1 Corinthians 15 - the natural and the spiritual order

[JonC]

Again, that is not how I define spiritually alive.

I understand the passage to be speaking of the resurrection and resurrected bodies. The first Adam is natural, the last Adam spiritual, becoming a life giving Spirit (I see the first Adam as Adam, the Last Adam as Christ).

Do we have spiritual bodies currently? Are we spiritually alive?

This is a good point. I do believe we have spiritual life as we have the indwelling of the Spirit and are sealed (knowing we will be what we are not now). At the same time we die to the flesh daily. Do in this life I would say we are in the process of being conformed tnti what we will be.

This would give the possibility that Adam was also in the same state (the indwelling of the Spirit and a spirit inclined to the flesh).

My objection is this does not seem to me a biblical representation of "spiritual life" because it proved temporary. I also do not see enough biblical evidence for me to hold that view.

I also think we may not agree on the definition of "spiritual life" in terms of a "pre-Fall state". We may be talking past each other a bit.

 

[JonC]

@davidtaylorjr,

I have been looking but I am on my phone. I believe you defined "spiritual life" but for the life of me I cannot find the post (I'm sure I read it earlier).

If you don't mind, will you repost your definition?

Thanks

 

[Aaron]

On another thread a member made an interpretation that I have never considered. I believe it is wrong (that the member is reading theories into the passage) but have discovered there are many interpretations of passages I have not considered.

1 Corinthians 15:42-49
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body;
43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power;
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 also it is written, "The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual.
47 The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven.
48 As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly.
49 Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly.

I have always considered the "last Adam" who "became a life-giving spirit", the "second man" who is" from heaven" to refer to Christ. I have been told this is an ignorant view demonstrating a lack of knowledge - that instead this is referring to Adam having a physical body and then a spiritual life (first natural, then spiritual).



The reason this is important is so much of my theology is actually based on Christ as this "last Adam who became a life-giving spirit". I never considered that it could refer to Adam obtaining spiritual life. I believe it is an incorrect interpretation but am open to how it is defended.

The question is - Is this passage speaking about the first Adam (Adam) and the last Adam (Christ) or is it speaking of the natural and spiritual aspects of Adam?

The list of those with faith, or 'spiritual' life, begins with Abel, not Adam. So the last Adam is Christ only.

 

[JonC]

The list of those with faith, or 'spiritual' life, begins with Abel, not Adam. So the last Adam is Christ only.

I don't believe faith is spiritual life but that those with faith (those who believe in Christ) are given spiritual life.

But point taken. You are right about the list of faith.

 

[37818]

The question is - Is this passage speaking about the first Adam (Adam) and the last Adam (Christ) or is it speaking of the natural and spiritual aspects of Adam?

Who became the life giving Spirit? 1 John 5:12, ". . . He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. . . ." Romans 8:9, ". . . Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. . . ."

 

[HeirofSalvation]

First Adam had a physical body first. Then a spiritual body second.
Jesus had a physical body in the incarnation, then a spiritual body when raised and ascended.

Wait....what?


Are you denying the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ???
What is this?

 

[Reformed1689]

Wait....what?


Are you denying the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ???
What is this?

I think he meant glorified body.

 

[Yeshua1]

That would be heresy, if that what was being asserted there!

 

[Yeshua1]

I think he meant glorified body.

I agree with you that what was probably meant!

 

[Aaron]

I think he meant glorified body.

1 Corinthians 15:44

 

[HeirofSalvation]

I think he meant glorified body.

Probably. That makes sense, thanks.

 

[asterisktom]

I have never seen a post by you that could be deemed as dishonest or intentionally misrepresent others positions or posts. Not even when I disagree with you.

Agreed. JonC, You are one of the most courteous posters here.