The firstfruits] The first sheaf accepted by God is a pledge of the coming harvest: cp. Leviticus 23:10;

21, 22. The Apostle, as in Romans 5, contrasts Adam, from whom by natural descent we all derive a corrupt nature, with Christ the second Adam, the Son of man, our spiritual head, by union with whom we receive spiritual life. All.. all] The first 'all' means, of course, all mankind. The second may mean the same, in which case shall be made alive simply refers to resurrection, whether to life or to judgment (John 5:28 cp. Daniel 12:2; Acts 24:15). But perhaps more probably it means only, 'all those who are Christ's' (1 Corinthians 15:23), who shall enjoy the 'resurrection of life.' Cp. 1 Corinthians 15:23, 'Christ the firstfruits: then they that are Christ's.'

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