1 Corinthians 15:46 (GNV)

Passage

Howbeit that was not first which is spirituall: but that which is naturall, and afterward that which is spirituall.

Nearby Context

1 Corinthians 15:44 It is sowen a naturall body, and is raysed a spirituall body: there is a naturall body, and there is a spirituall body.

1 Corinthians 15:45 As it is also written, The first man Adam was made a liuing soule: and the last Adam was made a quickening Spirit.

1 Corinthians 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spirituall: but that which is naturall, and afterward that which is spirituall.

1 Corinthians 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthly: the second man is the Lord from heauen.

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

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "Spirit", "howbeit", "first", "spirituall", "naturall", and "afterward". 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 "As it is also 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.