1 Corinthians 15:47 kjv
The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven.
1 Corinthians 15:47 nkjv
The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.
1 Corinthians 15:47 niv
The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven.
1 Corinthians 15:47 esv
The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven.
1 Corinthians 15:47 nlt
Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, the second man, came from heaven.
1 Corinthians 15 47 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 2:7 | God formed man from dust | First Adam's earthly origin |
| Genesis 3:19 | Dust you are, and to dust you shall return | Consequences of Adam's sin |
| Job 10:9 | Remember that you fashioned me like clay | Earthly nature of humanity |
| Psalm 103:14 | He knows how we are made; he remembers we are dust | God's awareness of human frailty |
| Isaiah 40:6 | All people are like grass | Fleeting earthly existence |
| John 3:31 | He who comes from above is above all | Christ's heavenly origin and supremacy |
| John 3:13 | No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven | Christ's unique heavenly access |
| John 1:14 | The Word became flesh | Incarnation of the heavenly Son |
| Philippians 3:20 | Our citizenship is in heaven | Believers' heavenly identity |
| Philippians 2:5-8 | Christ emptied himself, taking the form of a servant | Christ's humility and descent |
| Colossians 1:15-17 | Christ is the image of the invisible God | Christ's heavenly nature |
| Colossians 3:1-4 | Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth | Believers' focus on the heavenly |
| Romans 5:12-19 | Through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin | Parallel between Adam and Christ |
| 1 Corinthians 15:21 | For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead | Resurrection linked to humanity |
| 1 Corinthians 15:22 | For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive | Union with Adam and Christ |
| 1 Corinthians 15:45 | Thus it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. | The contrasting nature of Adam and Christ |
| 1 Corinthians 15:48 | As was the earthly man, so also were those who are of the earth, and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of the heavens. | Believers mirroring Christ |
| 1 Corinthians 15:49 | Just as we have borne the image of the earthy man, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly man. | Future transformation reflecting Christ |
| 2 Corinthians 4:16 | Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. | Spiritual renewal contrasting with physical decay |
| 1 Peter 1:3-4 | Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. | Heavenly inheritance of believers |
1 Corinthians 15 verses
1 Corinthians 15 47 Meaning
The first man, Adam, was earthly, belonging to the soil and all that is related to it. The second man, Christ, is heavenly, originating from God and relating to the spiritual realm.
1 Corinthians 15 47 Context
This verse is found in 1 Corinthians 15, a chapter dedicated to the resurrection of believers. Paul is addressing doubts about the resurrection and explaining the nature of the resurrected body. He draws a profound contrast between the first Adam, whose earthly origin resulted in mortality, and the last Adam, Jesus Christ, whose heavenly origin results in life. This contrast serves to explain how believers, united with Christ, will also partake in a heavenly, incorruptible existence after resurrection. The immediate context (verses 45-49) focuses on the transformative nature of Christ’s resurrection and its impact on those who belong to Him. Historically, this teaching countered various Greek philosophies that devalued the body and perhaps even some Jewish misunderstandings about the afterlife, emphasizing a complete, bodily resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15 47 Word Analysis
hos (ὡς): "as" or "like." This conjunction introduces a comparison.
prōtos (πρῶτος): "first." Refers to Adam as the initial human.
anthrōpos (ἄνθρωπος): "man" or "human." Denotes mankind, specifically Adam as the representative.
ek (ἐκ): "from" or "out of." Indicates origin or source.
gēs (γῆς): "earth" or "ground." Highlights Adam's creation from the soil.
ek tou Ouranou (ἐκ τοῦ Οὐρανοῦ): "from the heaven" or "out of heaven." Denotes Christ's divine, heavenly origin.
- Ouranou (Οὐρανοῦ): "heaven." Represents God's dwelling place, the spiritual realm, contrasting with the earthly.
kai (καί): "and." Connects the two contrasting clauses.
houtos (οὗτος): "this" or "he." Refers back to Christ.
Group: Adam's Earthly Nature: The phrase "hos prōtos anthrōpos ek gēs" establishes Adam's foundation in the earthly realm, emphasizing his creation from dust and the consequent mortality inherited by humanity.
Group: Christ's Heavenly Nature: The phrase "houtos de ho de Ouranou" clearly demarcates Christ's origin as supremely heavenly, indicating his divine essence and connection to God, the source of life and immortality. This distinction is crucial for understanding the transformation described in the resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15 47 Bonus Section
The contrast between the "earthly man" (Adam) and the "heavenly man" (Christ) echoes a common theme in Paul's writings, particularly his emphasis on the dichotomy between flesh and spirit, or the old self and the new self in Christ. This verse can be seen as a theological anchor for the doctrine of the "new creation" experienced by believers, who are now seated with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). The resurrection described here is not a simple return to a previous state but a transition into a new mode of existence, spiritual and incorruptible, mirroring the risen Christ’s transformed body. This new mode of existence transcends the limitations of the earthly body, becoming attuned to the spiritual realm and the presence of God.
1 Corinthians 15 47 Commentary
This verse sets forth a foundational distinction for understanding salvation and resurrection. Adam, the first man, represents humanity's earthly existence, characterized by mortality and susceptibility to sin due to his grounding in the terrestrial sphere. In stark contrast, Jesus Christ, the second or "last" Adam, is described as heavenly. This heavenly origin signifies his divine nature and his capacity to bestow eternal life. The resurrection is therefore not merely a resuscitation of the earthly body but a transformation into a new, incorruptible, and spiritual reality patterned after Christ, the heavenly archetype. Believers are united with Christ and thus inherit his resurrection life, shedding the Adamic earthly limitations for a heavenly existence. The transformation from the earthly to the heavenly, initiated by Christ's resurrection, means our future resurrected state will reflect his glorified, heavenly reality.