1 Corinthians 15:45 Meaning and Explanation
“And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The first Adam became a living soul; the last Adam, Christ, a life-giving spirit.
What Does 1 Corinthians 15:45 Mean?
Paul grounds the two kinds of body in two men. He cites the creation account: the first man, Adam, became a 'living soul,' a living being. Christ, the 'last Adam,' became a 'life-giving spirit,' the source of resurrection life for others. Adam received life; Christ gives it.
The two stand as heads of two humanities. From Adam comes natural life that ends in death; from Christ comes the life that raises the dead. For the reader, this is the heart of the hope. The risen Christ does not merely possess life but pours it out, quickening all who are joined to him. He is the wellspring of the resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:45 in the Original Language
psyche (ψυχή), 'soul' -- the living self; Adam 'became a living soul,' a living being.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 15:45
What does 1 Corinthians 15:45 mean?
The first Adam became a living soul; the last Adam, Christ, a life-giving spirit.