Verse 49
Those born only of the first Adam, whom God equipped to live in the natural world, likewise exist in that world. However those born also of the last Adam, whom God equipped to live in the supernatural world by resurrection, also will exist in that world. Paul concluded this pericope by reminding his readers that bearing the image of the heavenly Adam was still future, and it is certain.
God’s intent to make man in His own image (Genesis 1:26) will finally reach fulfillment when believers eventually receive bodies that enable us to live in the spiritual sphere, as He does. God forming man out of the dust of the ground and breathing into his nostrils the breath of life was only the first step toward God realizing His goal. His creation of resurrection bodies for us will be the second and final step.
"The problem is that the Corinthians believed that they had already assumed the heavenly existence that was to be, an existence in the Spirit that discounted earthly existence both in its physical and in its behavioral expressions. What Paul appears to be doing once again is refuting both notions. They have indeed borne-and still bear-the likeness of the man of earth. Because of that they are destined to die. But in Christ’s resurrection and their being ’in him’ they have also begun to bear the likeness of the man of heaven. The urgency is that they truly do so now as they await the consummation when they shall do so fully." [Note: Fee, The First . . ., p. 795.]
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