1 Corinthians 15:46
Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
Original Language Analysis
ἀλλὰ
Howbeit
G235
ἀλλὰ
Howbeit
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
1 of 11
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
οὐ
that was not
G3756
οὐ
that was not
Strong's:
G3756
Word #:
2 of 11
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνευματικόν
that which is spiritual
G4152
πνευματικόν
that which is spiritual
Strong's:
G4152
Word #:
5 of 11
non-carnal, i.e., (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (daemoniacally) a spirit (concretely), or (divinely) supernatural, regenerate, religiou
ἀλλὰ
Howbeit
G235
ἀλλὰ
Howbeit
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ψυχικόν
that which is natural
G5591
ψυχικόν
that which is natural
Strong's:
G5591
Word #:
8 of 11
sensitive, i.e., animate (in distinction on the one hand from g4152, which is the higher or renovated nature; and on the other from g5446, which is th
Historical Context
Gnostic and proto-Gnostic movements taught matter was inferior or evil, created by a lesser deity, and salvation meant escaping materiality for purely spiritual existence. Paul's sequence (natural then spiritual) affirms matter's goodness and God's intentional creative order. The spiritual age perfects, not negates, the natural.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the natural-then-spiritual order refute Greek dualism and Gnosticism?
- What does this teach about God's valuation of material creation and embodiment?
- How does understanding redemption as transformation (not escape) from natural to spiritual shape Christian earthly life?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural (ἀλλ' οὐ πρῶτον τὸ πνευματικὸν ἀλλὰ τὸ ψυχικόν)—Paul establishes God's temporal order: psychikon ("natural") precedes pneumatikon ("spiritual"). This refutes any view that spiritual realm is inherently superior or prior to material creation. Creation begins with physical/natural realm (Genesis 1-2), not Platonic eternal forms. God's plan unfolds in stages: natural first, spiritual afterward.
And afterward that which is spiritual (ἔπειτα τὸ πνευματικόν)—The adverb epeita (ἔπειτα, "then, afterward") indicates sequence, not replacement. The spiritual doesn't negate the natural but perfects it. Resurrection is not escape from embodiment but transformation of embodiment. This is anti-Gnostic: matter is not evil to be transcended but good creation to be redeemed.