Since death came through a man
1 Corinthians 15:21 NIV - Christ’s death and resurrection made it possible for believers to be resurrected into eternal life.
“For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.”
1 Corinthians 15:21 NIV
This verse from Paul’s first epistle to the church of Corinth almost sounds like a riddle, but it contains the most important truth in the Bible.
1 Corinthians Chapter 15 is divided into three sections: The Resurrection of Christ, The Resurrection of the Dead, and The Resurrection Body. In the first section, Paul testifies to the resurrection of Jesus and His appearance to many people after the resurrection. Paul, of course, is one of those to whom Jesus appeared, turning his career from persecutor of Christians to one of Christianity’s primary proponents.
The second section (from which today’s verse is taken) presents Paul’s convincing and logical proof of the resurrection of the dead. I found this sobering commentary about the verse following today’s (1 Corinthians 15:22) on Enduring Word:
Does this mean everyone is resurrected? Yes and no. All will be resurrected in the sense that they will receive a resurrection body and live forever. Jesus plainly spoke of both the resurrection of life and the resurrection of condemnation (John 5:29). So, all are resurrected, but not all will receive the resurrection of life. Some will receive the resurrection of condemnation, and live forever in a resurrected body in hell.
The final section details the difference between the mortal body — which began with Adam — and the resurrection body — created in Christ. Today’s verse also refers to both Adam and Jesus Christ.
Adam is the first man in the verse — “For since death came through a man”. The progenitor of the human race, Adam brought all of mankind under the sentence of death by his sin as described in Genesis 3:19. In Romans 5:12-21 and in this verse, Paul describes Jesus Christ as a type of Adam who brings resurrection life to all who believe in Him — “the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.” Jesus resurrected is the second Man in the verse.
Paul lays out the truth of death and resurrection in this one short verse, explaining both the reason for death (sin, thanks to Adam) and its solution (resurrection and eternal life, thanks to Jesus Christ). Adam’s life brought death to all of humanity, including believers. Christ’s death and resurrection made it possible for believers to be resurrected into eternal life.
In this quote from the Holman New Testament Commentary cited on Precept Austin, Richard Pratt notes that:
Paul next explained in what sense Christ was raised as the firstfruits of all who would be raised, arguing for a symmetry in God’s dealings with the human race (see also Rom. 5:12-19). In the first place, the record of Genesis makes it plain that death came through a man. Adam’s sin was more than a personal transgression; it brought guilt and the divine judgment of death on all humanity. Since it was through Adam that death came, it should not be surprising that the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. In many passages Paul pointed out that God considered Christ’s experience on earth much more than one persons experience. What happened to him in his death and resurrection happens to all who believe in him.
And to that, we say Amen!
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I come before You with gratitude for the profound truth found in this verse. Thank You for the gift of life through Jesus Christ, who overcame death. I acknowledge that through one man, Adam, sin entered the world, but through another man, Jesus, we have the hope of resurrection. Strengthen my faith in Your promises and remind me of the eternal life that awaits all who believe in Him. Empower me to share this message of hope with others. I pray that many will come to know the truth of Your Word and the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. AMEN