Why does God always deal with the natural first and then the spiritual?
It is a fixed rule of God in His dealings with humanity: Scripture consistently presents the natural first and the spiritual afterward. Examples include Cain before Abel, Ishmael before Isaac, Esau before Jacob, Saul before David, and the first Adam before the last Adam. This pattern culminates with Antichrist preceding the true Christ.
Les explains that this order had to be so because it is one of the rules of God in His manifestation with the human race and one of the laws of Scripture. He points out that all through Scripture the pattern is first the natural, then the spiritual: Cain is presented before Abel, Ishmael before Isaac, Esau before Jacob, and King Saul before King David. The same pattern runs to the end of the Book, where the Antichrist, the man of sin, appears as the natural before the coming of the true Christ, the spiritual. Paul makes mention of this, and the first man, Adam, was of the earth and earthy, while the last Adam, Christ, was made a quickening or life-giving Spirit.
Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
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.
Where in Scripture do you see the pattern of first the natural and then the spiritual?
Scripture consistently reveals first the natural, then the spiritual. Paul notes this in verse 46, and it appears in Cain before Abel, Ishmael before Isaac, Esau before Jacob, Saul before David, and Antichrist before Christ. This is one of the laws of Scripture.
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.