Paul presents Jesus Christ as both the last Adam, succeeding where the first Adam failed, and the second man, standing at the head of a new humanity.
The contrast between the first and second Adam
Romans 5:14 By his sin Adam brought universal misery on humanity. In this he is the foreshadower and prototype of Jesus Christ, who through his righteous act brings the universal hope of redemption.
Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who did not sin in the way that Adam transgressed. He is a pattern of the One to come.
The contrast in nature of the first Adam and the second Adam
Adam was a living being; Jesus Christ is a life-giving being
So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam a life-giving spirit.
Adam was natural, Jesus Christ is spiritual
The spiritual, however, was not first, but the natural, and then the spiritual.
Adam was earthly, Jesus Christ is heavenly
The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven.
The contrast in the consequences of the actions of the first Adam and the second Adam
Adam brought death, Jesus Christ brings life
Romans 5:15, Romans 5:17; 1 Corinthians 15:21–23
But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many!
For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ the firstfruits; then at His coming, those who belong to Him.
Adam brought judgment, Jesus Christ brings justification
Again, the gift is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment that followed one sin brought condemnation, but the gift that followed many trespasses brought justification.
So then, just as one trespass brought condemnation for all men, so also one act of righteousness brought justification and life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
The assurance this doctrine brings
1 Corinthians 15:48–49 See also Philippians 3:20–21
As was the earthly man, so also are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so also shall we bear the likeness of the heavenly man.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.