Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 15:21

What does 1 Corinthians 15:21 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 15:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 15:21 means

Death entered humanity through a man, Adam; likewise, resurrection comes through a man, Christ. Paul sets a parallel of heads: what the first man brought on all who belong to him, the second Man remedies for all who belong to Him. God works through appointed representatives. Humanity’s plight is not random but covenantal; so is our rescue. The resurrection is not a generic afterlife notion but a reversal achieved by the incarnate Son. As Adam’s act brought death’s reign, so Christ’s work inaugurates life beyond death. The verse highlights both solidarity with Adam and the gracious gift of a new solidarity in Christ.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For as by man came death, so by man there is a coming back from the dead.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for since through man <FI>is<Fi> the death, also through man <FI>is<Fi> a rising again of the dead,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For by a man came death: and by a man the resurrection of the dead.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For since by man [came] death, by man also resurrection of [those that are] dead.

Context

Explaining “firstfruits” (v. 20), Paul now shows the theological basis for resurrection’s order by contrasting Adam and Christ (vv. 21–22). This parallel frames the universal reach of death and the saving scope of Christ’s life-giving reign for His people. The next verse will state the “in Adam… in Christ” pattern explicitly, leading into the ordered sequence of resurrections (v. 23). The context moves from assertion to explanation of how Christ’s resurrection entails ours.

v.20But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep.

v.21This passage

v.22For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 11:25

    Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live;

  • Romans 5:12

    Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned:—

  • 1 Corinthians 15:22

    For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

  • Romans 6:23

    For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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