Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
Parallel translations
- WEB However that which is spiritual isn’t first, but that which is natural, then that which is spiritual.
- BSB The spiritual, however, was not first, but the natural, and then the spiritual.
- NKJV However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.
- NASB However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual.
- NLT What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The natural comes first, then the spiritual. It matters because it shows God's ordained order from present life to resurrection glory.
Overview
Paul clarifies the sequence: the natural body precedes the spiritual, just as Adam came before Christ. This order reflects God's plan that present earthly existence gives way to glorified life. It assures believers that the spiritual body is the destined goal, not a present possession to be claimed prematurely.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- Rom 6:6Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
- Col 3:9–10Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
- Eph 4:22–24That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
How 1 Corinthians 15:46 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.