1 Corinthians 15:47-48

1 Corinthians 15:47-48

[47] The first  man  is of  the earth,  earthy:  the second  man  from  heaven.  [48] As  is the earthy,  such  are they also  that are earthy:  and  as is  the heavenly,  such  also  that are heavenly. 

What does 1 Corinthians 15:47-48 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

God formed Adam out of dust to live on this planet ( Genesis 2:7). Jesus Christ had a heavenly origin. However, Paul seems to have meant more than this since he compared two human beings, "the first Adam" and "the last Adam." His emphasis seems to have been that the first Adam was fitted for life in this age with natural life whereas the last Adam was fitted for life in the age to come with spiritual life. God equipped both to live in the realm that they would occupy. Similarly the bodies we inherit from Adam are for earthly existence. The bodies we will receive from Christ at our resurrection will be for living in the spiritual realm. Paul was not speaking of heavenly existence as distinct from life in hell but as spiritual in contrast with earthly.
"Each race has the attributes of its Head. As a consequence of this law ... we who once wore the likeness of the earthly Adam shall hereafter wear that of the glorified Christ. What Adam was, made of dust to be dissolved into dust again, such are all who share his life; and what Christ Isaiah , risen and eternally glorified, such will be all those who share His life." [1]