers (cf. Luke 4:6). Christ fulfills the Father’s commission (John 17:4), then formally presents the reconciled creation back to its Source. The Eschatological Sequence (“Then the End”) 1. Second Coming and resurrection of believers (vv. 22-23). 2. Active reign destroying “all dominion, authority, and power” (v. 24; cf. Colossians 2:15). 3. Final annihilation of death (v. 26; cf. Revelation 20:14). 4. Formal presentation of the kingdom to the Father (v. 24). 5. God “all in all” (v. 28), ushering in the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21–22). Old Testament Foundations • Psalm 110:1—Messiah seated until enemies subdued. • Daniel 7:13-14, 27—Son of Man receives kingdom, then “the sovereignty, power, and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints.” Paul’s wording echoes Daniel’s sequence. • Psalm 8:6—“You made him ruler over the works of Your hands; You have placed everything under his feet,” applied to Christ in Hebrews 2:6-9. Trinitarian Dynamics: Equality of Essence, Order of Operations Handing over the kingdom is functional, not ontological. Father, Son, and Spirit share the same divine essence (John 10:30; Acts 5:3-4). Yet within redemption the Son willingly subjects Himself (Philippians 2:5-11). Paul immediately safeguards unity: “When it says that everything has been put under Him, this clearly does not include the One who put everything under Him” (1 Corinthians 15:27). The action displays perfect intra-Trinitarian harmony, not hierarchy of value. Relation to Defeat of Death Death is “the last enemy to be destroyed” (v. 26). Christ’s resurrection guarantees its demise (vv. 20-23). The transfer of the kingdom signals the moment death is gone forever, proving the efficacy of the cross and resurrection. Without bodily resurrection this handover is impossible, so Paul’s argument for resurrection climaxes here. Harmony with Other New Testament Passages • Matthew 13:41-43—Son of Man removes evil, “then the righteous will shine…,” paralleling Paul’s order. • Hebrews 1:13; 2:8—Everything subjected under Christ, with an acknowledged “not yet” completion. • Revelation 11:15; 22:3—Kingdom becomes “the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ,” yet “the throne of God and of the Lamb” is singular, affirming unified reign post-handover. Refutation of Common Objections • Subordinationism: Context defines functional submission, not inferior deity. • Open Theism: The predetermined sequence and absolute victory over evil contradict any notion of divine uncertainty. • Spiritual-only Resurrection: Paul insists on physical resurrection (vv. 35-49); the kingdom’s handover hinges on bodily defeat of death. Implications for Believers Assurance—Our future is tethered to Christ’s completed triumph. Purpose—Living “to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:12) anticipates the day God is “all in all.” Hope in Suffering—Present afflictions are eclipsed by the promised consummation (2 Corinthians 4:17). Evangelism—The handover marks a closing door of grace; therefore, “now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Pastoral and Ethical Outworkings Christ’s ultimate surrender of the kingdom models humble stewardship. Believers, likewise, “present” their lives to God (Romans 12:1). Kingdom work now—justice, mercy, proclamation—participates in the coming consummation, knowing our labor “is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Concluding Significance Christ handing over the kingdom seals the cosmic restoration initiated at Calvary, validates the resurrection as history’s hinge, and ushers creation into the unhindered, eternal glory of the triune God. |
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