1 Corinthians 15:46

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

1 Corinthians 15:46 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
English Standard Version (ESV)
46 But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual.
New Living Translation (NLT)
46 What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later.
The Message Bible (MSG)
46 Physical life comes first, then spiritual -
American Standard Version (ASV)
46 Howbeit that is not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; then that which is spiritual.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
46 The spiritual does not come first, but the physical and then the spiritual.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
46 What is spiritual did not come first. What is earthly came first. What is spiritual came after that.

1 Corinthians 15:46 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 15:46

Howbeit, that was not first which is spiritual
As the apostle before proves the distinction of a natural and spiritual body, and gives instances of both in the two principal men in the world, the first and the last; and points out the difference between them, the one being animated, and having life given unto it, the other animating, and giving life to others; proceeds to observe the order of these, how that one was before the other; the spiritual body, though the more perfect and most excellent, yet was not first in being:

but that which is natural;
Adam's animal body was before Christ's spiritual body:

and afterwards that which is spiritual;
yea, even Christ's animal, or natural body, was before his spiritual one; his body taken from the virgin, and formed in her womb, and in which he lived here on earth, was an animal body, as before observed; and upon his resurrection, it commenced a spiritual one; being the same in substance as the former, only different in qualities; and just so it is, and will be, with the bodies of the saints'; which is the apostle's design and view, in observing this order; the natural body is first, and then the spiritual; it is first a natural body, as generated and nourished, as weak and dying, and it is afterwards a spiritual one, when raised from the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:46 In-Context

44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.
45 So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being” ; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit.
46 The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual.
47 The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven.
48 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.

Cross References 1

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