Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 15:22

What does 1 Corinthians 15:22 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 15:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 15:22 means

All who are united to Adam share in death; all who are united to Christ will be made alive. Paul does not teach universal salvation here; he describes two corporate solidarities with different outcomes. The “all” in each case is defined by the head to whom they belong. In Adam, mortality and judgment; in Christ, resurrection life. The verse accents certainty—“shall all be made alive”—grounded in Christ’s victory already proclaimed. It reminds believers that their destiny does not rest on personal strength but on their union with the risen Lord, the new Head of a redeemed humanity.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For as in Adam death comes to all, so in Christ will all come back to life.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for even as in Adam all die, so also in the Christ all shall be made alive,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

Continuing the Adam–Christ contrast (v. 21), Paul states the dual solidarity plainly (v. 22) before turning to the ordered outworking of resurrection (v. 23). This lays the theological base for why Christ’s resurrection ensures His people’s resurrection. The flow will move from principle to timeline: first Christ, then those who are His at His coming, then the end when He hands the kingdom to the Father (vv. 23–24).

v.21For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

v.22This passage

v.23But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ’s, at his coming.

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 3:6

    And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and she gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat.

  • Genesis 3:19

    in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

  • Genesis 2:17

    but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

  • 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:—

  • John 5:21

    For as the Father raiseth the dead and giveth them life, even so the Son also giveth life to whom he will.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:45

    So also it is written, The first man Adam became a living soul. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore 1 Corinthians 15

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on 1 Corinthians 15.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to 1 Corinthians 15:22.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary