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RECONCILIATION AND FAILURE OF THE LAW111
(2) The nature and relation of Adam to the race (15:21,22; amplification 15:45,47 and 49)
`And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul (psuche, see psuchikos); the last Adam was
made a quickening (life-giving) Spirit' (pneuma, see pneumatikos) (15:45).
Here it is clear that the two bodies, the natural flesh and blood body (with its corruption, dishonour and
weakness), and the spiritual body (with its incorruption, glory and power), are directly associated with Adam and
Christ. Adam was made a living soul. Many theologians have sought to show from Genesis 2:7 that by this
statement man is differentiated from all else in creation, and is possessed of an immortal soul, which is often further
confounded with the spiritual part of man. When we know that the word translated `soul' comes in Genesis as
follows, `Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath soul' (1:20), and `creature' (1:21,24);
and `life' (1:30), we see that the word `soul' does not confer upon man any special dignity. Leviticus 17:11 says,
`the life (soul) of the flesh is in the blood'. Here we have the three words of 1 Corinthians 15:45-50 together. If this
Scriptural fact does not seem sufficient we shall find further teaching in the nature of Adam by reading
1 Corinthians 15:46,47 :
`Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The
first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven'.
Adam therefore when created was not `spiritual'; he was a natural man quite apart from sin. Christ is the
spiritual head of mankind, not Adam. Adam's nature is closely connected with his relation to the race:
`As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy ... we have borne the image of the earthy' (15:48,49).
(3) The nature and relation of Christ (15:20-22,28; amplification 15:45,47,49)
This is not fully revealed in the chapter, but only so far as the subject necessitates. The revelation is, however,
wonderful and basic. It has already been put in those pregnant words, `For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ
shall all be made alive'. Here these words are rounded out a little more. Christ is a life-giving spirit in contrast with
Adam who was of the earth, earthy. Then as to His relationship, Christ is the last Adam, and the second man. Here
are the two great heads of mankind. The earthy passes on the earthy image; the heavenly the heavenly image. This
image refers to the body; the earthy image being the natural body, the heavenly image the spiritual body.
All this necessitates the statement `flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God'. If we collect together all
that is said of Adam and Christ in 1 Corinthians 15 and Romans 5, we shall realize somewhat the fulness of this
theme. We should also realize that although the word reconciliation is not mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15, it is latent
in the subject.
(4) The abolition or destruction of death receives its interpretation here (15:26; amplification 15:54)
If verse 26 stood alone it would not be easy to decide whether resurrection was intended or whether the casting
of death into the lake of fire was in view. We are left without doubt by verses 54-57:
`So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall
be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O
grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God,
which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ'.
Death, the last enemy, is abolished by being swallowed up in victory. That victory is given to the believer
through the Lord Jesus Christ. It can be nothing else than the resurrection of the redeemed. The lake of fire cannot
be intended here. The second death is not the result of Adam's sin. It is foreign to the subject of 1 Corinthians 15.
(5) The time periods also receive explanation (15:24; amplification 15:54)
The end is attained `when He shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father', and this is not done until all
enemies are abolished, and all the redeemed are placed in their proper rank under Christ. The abolishing of death is
timed for us in 1 Corinthians 15:54 by the words, `When ... then'. Isaiah 25:8 contains the verse quoted in
1 Corinthians 15:54. It is in a context of Millennial administration: