According to Paul's point in verse 46, what is not first: the natural or the spiritual?
Paul's point in verse 46 is that the spiritual is not first. The natural comes first, and the spiritual follows afterward. This order reflects the first man Adam as earthy from the dust and the second man, the Lord from heaven, who is Christ.
Les explains that every genealogy, whether Old Testament or New, begins with the natural and then the spiritual. Paul makes this point in verse 46: the spiritual was not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. The first man, Adam, is of the earth and earthy, made from the dust; the second man is the Lord from heaven. Adam is the federal head of the human race, and because Adam fell, Christ is the second Adam who restores. Les also says he cannot prove this from Scripture, but he likes to think Adam before he sinned had a body identical to Christ's earthly appearance, since Adam was incorruptible and could have lived forever had he not fallen, while Christ did not fall.
Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
More Questions
Why did Paul say the natural came first and the spiritual came afterward?
Paul says in Scripture the natural Adam came first and the spiritual Christ came afterward, so the natural/spiritual order is Adam then Christ.
What did Paul mean when he said the natural came before the spiritual?
Paul's 'natural first, spiritual afterward' point refers to Adam as the natural man and Christ as the spiritual one who came afterward; everyone began with natural Adam.
What is the law of Scripture about the order of natural and spiritual?
Scripture follows the law that the natural comes first and then the spiritual.