1 Corinthians 15:45

So it is written. The reference is to Gen. 2:7. Paul paraphrases the statement, adding the words “first” and “Adam.”

Soul. Gr. psuche, from which psuchikos, “natural,” is derived (see on v. 44).

Last Adam. That is, Christ (see on Rom. 5:14). As men derive their earthly nature from the first man, Adam, so they obtain their resurrection bodies through Christ. The one is the head of the vast company who have a temporal existence; the other is the head of all who through faith in Him will, at His second coming, receive a spiritual body and enter into eternal life (see Rom. 5:15-18; 1 Cor. 15:51-54).

Quickening spirit. That is, a being who has the power to impart life. Adam became a “living soul,” but Christ is the life-giver. Jesus said that He had power to raise the dead (see John 5:21, 26; 11:25). He exercised this power in relation to this temporal, earthly life by raising certain ones from the dead (see Luke 7:14, 15; 8:54, 55). These demonstrations of His power to give life may be accepted as evidence of His power to raise the dead at His second advent.