Although the first παντες probably refers to the whole humanity, the
second παντες denotes only those who belong to
Christ. The reasons are as follows: (1) Verse 23b specifies a particular group
who will be raised at the parousia as οι του Χριστου. (2) The universal salvation is
contrary to the overall teaching of Paul. (3) The present position of παντες after εν
‘Αδαμ and εν
Χριστω is probably for the purpose of creating a
parallelism with verse 21. Therefore, as Ellis insists, the more accurate
understanding of verse 22 would be: “As all who are in Adam die, so all who are
in Christ will be made alive.” See Ellis, Pauline Theology, 10. (Sang-Won (Aaron) Son, Corporate Elements
in Pauline Anthropology: A Study of Selected Terms, Idioms, and Concepts in the
Light of Paul’s Usage and Background [Rome: Pontificio Instituto Biblico,
2001], 45 n. 24)
