In the Bible, Jesus Christ is referred to as the “second Adam” or “last Adam” in contrast to the first man, Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45). This analogy signifies that just as Adam was the head of the old creation, Christ is the head of the new creation. Let’s explore in more depth what it means that Jesus is the second Adam.
Adam as the First Man
Adam was the first man created by God and the representative head of the human race (Genesis 2:7). God created Adam in His own image and gave him dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:26-28). Adam walked in unbroken fellowship with God in the Garden of Eden. However, Adam disobeyed God’s command by eating the forbidden fruit, bringing sin and death into the world (Genesis 3:6-7; Romans 5:12). Through Adam’s sin, all humanity inherited a sinful nature and fell under condemnation (Romans 5:18-19).
As the first man and representative head of humanity, Adam’s disobedience had far-reaching consequences. His sin ushered in a reign of sin, suffering, and death over the earth. The image of God in man was marred and creation was plunged into futility (Romans 8:20). Adam’s original purpose to have dominion under God was thwarted. Instead of advancing God’s kingdom, the human race went its own way in rebellion against the Creator.
Jesus Christ as the Second Adam
The Bible presents Jesus Christ as the “last Adam” or “second man” who stands in contrast to the first Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45, 47). How exactly does Christ fulfill this role of the second Adam?
First, just as Adam was the head and representative of the old humanity, Christ is the head of a new humanity redeemed by His sacrifice. All who are united to Christ by faith have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and made new creations in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17). While in Adam all die, in Christ all can be made alive (1 Corinthians 15:22).
Secondly, Jesus reversed the disobedience of Adam through His perfect obedience. While Adam brought sin, curse, and death, Christ brought righteousness, blessing, and life. Romans 5:19 states, “For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.” Whereas Adam opened the floodgates of sin, Christ enables grace to reign through righteousness (Romans 5:21).
Thirdly, Jesus succeeded where Adam failed. He resisted temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), thereby undoing Adam’s capitulation to temptation in the Garden. He was obedient even to the point of death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). Because of His flawless obedience, Christ rightfully regained dominion over the earth that Adam had forfeited (Matthew 28:18). The kingdom mandate that Adam abandoned is now fulfilled in Christ (Revelation 11:15).
Fourthly, just as Adam’s sin brought death, so Christ’s sacrifice brings life. “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). Through faith in Christ’s redemptive work, the curse of sin is reversed and eternal life is granted. While Adam infected humanity with death, Christ offers resurrection life to all who believe in Him (1 Corinthians 15:21-22).
In summary, the analogy of Christ as the second Adam brings out the good news of the gospel. While in Adam we are under sin, condemnation, and death, in Christ we can receive the free gift of righteousness, justification, and life (Romans 5:12-21). Where Adam failed and plunged creation into futility, Christ succeeded and is even now advancing the kingdom of God and ushering in new creation.
Implications of Jesus as the Second Adam
Recognizing Jesus Christ as the second Adam has several important implications for the Christian life:
- Our identity is no longer in the first Adam but has been transferred to the second Adam. We are new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
- We have freedom from the reign of sin and death that came through Adam’s fall (Romans 6:14).
- We are called to live in holiness and obedience under Christ’s lordship, rather than giving in to sin’s desires (Romans 6:12-13).
- We look forward in hope to the full restoration of God’s kingdom on earth through Christ (Revelation 21:1-5).
- We take comfort that in Christ we receive far more than was ever lost in Adam – including righteousness, eternal life, and sonship with God (Romans 5:15-17).
Recognizing Christ as the victorious second Adam transforms how we view ourselves, our purpose, and our destiny. No longer are we trapped in sin and condemnation through Adam. Instead, we are alive and free from sin’s dominion through faith in our Savior, the second Adam. This truth offers great hope and assurance for all who put their trust in Christ alone.
Old Testament Foreshadowing
The concept of Jesus Christ as the second Adam has roots in the Old Testament. Various passages and themes foreshadow this typological understanding of Christ.
For example, Genesis 3:15 speaks prophetically of the “offspring” or “seed” of the woman who would crush the serpent’s head. This points forward to Christ conquering sin and Satan through His death on the cross.
Additionally, the Ark of Noah symbolized salvation through judgment – a parallel to Christ’s work in saving people through taking God’s judgment for sin on Himself (1 Peter 3:18-22). The Passover lamb (Exodus 12) also foreshadowed Christ as the ultimate Passover sacrifice (1 Corinthians 5:7).
The Temple furnishings illustrate how Christ fulfills the intended purpose of Old Covenant symbols. The bronze serpent (Numbers 21) represented Christ being lifted up for humanity’s healing. The sacrificial system pointed toward Christ as the ultimate once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:1-18).
