1 Corinthians 15:21 kjv
For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
1 Corinthians 15:21 nkjv
For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.
1 Corinthians 15:21 niv
For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.
1 Corinthians 15:21 esv
For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.
1 Corinthians 15:21 nlt
So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man.
1 Corinthians 15 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 5:12 | As sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin | Death through Adam's sin |
| Rom 5:17-19 | If, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one | Death and resurrection link |
| Gen 3:19 | By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground | Ground to dust; death |
| John 11:25 | "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me..." | Christ's resurrection claim |
| John 1:4 | In him was life, and the life was the light of men | Christ as source of life |
| 1 Cor 15:45 | Thus it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being" | Adam as the first man |
| Phil 3:20-21 | But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior | Transformation in Christ |
| Col 1:18 | And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning | Christ as head of the body |
| Gen 1:28 | Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth | Creation mandate to Adam |
| Gen 2:17 | but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat | Adam's disobedience |
| Isa 25:8 | He will swallow up death forever | God's promise of no death |
| Hosea 13:14 | "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" | Future defeat of death |
| Matt 28:18 | "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." | Christ's ultimate authority |
| Luke 24:5-6 | "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here..." | Empty tomb proof |
| Acts 1:3 | After his suffering he presented himself alive to them | Christ's post-resurrection |
| 1 Cor 15:1-3 | Recap of the gospel and Christ's death and resurrection | Gospel foundation |
| 1 Cor 15:20 | But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead | Resurrection established |
| 1 Cor 15:22 | For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. | Direct comparison |
| 1 Cor 15:49 | Just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, we shall also bear | Heavenly likeness |
| Rev 21:4 | He will wipe away every tear from their eyes | No more death or pain |
| Rom 8:18-23 | Creation groans awaiting redemption | Groaning for redemption |
| 1 Thess 4:14 | For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so... | Believers' resurrection |
1 Corinthians 15 verses
1 Corinthians 15 21 Meaning
Because through man came death, through man also came the resurrection of the dead. This verse states a parallel: just as Adam's sin brought death to all humanity, Christ's work brings resurrection from the dead to believers.
1 Corinthians 15 21 Context
This verse is part of 1 Corinthians chapter 15, which is entirely dedicated to the doctrine of the resurrection. Paul is addressing a problem in the Corinthian church where some denied the resurrection of the dead. Paul establishes the reality of Christ's resurrection first, arguing that if Christ was not raised, then the faith is useless. He then explains the connection between Adam's role in bringing death and Christ's role in bringing resurrection. This specific verse serves as a crucial bridge between Christ's resurrection and the resurrection of believers. The argument moves from the objective event of Christ's resurrection to the subjective, experiential reality for believers through their connection with him.
1 Corinthians 15 21 Word Analysis
- "for" (gar - γάρ): A conjunction indicating a reason or explanation. It connects this statement to what preceded it, solidifying the argument for resurrection.
- "since" (epeidel - ἐπειδή): A causal conjunction, similar to "because." It introduces the reason why Christ's resurrection means believers will be resurrected.
- "through" (dia - διά): A preposition indicating the agent or means by which something is accomplished. Here, it points to "man" as the channel.
- "man" (anthropos - ἄνθρωπος): Refers to humanity. In this specific instance, it first points to Adam as the representative man and then to Christ as the representative man.
- "death" (thanatos - θάνατος): The opposite of life; a state of separation from life. Adam's sin introduced mortality and the ultimate separation from God into the human race.
- "came" (erchomai - ἔρχομαι): Means to come, arrive, or happen. It signifies the introduction or bringing forth of something.
- "man" (anthropos - ἄνθρωπος): Again, refers to humanity. This second instance crucially points to Christ Jesus.
- "also" (kai - καί): Connects two related clauses, emphasizing that just as death came through man, resurrection also comes through man.
- "the resurrection" (anastasis - ἀνάστασις): The act of rising up, standing up again. Specifically, the resurrection from the dead.
- "of the dead" (nekron - νεκρῶν): The genitive plural of nekros (νεκρός), meaning dead or lifeless. Refers to those who are dead.
Words-group Analysis:
- "through man death": This phrase directly references Adam's transgression and its consequence on humanity, establishing the foundational premise of human mortality introduced by sin.
- "through man also the resurrection of the dead": This contrasts Adam with Christ, presenting Christ as the new Adam whose victory over death guarantees resurrection for all who are "in him."
1 Corinthians 15 21 Bonus Section
The parallelism drawn here between Adam and Christ is a recurring theme in Paul's theology (Romans 5). Adam is the "federal head" or representative of the old humanity, whose disobedience led to widespread death. Christ is the "federal head" of the new humanity, whose obedience and resurrection secure life. This "federal headship" concept helps explain how Adam's sin affected all humans and how Christ's work can benefit believers. The "resurrection of the dead" isn't merely a restoration of life but a transformed, incorruptible life, contrasting with the mortal, corruptible life Adam's lineage inherited.
1 Corinthians 15 21 Commentary
This verse succinctly presents the theological anchor for the resurrection of believers: Christ's resurrection. It functions as a divine counterbalance to the universal effect of Adam's sin. Adam's representative action brought death as a penalty and natural consequence to all humanity. Christ's redemptive work, symbolized by His resurrection, brings new life and the ultimate defeat of death for all who are united with Him. This establishes Christ not just as an example, but as the source and guarantor of resurrection, undoing the destructive work of the first Adam with His victorious work. The power to overcome death stems from the victorious resurrection of Jesus.