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Selected Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:45 - Darby
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 1Co 15:45 |
Darby |
Thus also it is written, The first man Adam became a living soul; the last Adam a quickening spirit. |
| |
King James |
And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
so--in accordance with the distinction just mentioned between the natural or animal-souled body and the spiritual body.
it is written-- (Gen 2:7); "Man became (was made to become) a living soul," that is, endowed with an animal soul, the living principle of his body.
the last Adam--the LAST Head of humanity, who is to be fully manifested in the last day, which is His day (Joh 6:39). He is so called in Job 19:25; see on Job 19:25 (compare Rom 5:14). In contrast to "the last," Paul calls "man" (Gen 2:7) "the FIRST Adam."
quickening--not only living, but making alive (Joh 5:21; Joh 6:33, Joh 6:39-40, Joh 6:54, Joh 6:57, Joh 6:62-63; Rom 8:11). As the natural or animal-souled body (Co1 15:44) is the fruit of our union with the first Adam, an animal-souled man, so the spiritual body is the fruit of our union with the second Adam, who is the quickening Spirit (Co2 3:17). As He became representative of the whole of humanity in His union of the two natures, He exhausted in His own person the sentence of death passed on all men, and giveth spiritual and everlasting life to whom He will. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
And so it is written, - Gen 2:7. It is only the first part of the verse which is quoted.
The first man Adam was made a living soul - This is quoted exactly from the translation by the Septuagint, except that the apostle has added the words "first" and "Adam." This is done to designate whom he meant. The meaning of the phrase "was made a living soul" (ἐγένετο εις ψυκὴν ζωσαν egeneto eis psuchēn zōsan - in Hebrew, נפשׁ חיה nephesh chayaah is, became a living, animated being; a being endowed with life. The use of the word "soul" in our translation, for ψυχὴ psuchē, and נפשׁ nephesh, does not quite convey the idea. We apply the word "soul," usually, to the intelligent and the immortal part of man; that which reasons, thinks, remembers, is conscious, is responsible, etc. The Greek and Hebrew words, however, more properly denote that which is alive, which is animated, which breathes, which has an animal nature, see the note on Co1 15:44. And this is precisely the idea which Paul uses here, that the first man was made an animated being by having breathed into him the breath of life Gen 2:7, and that it is the image of this animated or vital being which we bear, Co1 15:48. Neither Moses nor Paul deny that in addition to this, man was endowed with a rational soul, an immortal nature; but that is not the idea which they present in the passage in Genesis which Paul quotes.
The last Adam - The second Adam, or the "second man," Co1 15:47. That Christ is here intended is apparent, and has been usually admitted by commentators. Christ here seems to be called Adam because he stands in contradistinction from the first Adam; or because, as we derive our animal and dying nature from the one, so we derive our immortal and undying bodies from the other. From the one we derive an animal or vital existence; from the other we derive our immortal existence, and resurrection from the grave. The one stands at the head of all those who have an existence represented by the words, "a living soul;" the other of all those who shall have a spiritual body in heaven. He is called "the last Adam;" meaning that there shall be no other after him who shall affect the destiny of man in the same way, or who shall stand at the head of the race in a manner similar to what had been done by him and the first father of the human family. They sustain special relations to the race; and in this respect they were "the first" and "the last" in the special economy. The name "Adam" is not elsewhere given to the Messiah, though a comparison is several times instituted between him and Adam. (See the Supplementary Note on Co1 15:22; also Rom 5:12, note.)
A quickening spirit - (εἰς πνεῦμα ζωοποιοῦν eis pneuma zōopoioun. A vivifying spirit; a spirit giving or imparting life. Not a being having mere vital functions, or an animated nature, but a being who has the power of imparting life. This is not a quotation from any part of the Scriptures, but seems to be used by Paul either as affirming what was true on his own apostolic authority, or as conveying the substance of what was revealed respecting the Messiah in the Old Testament. There may be also reference to what the Saviour himself taught, that he was the source of life; that he had the power of imparting life, and that he gave life to all whom he pleased: see the note at Joh 1:4; note at Joh 5:26, "For as the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself." Co1 15:21, "for as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them, even so the Son quickeneth whom he will."
