The Resurrection
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 · Berean Standard Bible
After Jesus raises His people, He'll complete His work by defeating every power and authority, then He'll hand everything back to God the Father.
Some Corinthians wondered: what happens next? Does Jesus just keep ruling forever? Paul explains the ultimate goal—not Jesus lording it over creation permanently, but a restored order where God reigns over all.
Paul
This echoes Old Testament prophecies about God's kingdom becoming complete. The resurrection isn't the end goal; it's the final stage before everything is made right and God's rule is fully established.
When Christ finishes His reign and destroys all opposing powers, He will surrender His kingdom to God the Father so that God's rule becomes completely supreme.
This verse addresses a potential misunderstanding among Corinthian pneumatics (those claiming special spiritual knowledge) who may have imagined Christ's exaltation as permanent, separate dominion. Paul clarifies the trinitarian logic: Christ's reign is subordinate and temporary, ordered toward the Father's ultimate sovereignty. The phrase 'destroys all dominion, authority, and power' (kathargēsē pasan archēn kai pasan exousian) employs the verb kathargeo — to render inoperative, to abolish. These aren't annihilated but stripped of efficacy.
Paul, articulating eschatological subordinationism grounded in monotheistic tradition
This completes the apocalyptic drama — creation fell under tyrannies (what we might call the powers and principalities Paul elsewhere names). Christ's work includes not merely personal salvation but cosmic liberation and restoration to the Father's undisputed rule.
22For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
23But each in his own turn: Christ the firstfruits; then at His coming, those who belong to Him.
24Then the end will come, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father after He has destroyed all dominion, authority, and power.
25For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.
26The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
Read all of 1 Corinthians 15 — If Christ has not been raised, Paul says, everything falls apart. But He has — and that changes everything.
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