1 Corinthians 15:46

1 Corinthians 15:46 Meaning and Explanation

Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

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The natural comes first, and the spiritual follows afterward.

What Does 1 Corinthians 15:46 Mean?

Paul notes the order of things. The spiritual did not come first; the natural body and life came first, and the spiritual follows afterward. As in creation, so in redemption: there is a sequence from the present to the glorified.

This order is part of God's design. We live first in the natural body and only afterward, through Christ, receive the spiritual. The present is not skipped but is the soil from which the future grows. For the reader, this gives meaning to the here and now. This natural life is the appointed first stage, leading on by God's plan to the glorious spiritual life that comes after.

Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 15:46

What does 1 Corinthians 15:46 mean?

The natural comes first, and the spiritual follows afterward.

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