Commentaries:
Adam Clarke
The first man Adam was made a living soul - These forms of expression are also common among the Jews: hence we find Adam harishon , "Adam the first;" and Adam kadmai , " Adam the last." They assert that there are two Adams: 1. The mystical heavenly Adam; and 2. The mystical earthly Adam. See Sohar Exod., fol. 29; and the several examples in Schoettgen. The apostle says this is written: The first man Adam was made a living soul: this is found Genesis 2:7, in the words nishmath chaiyim , the breath of lives; which the apostle translates , a living soul.
The last Adam - a quickening spirit - This is also said to be written; but where, says Dr. Lightfoot, is this written in the whole sacred book? Schoettgen replies, In the very same verse, and in these words: vayehi ha - Adam lėnephesh chaiyah , and Adam became a living soul; which the apostle translates , a quickening, or life-giving spirit. Among the cabalistic Jews nephesh is considered as implying greater dignity than nishma . The former may be considered as pointing out the rational, the latter the sensitive soul. All these references to Jewish opinions and forms of speech the apostle uses to convince them that the thing was possible; and that the resurrection of the body was generally credited by all their wise and learned men. The Jews, as Dr. Lightfoot observes, speak frequently of the Spirit of the Messiah; and they allow that it was this Spirit that moved on the face of the waters, Genesis 1:2. And they assert that the Messiah shall quicken those who dwell in the dust.
"It ought not to be passed by," says the same author, "that Adam, receiving from God the promise of Christ - The seed of the woman shall bruise the head of the serpent, and believing it, named his wife Chauvah , that is, life; so the Septuagint, · And Adam called the name of his wife, Life. What! Is she called Life that brought death into the world? But Adam perceived , the last Adam exhibited to him in the promise, to be , , a quickening or life-giving spirit; and had brought in a better life of the soul; and should at last bring in a better life of the body. Hence is that saying, John 1:4 : ͅ , In Him was Life." Some contend that the first Adam and the last Adam mean the same person in two different states: the first man with the body of his creation; the same person with the body of his resurrection. See on I Corinthians 15:49 (note).
Other Adam Clarke entries containing 1 Corinthians 15:45:
2 Samuel 7:25
1 Corinthians 15:35
1 Corinthians 15:47
Ephesians 5:33
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