1 Corinthians 15:46 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual.

NIV: The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual.

NASB: However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual.

CSB: However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, then the spiritual.

NLT: What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later.

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

NKJV: However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.

To combat doubts about the resurrection of believers (1 Corinthians 15:12; 35), Paul has been describing ways in which the resurrected body will be different from natural-born earthly bodies. In short, they will be made of different stuff. The natural body made from earth, originally (Genesis 2:7; 1 Corinthians 15:47). The resurrection body is made of heavenly material. One is designed for life on earth and the other is designed for the life to come (1 Corinthians 15:48).

Paul now emphasizes once more that these bodies are different, but they are also connected. Earlier, he used the analogy of a seed which dies in order to produce the new plant (1 Corinthians 15:37). The natural body must come first, and die, so the spiritual body will come into existence at the resurrection, when Christ returns for those who belong to Him. This process makes sense in that God is not putting us into our "better" forms now; those are reserved for eternity, instead.

First Corinthians 15:35–49 describes how the resurrected bodies of believers will be different from our current bodies. Resurrected bodies will not be reanimated corpses or some lesser version of our pre-death frame. The opposite is true. Our current, corrupt bodies are like seeds that are sown to bring to life the plant. These forms are temporary, dishonorable, and weak. Our transformed bodies will be eternal, glorified, and powerful, made from the materials of heaven, not earth, and built for an eternity with God.

Paul provides thorough teaching about the resurrection of Christians from the dead. This is a direct counter to some group of Corinthians who did not believe in such a resurrection. He shows that natural death is not the end of life for Christians; it is the last step before receiving a glorified, resurrected body like that of the risen Christ. That ''spiritual'' body will be as different from our current bodies as a star is from a fish. In that moment, for all who have believed in Christ, living and dead, death will be defeated for good.

In chapters 12, 13, and 14, Scripture focused on the concept of spiritual gifts and how best to use them. This follows several other ideas where Paul corrected errors in the Corinthians' thinking. Chapter 15 contains extensive teaching on one last issue about which some Corinthians were confused or misled. Apparently, they harbored some doubts about the physical resurrection of Christians from the dead. After clearing up these confusions, Paul will address various other items, of a less doctrinal nature, and close out his letter.

First Corinthians is one of the more practical books of the New Testament. Paul writes to a church immersed in a city associated with trade, but also with corruption and immorality. These believers are struggling to properly apply spiritual gifts and to resist the ungodly practices of the surrounding culture. Paul's letter gives instructions for real-life concerns such as marriage and spirituality. He also deals with the importance of unity and gives one of the Bible's more well-known descriptions of love in chapter 13.

Accessed 5/1/2024 10:46:53 PM