Christ as Life-giving Spirit (1 Cor 15:45) in Ancient Christian Reception
Christ as Life-giving Spirit (1 Cor 15:45) in Ancient Christian Reception

Summary/Abstract: In Paul’s chapter on the resurrection of the dead we read, “Thus it is written, «the first human, Adam, became a living being»; the last Adam became life-giving Spirit” (1 Cor 15:45, my trans.). This paper deals with the reception of the last words of this text in ancient Christianity. Generally, they were understood to regard the spiritual vivification of human beings who had come to believe in Christ, so that he, as lifegiving Spirit, brought about this regeneration. Several authors relate this clause also, or in the first place, to the final resurrection. Moreover, Origen and Didymus apply it to believers who became a “lifegiving spirit” themselves. 1 Cor 15:45c was also quoted in the Christological debates as a proof text either of Christ’s humanity (Adam) and his divinity (Spirit), or of his humanity, without downplaying his divinity, or of his divinity without denying his humanity, or of his divinity exclusively (Apollinaris). Theodore of Mopsuestia conceives it as a reference to Christ’s own resurrection. To several ancient authors this rare expression must have been puzzling.

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