The word "spirit," here applied to Christ, is in contradistinction from "a living being," as applied to Adam, and seems to be used in the sense of spirit of life, as raising the bodies of his people from the dead, and imparting life to them. He was constituted not as having life merely, but as endowed with the power of imparting life; as endowed with that spiritual or vital energy which was needful to impart life. All life is the creation or production of "spirit" (Πνεῦμα Pneuma); as applied to God the Father, or the Son, or the Holy Spirit. Spirit is the source of all vitality. God is a spirit, and God is the source of all life. And the idea here is, that Christ had such a spiritual existence such power as a spirit; that he was the source of all life to his people. The word "spirit" is applied to his exalted spiritual nature, in distinction from his human nature, in Rom 1:4; Ti1 3:16; Pe1 3:18. The apostle does not here affirm that he had not a human nature, or a vital existence as a man; but that his main characteristic in contradistinction from Adam was, that he was endowed with an elevated spiritual nature, which was capable of imparting vital existence to the dead. |
| The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
was made
Omit italicized words "was made." |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
A living soul (ψυχὴν ζῶσαν)
See Gen 2:7. Here ψυχή passes into its personal sense - an individual personality (see Rom 11:4), yet retaining the emphatic reference to the ψυχή as the distinctive principle of that individuality in contrast with the πνεῦμα spirit following. Hence this fact illustrates the general statement there is a natural body: such was Adam's, the receptacle and organ of the ψυχή soul.
Last Adam
Christ. Put over against Adam because of the peculiar relation in which both stand to the race: Adam as the physical, Christ as the spiritual head. Adam the head of the race in its sin, Christ in its redemption. Compare Rom 5:14.
Quickening spirit (πνεῦμα ζωοποιοῦν)
Rev., life-giving. Not merely living, but imparting life. Compare Joh 1:4; Joh 3:36; Joh 5:26, Joh 5:40; Joh 6:33, Joh 6:35; Joh 10:10; Joh 11:25; Joh 14:6. The period at which Christ became a quickening Spirit is the resurrection, after which His body began to take on the characteristics of a spiritual body. See Rom 6:4; Pe1 1:21. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| The first Adam was made a living soul - God gave him such life as other animals enjoy: but the last Adam, Christ, is a quickening spirit - As he hath life in himself, so he quickeneth whom he will; giving a more refined life to their very bodies at the resurrection. Gen 2:7 |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
The first man Adam was made a living soul - These forms of expression are also common among the Jews: hence we find אדם הראשון Adam harishon, "Adam the first;" and אדם קדמאי Adam kadmai, " Adam the last." They assert that there are two Adams: 1. The mystical heavenly Adam; and 2. The mystical earthly Adam. See Sohar Exod., fol. 29; and the several examples in Schoettgen. The apostle says this is written: The first man Adam was made a living soul: this is found Gen 2:7, in the words נשמת חיים nishmath chaiyim, the breath of lives; which the apostle translates ψυχην ζωσαν, a living soul.
The last Adam - a quickening spirit - This is also said to be written; but where, says Dr. Lightfoot, is this written in the whole sacred book? Schoettgen replies, In the very same verse, and in these words: ויהי האדם לנפש חיה vayehi ha - Adam lėnephesh chaiyah, and Adam became a living soul; which the apostle translates πνευμα ζωοποιουν, a quickening, or life-giving spirit. Among the cabalistic Jews נפש nephesh is considered as implying greater dignity than נשמה nishma. The former may be considered as pointing out the rational, the latter the sensitive soul. All these references to Jewish opinions and forms of speech the apostle uses to convince them that the thing was possible; and that the resurrection of the body was generally credited by all their wise and learned men. The Jews, as Dr. Lightfoot observes, speak frequently of the Spirit of the Messiah; and they allow that it was this Spirit that moved on the face of the waters, Gen 1:2. And they assert that the Messiah shall quicken those who dwell in the dust.
