1 Corinthians 15:45

Authorized King James Version

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And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

Original Language Analysis

οὕτως so G3779
οὕτως so
Strong's: G3779
Word #: 1 of 17
in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)
καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 2 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
γέγραπται it is written G1125
γέγραπται it is written
Strong's: G1125
Word #: 3 of 17
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
Ἐγένετο was made G1096
Ἐγένετο was made
Strong's: G1096
Word #: 4 of 17
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 5 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρῶτος The first G4413
πρῶτος The first
Strong's: G4413
Word #: 6 of 17
foremost (in time, place, order or importance)
ἄνθρωπος man G444
ἄνθρωπος man
Strong's: G444
Word #: 7 of 17
man-faced, i.e., a human being
Ἀδὰμ Adam G76
Ἀδὰμ Adam
Strong's: G76
Word #: 8 of 17
adam, the first man; typically (of jesus) man (as his representative)
εἰς was made G1519
εἰς was made
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 9 of 17
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ψυχὴν soul G5590
ψυχὴν soul
Strong's: G5590
Word #: 10 of 17
breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh
ζῶσαν a living G2198
ζῶσαν a living
Strong's: G2198
Word #: 11 of 17
to live (literally or figuratively)
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 12 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔσχατος the last G2078
ἔσχατος the last
Strong's: G2078
Word #: 13 of 17
farthest, final (of place or time)
Ἀδὰμ Adam G76
Ἀδὰμ Adam
Strong's: G76
Word #: 14 of 17
adam, the first man; typically (of jesus) man (as his representative)
εἰς was made G1519
εἰς was made
Strong's: G1519
Word #: 15 of 17
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
πνεῦμα spirit G4151
πνεῦμα spirit
Strong's: G4151
Word #: 16 of 17
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
ζῳοποιοῦν a quickening G2227
ζῳοποιοῦν a quickening
Strong's: G2227
Word #: 17 of 17
to (re-)vitalize (literally or figuratively)

Analysis & Commentary

And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul (οὕτως καὶ γέγραπται, Ἐγένετο ὁ πρῶτος ἄνθρωπος Ἀδὰμ εἰς ψυχὴν ζῶσαν)—Paul quotes Genesis 2:7 (LXX). God breathed neshamah (נְשָׁמָה, "breath of life") into Adam, who became nephesh chayyah (נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה, "living soul/being"), psychēn zōsan (ψυχὴν ζῶσαν) in Greek. Adam's life was psychikos—natural, earthy, mortal.

The last Adam was made a quickening spirit (ὁ ἔσχατος Ἀδὰμ εἰς πνεῦμα ζωοποιοῦν)—Christ is ho eschatos Adam (ὁ ἔσχατος Ἀδάμ, "the Last Adam"), the second head of humanity, inaugurating new creation. The phrase pneuma zōopoioun (πνεῦμα ζωοποιοῦν, "life-giving Spirit") indicates Christ's resurrection body, animated and empowered by the Spirit, imparts resurrection life to believers. Christ doesn't merely have life; He gives life (John 5:21, 6:63).

Historical Context

Adam-Christ typology is distinctively Pauline (Romans 5:12-21). Jewish theology had no 'Last Adam' category. Paul's innovation: Christ reverses Adam's curse, inaugurating new humanity. Adam brought death; Christ brings life. Adam's body was psychikos; Christ's resurrection body is pneumatikos. Believers, united to Christ, will share His resurrection body type.

Questions for Reflection

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