1 Corinthians 15:46
What does 1 Corinthians 15:46 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 15:46 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 15:46 means
The spiritual is not first, but the natural; then comes the spiritual. God’s pattern is progression: earthly life precedes heavenly glory. This answers the skeptic’s timing objection. We should not expect the full power of the Spirit’s resurrection life before the appointed time. Present weakness does not negate future transformation; it precedes it. The seed comes before the plant; the perishable before the imperishable. This verse situates Christian hope within God’s ordered plan, encouraging patience. What we experience now is the first stage; the spiritual, glorious stage is assured by Christ and will follow in God’s time.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Howbeit that is not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; then that which is spiritual.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Howbeit that is not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; then that which is spiritual.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But that which is natural comes before that which is of the spirit.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862but that which is spiritual <FI>is<Fi> not first, but that which <FI>was<Fi> natural, afterwards that which <FI>is<Fi> spiritual.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Yet that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural: afterwards that which is spiritual.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But that which is spiritual [was] not first, but that which is natural, then that which is spiritual:
Context
Paul clarifies the sequence between natural and spiritual (v. 46), complementing his earlier order in vv. 23–24. He will next contrast the origins and natures of the first man and the second man (v. 47), then apply this to believers’ present and future likenesses (vv. 48–49). The context reinforces that transformation is both certain and properly sequenced within God’s design.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ephesians 4:22
that ye put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, that waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit;
- Romans 6:6
knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin;
- Colossians 3:9
lie not one to another; seeing that ye have put off the old man with his doings,
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