1 Corinthians 15:48 kjv
As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
1 Corinthians 15:48 nkjv
As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly.
1 Corinthians 15:48 niv
As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven.
1 Corinthians 15:48 esv
As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven.
1 Corinthians 15:48 nlt
Earthly people are like the earthly man, and heavenly people are like the heavenly man.
1 Corinthians 15 48 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Corinthians 15:20 | But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, as the firstfruits | Resurrection as firstfruits |
| 1 Corinthians 15:23 | But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming | Resurrection order |
| Philippians 3:21 | who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body | Transformation |
| Romans 8:29 | For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed | Conformed to Christ |
| Genesis 3:19 | By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground | Return to dust |
| John 3:31 | He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth | Heavenly origin |
| 1 Corinthians 15:49 | Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear | Image of the heavenly |
| Colossians 3:4 | When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him | Appearing with Christ |
| 1 Peter 1:4 | to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading | Imperishable inheritance |
| 2 Corinthians 5:1 | For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed | Earthly tent, heavenly home |
| John 17:16 | they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world | Not of the world |
| 1 Corinthians 15:44 | It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body | Natural vs. spiritual body |
| Psalm 103:14 | For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust | God knows our frame |
| Ecclesiastes 3:20 | All go to the same place. All were made from dust, and to dust all | Return to dust |
| 1 Corinthians 15:50 | I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom | Flesh and blood limited |
| Romans 5:12 | Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man | First Adam's impact |
| Romans 5:19 | For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners | Adam's disobedience |
| 1 Corinthians 15:22 | For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive | Death and life in Christ |
| 2 Corinthians 4:16 | So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away | Outer self vs. inner self |
| John 1:14 | And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us | Incarnation, Word becoming flesh |
| Romans 8:19-23 | For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God | Creation's groaning |
| 1 Corinthians 15:47 | The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is Lord | Adam vs. Christ |
1 Corinthians 15 verses
1 Corinthians 15 48 Meaning
Those who are of the earth are like the man of dust, but those who are heavenly will be like him who is heavenly. This verse contrasts the earthly, fallen human condition with the resurrected, glorified state that believers will experience. It emphasizes a transformation from a corruptible, earthly existence to an incorruptible, heavenly one, mirroring the resurrection nature of Christ.
1 Corinthians 15 48 Context
This verse is situated within 1 Corinthians chapter 15, a significant discourse on the resurrection of believers. Paul addresses the Corinthians' potential doubts or denial of the bodily resurrection, arguing that it is a foundational truth of the Christian faith. He contrasts the resurrected Christ, the "firstfruits," with Adam, the "man of dust" who brought sin and death. The chapter culminates in a description of the transformed nature of resurrected bodies, highlighting the difference between our present earthly form and our future heavenly glorified bodies, which will be spiritual and immortal. This verse specifically points to the principle of conformity to Christ in our resurrected state.
1 Corinthians 15 48 Word Analysis
- as (houtos) - thus, so, in this way. Connects the manner of earthly man to heavenly man.
- are (en) - they are (in) or in a state of being. Indicates possession of a quality.
- the (ho) - definite article, specifying.
- earthly (choikos) - of dust, earthy, made of dust. From chous (dust). Refers to the mortal, physical body derived from the earth, contrasting with the heavenly.
- man (anthropos) - man, human being, mankind. Refers to Adam as the progenitor of humanity.
- of (ek) - out of, from. Indicates origin.
- dust (choos) - dust, earth, dry earth. Signifies mortality and decay.
- even (houtos) - thus, so, in this way. Similar to the first "as," emphasizing similarity or identity in quality.
- so (houtos) - thus, so, in this way. Indicates manner or consequence.
- also (kai) - and. Connects the two parallel clauses.
- are (en) - they are (in) or in a state of being.
- the (ho) - definite article, specifying.
- heavenly (epouranios) - of heaven, heavenly. Refers to the realm of God and Christ, and the nature of the resurrected state.
- man (anthropos) - man, human being, mankind. Refers to the "second man," Christ, in his glorified state and what believers will become like.
Groups of words:
- "the earthly man of dust" (ho choikos ex gēs anthropos): describes Adam and, by extension, all humanity in its fallen, mortal state, originating from and destined to return to dust.
- "the heavenly man" (ho epouranios): refers to Christ in His resurrected and glorified state, and by parallel, the transformed believers.
- "as... so also...": sets up a direct comparison and contrast between the nature derived from Adam and the nature received through Christ in resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15 48 Bonus Section
This verse builds upon the Adam-Christ typology prevalent in Paul's writings (e.g., Romans 5, 1 Corinthians 15:22, 1 Corinthians 15:45-47). Adam, the first man, represented humanity in its original creation and subsequent fall, bringing sin and death. Christ, the second man and Lord, represents a new humanity, inaugurating righteousness and life through His resurrection. The transformation described here is absolute; it’s a fundamental shift in the essence of being, moving from a mortal, earthly framework to an immortal, heavenly one, patterned after Christ's resurrected glory. This provides a profound assurance and hope for believers regarding their future existence beyond the present earthly limitations.
1 Corinthians 15 48 Commentary
The verse establishes a principle of correspondence: as we bear the likeness of Adam, originating from dust, so too shall we bear the likeness of Christ, who is from heaven. This transformation is not merely moral but ontological, involving a change in the very nature of our existence. The "earthly" refers to our current fallen state, subject to death and corruption, like Adam who was formed from the dust of the earth. The "heavenly" signifies the state of glorification achieved through Christ's resurrection. We are currently "earthly" in our mortal bodies. When we are resurrected, we will become "heavenly," reflecting the perfected, immortal nature of Christ, who is the "second man" and Lord from heaven. This is not to say we will literally become celestial beings but that our resurrected bodies will partake of Christ's heavenly, incorruptible nature, no longer bound by the limitations of dust.