For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

1 CORINTHIANS 15:21KJV
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1 Corinthians 15:21 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 15:21 mean?

1 Corinthians 15:21 explains that death entered the world through a human being, and in the same way, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a human being. The verse draws a parallel between the role of one man in bringing death and another man in bringing resurrection.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, addressing questions about resurrection and the future hope for believers. He points out that just as humanity experienced death because of one man (often understood as Adam), the hope of resurrection comes through another man (understood as Jesus). This sets up a contrast that helps the Corinthians see the significance of Jesus’ resurrection for everyone.

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 15:21

  • ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos, "man"): This word means "human being" and is used twice to emphasize that both death and resurrection come through a representative human. Paul’s choice of this word highlights the shared human experience and the representative roles of Adam and Jesus.
  • ἀνάστασις (anastasis, "resurrection"): This word means "rising up" or "standing up again," and here it refers to the future resurrection of the dead. The use of this term makes clear that Paul is talking about a bodily resurrection, not just a spiritual idea.
  • νεκρός (nekros, "dead"): This word means "dead ones" or "the dead," showing that the resurrection Paul describes is for those who have physically died, not just a metaphorical or spiritual renewal.

Why 1 Corinthians 15:21 matters

  • 1 Corinthians 15:21 clarifies that both death and resurrection are tied to real, historical humans, not abstract forces or ideas. This grounds Christian hope in actual events.
  • The verse helps the reader see the wider argument Paul is making in 1 Corinthians 15 about the reality and importance of resurrection, countering doubts some in Corinth had about life after death.
  • By connecting Adam and Jesus, Paul sets up a broader biblical theme of representation, showing how what happened through one affects all, which is key to understanding the rest of the chapter.