1 Corinthians 15:46 (ASV)

Passage

Howbeit that is not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; then that which is spiritual.

Nearby Context

1 Corinthians 15:44 it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual [body].

1 Corinthians 15:45 So also it is written, The first man Adam became a living soul. The last Adam [became] a life-giving spirit.

1 Corinthians 15:46 Howbeit that is not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; then that which is spiritual.

1 Corinthians 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is of heaven.

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

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "Spirit", "howbeit", "first", "spiritual", and "natural". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "Spirit" and "howbeit", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 45's "So also it is written The first..." into verse 47's "The first man is of the earth...", so "Spirit" and "howbeit" belong inside that flow. In 1 Corinthians context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "Spirit" and "howbeit" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.