Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 15:45

What does 1 Corinthians 15:45 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 15:45 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 15:45 means

Scripture says, “The first man Adam became a living soul.” Paul adds: “The last Adam”—Christ—“became a life-giving spirit.” Adam received life; Christ gives life. This explains the spiritual body of v. 44: the risen Christ, by the Spirit, imparts resurrection life to His people. Christ is not merely another man but the inaugurator of a new humanity. The title “last Adam” signifies finality and sufficiency—no further head is needed. As Adam’s legacy was mortality, Christ’s is vivifying power. The verse grounds our future transformation in Christ’s person and work, not in abstract principle or human potential.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And so it is said, The first man Adam was a living soul. The last Adam is a life-giving spirit.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

so also it hath been written, `The first man Adam became a living creature,' the last Adam <FI>is<Fi> for a life-giving spirit,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

The first man Adam was made into a living soul; the last Adam into a quickening spirit.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Thus also it is written, The first man Adam became a living soul; the last Adam a quickening spirit.

Context

Having contrasted natural and spiritual bodies (v. 44), Paul ties this to biblical history: Adam vs. Christ (v. 45). The next verses (vv. 46–49) will develop order (natural first), origin (earthly vs. heavenly), and image (bearing Adam’s image now, Christ’s then). The context shows that the resurrection body flows from belonging to Christ, the life-giver, not from the old Adamic order.

v.44it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

v.45This passage

v.46Howbeit that is not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; then that which is spiritual.

Cross references

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

  • John 14:19

    Yet a little while, and the world beholdeth me no more; but ye behold me: because I live, ye shall live also.

  • Colossians 3:4

    When Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory.

  • Acts 3:15

    and killed the Prince of life; whom God raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

  • John 6:39

    And this is the will of him that sent me, that of all that which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.

  • John 6:54

    He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

  • Revelation 21:6

    And he said unto me, They are come to pass. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

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