Furthermore, the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7) established kings in the line of David whose righteous kingship would reflect attributes of God’s own rule. As the consummate heir to David’s throne, Jesus Christ fulfills the kingship motif in a way that Adam forfeited (Revelation 22:16).
Throughout the Old Testament, we see patterns, images, and symbols that illustrate human inadequacy and point toward a coming redeemer who would undo the curse of sin – Jesus Christ, the true second Adam.
Bible Passages on Jesus as the Second Adam
While only a handful of verses directly reference Christ as the “second” or “last” Adam, this concept permeates several key passages in the New Testament. Let’s look at some of the most salient references:
1 Corinthians 15:21-22
“For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”
This passage makes a direct contrast between Adam bringing death and Christ bringing life. Christ has reversed the curse of death from Adam’s sin through His redemptive work.
1 Corinthians 15:45
“Thus it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being’; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.”
Christ is explicitly contrasted to Adam as the “last Adam” or “second man” (v.47). The nature of the first Adam’s life stands in stark contrast to the life Christ imparts by the Spirit.
Romans 5:12, 15-19
“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin…But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass…then the free gift of God and the gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many… For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.”
Romans 5 details at length the typological relationship between Adam and Christ. Adam’s sin brought condemnation and death to all, while Christ’s sacrifice brought justification and life to all who believe.
Other References
Other verses like 1 Timothy 2:13-14 and Jude 14 make reference to Adam in relation to Christ’s redemptive work. Though not explicitly naming Christ as the “second Adam,” it is implied through the typological parallels presented.
How Old Testament Characters Point to Christ
Along with Adam, many other Old Testament people and events typologically foreshadowed Jesus Christ.
Abel
As the first martyr, Abel’s innocent blood “cries out from the ground” (Genesis 4:10), pointing forward to the unjust crucifixion of Christ.
Isaac
Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac (Genesis 22) foreshadows God the Father sacrificing His Son Jesus.
Joseph
Joseph’s betrayal by his brothers, yet ultimate saving of them from famine illustrates Christ’s rejection by His own people and His coming as the bread of life (John 6:48).
Moses
Moses typifies Christ as a mediator and deliverer who leads God’s people out of bondage into freedom (Exodus 3:7-10).
David
God’s promise to establish the throne of David forever through a coming heir points to Christ the Messiah as the Son of David (2 Samuel 7:12-16).
High Priest
The entire Levitical priesthood apparatus – with its sacrifices, tabernacle/temple system, holiness code, etc. – foreshadows the coming of the great High Priest, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 3-10).
Jesus as the True Israel
Not only is Christ the second Adam, but some scholars argue He is also the true Israel who fulfills God’s purposes for the nation of Israel. Let’s explore this connection:
As the seed of Abraham, Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s covenant with Abraham to bless all nations (Genesis 12:1-3; Galatians 3:16). While national Israel failed in its mission to be a light to the Gentiles, Christ succeeds in bringing salvation globally.
Christ embodies Israel’s calling to be a son of God (Exodus 4:22). Jesus models perfect sonship to the Father, even unto death. Through Him we become partakers of His adoption (Romans 8:15).
Jesus typifies the ideal Davidic king that God intended for Israel. Though the earthly kingdom fell, Jesus sits on the throne forever (Luke 1:32-33).
Christ fulfills the temple motif as the meeting place between God and man (John 2:19-21). He is the true high priest who offers the perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 9).
Just as Israel experienced exile because of disobedience, Jesus took humanity’s exile upon Himself, reconciling us to the Father (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).
Ultimately Christ succeeds where old covenant Israel failed. He rightly fulfills the redemptive role that God intended for Israel, extending salvation to the nations.
How Jesus Fulfills God’s Intended Order
Both Adam and Israel were appointed strategic roles in God’s kingdom plan, yet both failed because of sin. Jesus Christ came as the second Adam and true Israel who rightly fulfills the purpose of those who came before Him.
As the second Adam, Christ undoes the curse of Adam’s sin, defeats the reign of death, and restores us to life with God. He is the victorious King-Priest who rules God’s kingdom and accomplishes our redemption.
As the true Israel, Christ models perfect covenant obedience and sonship to the Father. Through Him the blessing of Abraham extends to all nations. He is the consummate heir who fulfills the destiny of old covenant Israel.
All human stratagems come short of God’s glory, but Jesus Christ perfectly achieves God’s intended order. Recognizing Christ’s typological role as the second Adam and true Israel instills great confidence that God’s kingdom purposes will triumph through the obedience of the Son.
