BibleWord.ai› Bible› 1 Corinthians› Chapter 15› Verse 48

1 Corinthians 15:48

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Corinthians 15:48 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
1 Corinthians 15:48 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Corinthians 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
45So also it is written, The first man Adam became a living soul. The last Adam [became] a life-giving spirit.
46Howbeit that is not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; then that which is spiritual.
47The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is of heaven.
48As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
49And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
50Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
51Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed,
← 1 Corinthians 15:471 Corinthians 15:49 →
← Full Chapter 15 1 Corinthians Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy, etc.] As was Adam’s body, so are the bodies of those that descend from him; they are houses of clay, earthly houses of this tabernacle, which rise out of the earth, are maintained by the things of it, and return to it again: and as is the heavenly, such are, or will be they also that are heavenly; as is the glorious and spiritual body of Christ, the Lord from heaven, as that now is in heaven, and will be when he descends from thence; so will be the bodies of them that are heavenly, that are heaven born souls now, are partakers of the heavenly calling, and whose conversation is in heaven; and who, in the resurrection morn, will have…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“As is the earthy--namely, Adam. they . . . that are earthy--All Adam's posterity in their natural state (Joh 3:6-7). the heavenly--Christ. they . . . that are heavenly--His people in their regenerate state (Phi 3:20-21). As the former precedes the latter state, so the natural bodies precede the spiritual bodies.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“As is the earthy - Such as Adam was. Such are they also ... - Such are all his descendants; all who derive their nature from him. That is, they are frail, corruptible, mortal; they live in an animal body as he did, and like him, they are subject to corruption and decay. And as is the heavenly - As is he who was from heaven; as is the Lord Jesus now in is glorified body. “Such are they also, etc.” Such will they be also. They will be like him; they will have a body like his. This idea is more fully expressed in Philippians 3:21, “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body.” return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“They that are earthy - Who continue without any higher principle. They that are heavenly - Who receive a divine principle from heaven. 1 Corinthians 15:49”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“15:48 Earthly people (literally those of the dust): Like Adam, natural human beings are under the curse of sin and death. All return to dust (see Gen 3:19)—they all die. • heavenly people are like the heavenly man: Those who belong to Christ are like him in having an unending spiritual life.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“such are they also that are earthy: Co1 15:21, Co1 15:22; Gen 5:3; Job 14:4; Joh 3:6; Rom 5:12-21 and as: Phi 3:20, Phi 3:21 1 Corinthians 15:49”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read 1 Corinthians 15 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification