Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 15:48

What does 1 Corinthians 15:48 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 15:48 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 15:48 means

As the earthy man is, so are those who are earthy; as the heavenly man is, so are those who are heavenly. Belonging determines likeness. Those united to Adam share mortality and weakness; those united to Christ share His heavenly life and will reflect His character. This reinforces that resurrection is not a general human upgrade but a gift to those who are “in Christ.” The verse invites believers to see their present renewal and future transformation as flowing from their Head. Our hope is personal and relational: we become like the One we belong to, the risen and heavenly Man, Jesus.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Those who are of the earth are like the man who was from the earth: and those who are of heaven are like the one from heaven.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

as <FI>is<Fi> the earthy, such <FI>are<Fi> also the earthy; and as <FI>is<Fi> the heavenly, such <FI>are<Fi> also the heavenly;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Such as is the earthly, such also are the earthly: and such as is the heavenly, such also are they that are heavenly.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Such as he made of dust, such also those made of dust; and such as the heavenly [one], such also the heavenly [ones].

Context

Continuing the contrast (v. 47), Paul states the principle of shared likeness (v. 48), preparing for the promise of bearing the heavenly image (v. 49). The flow tightens the link between union with Christ and the nature of the resurrection body. The next step will be explicit assurance that as we have borne Adam’s image, we shall bear Christ’s heavenly image.

v.47The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is of heaven.

v.48This passage

v.49And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

Cross references

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

  • Philippians 3:20

    For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

  • Job 14:4

    Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.

  • 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 3:6

    That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

  • Genesis 5:3

    And Adam lived a hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:

  • 1 Corinthians 15:21

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

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