1 Corinthians 15:28
And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
1 Corinthians 15:28
This verse completes the pattern of the previous statements, describing the ultimate dynamic at the end: “the Son also himself shall be subject unto him that put all things under him.” The climactic point is that, in the renewed order, the Son’s own role will itself be subordinated to the Father so that “God may be all in all.” This is not a denial of the Son’s divinity or dignity but a theological statement about the proper relational order within the Godhead and in the eschatological creation. The aim is cosmic unity where God’s fullness pervades all things. In the immediate Corinthian context, the verse reassures believers that their faith in Christ’s resurrection is consistent with an ordered, hopeful future in which even the Son’s authority gives attention to the Father’s ultimate rule.
Key themes include God’s fullness and the ultimate purpose of history: that all things will be reconciled and “God may be all in all.” The verse reflects churchly debates about the nature of Jesus’ rule and the relationship within the Trinity, while also offering a robust anthropology of power—authority that exists for the sake of love, unity, and the flourishing of creation. It reframes victory not as independence from God but as triumphant harmony under God’s ultimate sovereignty.
For believers today, this invites trust that Jesus’ authority serves God’s universal purpose rather than eroding it. In church leadership or family life, consider whether your power structures aim to honor God’s overarching plan that ends in God’s fullness pervading all. This can translate into humility in governance, transparency, and service-oriented leadership. In personal spirituality, focus on cultivating a sense of dependence on God’s ultimate will, inviting the Spirit to permeate every facet of life so that “God is all in all” becomes more than a doctrine—becomes a lived reality in decisions, relationships, and communities.
Cross-References: 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Colossians 1:15-20; Revelation 21:3; John 17:11; 1 Corinthians 8:6