"It ought not to be passed by," says the same author, "that Adam, receiving from God the promise of Christ - The seed of the woman shall bruise the head of the serpent, and believing it, named his wife חוה Chauvah, that is, life; so the Septuagint, και εκαλεσεν Αδαμ το ονονα της γυναικος αυτου Ζωη· And Adam called the name of his wife, Life. What! Is she called Life that brought death into the world? But Adam perceived τον εσχατον Αδαμ, the last Adam exhibited to him in the promise, to be πνευμα ζωο, ποιουν, a quickening or life-giving spirit; and had brought in a better life of the soul; and should at last bring in a better life of the body. Hence is that saying, Joh 1:4 : Εν αυτῳ ζωη ην, In Him was Life." Some contend that the first Adam and the last Adam mean the same person in two different states: the first man with the body of his creation; the same person with the body of his resurrection. See on Co1 15:49 (note). |
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, but where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body: if there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual one.
11 But if the Spirit of him that has raised up Jesus from among the dead dwell in you, he that has raised up Christ from among the dead shall quicken your mortal bodies also on account of his Spirit which dwells in you.
62 If then ye see the Son of man ascending up where he was before?
63 It is the Spirit which quickens, the flesh profits nothing: the words which I have spoken unto you are spirit and are life.
57 As the living Father has sent me and I live on account of the Father, he also who eats me shall live also on account of me.
54 He that eats my flesh and drinks my blood has life eternal, and I will raise him up at the last day:
39 And this is the will of him that has sent me, that of all that he has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up in the last day.
40 For this is the will of my Father, that every one who sees the Son, and believes on him, should have life eternal; and I will raise him up at the last day.
33 For the bread of God is he who comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world.
21 For even as the Father raises the dead and quickens them, thus the Son also quickens whom he will:
7 And Jehovah Elohim formed Man, dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and Man became a living soul.
14 but death reigned from Adam until Moses, even upon those who had not sinned in the likeness of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him to come.
25 And as for me, I know that my Redeemer liveth, and the Last, he shall stand upon the earth;
25 And as for me, I know that my Redeemer liveth, and the Last, he shall stand upon the earth;
39 And this is the will of him that has sent me, that of all that he has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up in the last day.
7 And Jehovah Elohim formed Man, dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and Man became a living soul.
18 for Christ indeed has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in flesh, but made alive in the Spirit,
16 And confessedly the mystery of piety is great. God has been manifested in flesh, has been justified in the Spirit, has appeared to angels, has been preached among the nations, has been believed on in the world, has been received up in glory.
4 marked out Son of God in power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by resurrection of the dead) Jesus Christ our Lord;
21 For since by man came death, by man also resurrection of those that are dead.
26 For even as the Father has life in himself, so he has given to the Son also to have life in himself,
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
12 For this cause, even as by one man sin entered into the world, and by sin death; and thus death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
22 For as in the Adam all die, thus also in the Christ all shall be made alive.
47 the first man out of the earth, made of dust; the second man, out of heaven.
48 Such as he made of dust, such also those made of dust; and such as the heavenly one, such also the heavenly ones.
7 And Jehovah Elohim formed Man, dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and Man became a living soul.
44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body: if there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual one.
7 And Jehovah Elohim formed Man, dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and Man became a living soul.
21 who by him do believe on God, who has raised him from among the dead and given him glory, that your faith and hope should be in God.
4 We have been buried therefore with him by baptism unto death, in order that, even as Christ has been raised up from among the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in newness of life.
6 Jesus says to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father unless by me.
25 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life: he that believes on me, though he have died, shall live;
10 The thief comes not but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I am come that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.
35 And Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger, and he that believes on me shall never thirst at any time.
33 For the bread of God is he who comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world.
40 and ye will not come to me that ye might have life.
26 For even as the Father has life in himself, so he has given to the Son also to have life in himself,
36 He that believes on the Son has life eternal, and he that is not subject to the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides upon him.
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
14 but death reigned from Adam until Moses, even upon those who had not sinned in the likeness of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him to come.
4 But what says the divine answer to him? I have left to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed knee to Baal.
7 And Jehovah Elohim formed Man, dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and Man became a living soul.
7 And Jehovah Elohim formed Man, dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and Man became a living soul.
49 And as we have borne the image of the one made of dust, we shall bear also the image of the heavenly one.
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
2 And the earth was waste and empty, and darkness was on the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
7 And Jehovah Elohim formed Man, dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and Man became a living soul.