I Corinthians 15:45
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being;” the last Adam a life-giving spirit.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
so--in accordance with the distinction just mentioned between the natural or animal-souled body and the spiritual body. it is written-- (Gen 2:7); "Man became (was made to become) a living soul," that is, endowed with an animal soul, the living principle of his body. the last Adam--the LAST Head of humanity, who is to be fully manifested in the last day, which is His day (Joh 6:39). He is so called in Job 19:25; see on Job 19:25 (compare Rom 5:14). In contrast to "the last," Paul calls "man" (Gen 2:7) "the FIRST Adam." quickening--not only living, but making alive (Joh 5:21; Joh 6:33, Joh 6:39-40, Joh 6:54, Joh 6:57, Joh 6:62-63; Rom 8:11). As the natural or animal-souled body (Co1 15:44) is the fruit of our union with the first Adam, an animal-souled man, so the spiritual body is the fruit of our union with the second Adam, who is the quickening Spirit (Co2 3:17). As He became representative of the whole of humanity in His union of the two natures, He exhausted in His own person the sentence of death passed on all men, and giveth spiritual and everlasting life to whom He will.
Open source ↗In this chapter the apostle treats of that great article of Christianity - the resurrection of the dead. I. He establishes the certainty of our Saviour's resurrection (Co1 15:1-11). II. He, from this truth, sets himself to refute those who said, There is no resurrection of the dead (Co1 15:12-19). III. From our Saviour's resurrection he establishes the resurrection of the dead and confirms the Corinthians in the belief of it by some other considerations (Co1 15:20-34). IV. He answers an objection against this truth, and takes occasion thence to show what a vast change will be made in the bodies of believers at the resurrection (v. 35-50). V. He informs us what a change will be made in those who shall be living at the sound of the last trumpet, and the complete conquest the just shall then obtain over death and the grave (Co1 15:51-57). And, VI. He sums up the argument with a very serious exhortation to Christians, to be resolved and diligent in their Lord's service, because they know they shall be so gloriously rewarded by him (Co1 15:58).
Open source ↗15:45-49 Adam and Christ founded two distinct humanities: One is natural and earthly, enslaved to sin and death; the other is spiritual and heavenly, purified and destined for life. Adam represents the natural (physical) body and Christ the spiritual (resurrection) body. See also 15:21-22; Rom 5:12-21. 15:45-46 Just as Christ’s life-giving Spirit supersedes the natural life, the spiritual body will supersede the physical body.
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom He wishes.
Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.
For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death.
The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
Just as the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on Me will live because of Me.
Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive an abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.