Note 1 at 1 Cor. 15:20: The resurrection of Jesus puts Christianity in a class all by itself. Many people have come and gone professing some revelation from God or new way of approaching God. But only Jesus has conquered death. This makes Him unique and elevates Him above the level of any other man who has ever walked on the earth. The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate proof of the accuracy of His doctrine (see note 4 at Rom. 1:4, p. 740).

Note 2 at 1 Cor. 15:20: Paul's use of the word "firstfruits" is very important to his argument for the resurrection. Christ was not the "onlyfruit" (or person) from the dead, but the "firstfruits." If there is a "firstfruits," then there has to be a second fruit and third fruit, etc. He is saying that Christ was just the first among many to be raised from the dead.

Someone may question how Jesus could be the firstfruits from the dead because there were people raised from the dead prior to Jesus (see note 3 at Lk. 7:15, p. 175). However, Jesus was raised from the dead, never to die again. He was the first person ever raised to immortal life. This is what Paul is referring to.