1 Corinthians 15:21

In the expression ἀπαρχή, first-fruits, there was implicitly contained the notion of a community of nature between Christ and us. For the ear gathered as first-fruits is corn like all the rest. This is the idea which the apostle expounds in this verse. As it was by a member of the human family that it was smitten with death, so it is by a member of the family that it must obtain resurrection. The Apostle Paul here proclaims the idea with arresting solemnity: that death and resurrection are human facts, that is to say, the causality of them belongs to man himself. The idea is not exactly the same as that expressed in Romans 5:12 seq., though closely connected with it. In the passage of Romans, the emphasis is on εἷς, one, in opposition to many: one involving the many in his death, and one in His salvation. Here there is no εἷς; the emphasis is on ἀνθρώπου, man. It is the truly human origin of these two opposite phases in the existence of humanity which Paul wishes to set in relief. By man subjection to death was imposed on men; by man there must come to them the power of rising again. It is for man to repair the evil done by man.

In 1 Corinthians 15:21 there is stated, in the form of an abstract law, the necessary correlation between these two analogous but opposite facts. In 1 Corinthians 15:22 the two historical personalities will be contrasted with one another in whom this colossal antithesis has been realized.