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G536 · Greek · New Testament
ἀπαρχή
aparchē
Noun, feminine
firstfruits, first portion

Definition

The first portion of a harvest, offered to God as a consecration of the whole. In the OT, firstfruits acknowledged God's ownership and promised more to come. Paul applies it to Christ's resurrection (the firstfruits of those who have died) and to the Holy Spirit (the firstfruits of our future inheritance).

Usage & Theological Significance

Christ as aparchē (1 Corinthians 15:20) means His resurrection is not an isolated miracle but the guarantee and beginning of a universal harvest — all who belong to Him will rise. The Spirit as firstfruits (Romans 8:23) means our present experience of God is real but partial — a foretaste of full redemption. The firstfruits logic: if the first is holy, the whole batch is holy (Romans 11:16).

Key Bible Verses

1 Corinthians 15:20 Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Romans 8:23 We who have the firstfruits of the Spirit groan inwardly.
Romans 11:16 If the firstfruits are holy, so is the whole batch.
James 1:18 That we might be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Revelation 14:4 They were redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb.

Related Words

External Resources

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