The Creation of Man in Genesis 1 VS The Formation of Man in Genesis 2

 

The Creation of Man in Genesis 1 VS The Formation of Man in Genesis 2

Genesis 1:26 “Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over every creature that moves along the ground.’”

Genesis 1:27 “So God created mankind in his own image…and he made them male and female.”

Genesis 2:7 “Then the Lord God formed man out of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.”

Genesis 2:18 “It is not good for the man to be alone…he shall make a helper suitable for him.” 

Aspect	Genesis 1 (1:1–2:4a) — Creation of Humanity	Genesis 2 (2:4b–25) — Formation of Man and Woman
Name of Section	“Account of the Creation of  Heaven and Earth”	“The Generations of  the Earth and the Heavens”
Name of God Used	Elohim — God the Creator of the universe	YHWH Elohim — the LORD God, relational and covenantal
Order of Creation	Six-day sequential creation:  Light → Firmament → Land/Plants → Heavenly Luminaries → Animals → Humanity (male & female together)	Human-centered sequence: Man formed → Garden planted → Animals brought → Woman built from Adam’s rib
Mode of Creation	God speaks (“Let there be…”) and it comes to pass—majestic, sovereign, cosmic power	God forms, shapes, breathes—personal, intimate, relational actions
Primary Focus	God’s sovereignty, cosmic order, humanity’s dignity in God’s image	God’s relationship with humanity: life, responsibility, companionship
Theological Emphasis	God as the sovereign King; Image-bearing; Dominion and stewardship	God as covenantal Lord; Life, obedience, work, fellowship, marriage
Style / Literary Form	Poetic, liturgical, rhythmic (“And God said… And there was evening and morning…”)	Narrative, descriptive, warm, personal (describes forming, breathing, walking)
Meaning	Humanity is created as God’s image to represent Him in His creation	Humanity is formed for life, fellowship with God, and for divine purpose
Reason / Background	Shows God’s universal dominion and the place of mankind in creation	Shows how God personally involves Himself with man’s life, function, and relationships
Distinction	Corporate, universal, cosmic perspective	Personal, specific, relational, intimate
Typology	Image and dominion signify Christ as God’s true image (Col. 1:15)	Adam and Eve typify Christ and the church (Eph. 5:31–32)
Function	To bear God’s image and rule the earth	To receive life, enjoy God, cultivate, keep, and build relationship
Purpose	To represent God outwardly in dominion	To express God inwardly by life and relationship
Mutual Relationship	Genesis 1 = mankind’s positional identity; Genesis 2 = mankind’s life reality	They interpret each other —identity + inner life
Examples	Royal privilege (1:26–28)	Life-breathing, garden service, marriage  (2:7, 2:15, 2:18–24)
Application	Recognize dignity, calling, stewardship	Live by God’s life, fellowship, obedience, marriage life
Burden	God desires an image-bearing people on earth	God desires a people who live by His life and walk with Him
Prophetic Speaking Guide	Speak God’s intention for man to express Him and represent Him	Speak God’s heart for life, relationship, obedience, and building
Conclusion	Genesis 1 reveals man’s position and commission	Genesis 2 reveals man’s life, relationship, and building
Related Scriptures	Genesis Chapter 1: God's Image and Dominion   1:26 "God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over every creature that moves along the ground.'" 1:27 "So God created mankind in his own image…and he made them male and female." 1:28 "God blessed them…and told them to be multiply and increase in number, and to fill the earth and subdue it and rule over every living creature."	Genesis Chapter 2: Life, Composition, Partner, and Building 2:7 "Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living soul." 2:18 "It is not good for the man to be alone… He shall make a helper suitable for him." 2:21–22 God caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep → took a rib → formed it into a woman → and brought her to Adam. 2:23 "Bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh… she shall be called woman." 2:24 "Then a man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."

 

⭐ Key Takeaways Summary 

I. Genesis Chapter 1 – God's Grand Purpose

• God's Image (Manifestation)

• God's Authority (Management)

• Humanity as a "Corporate Community" Represents God

 

II. Genesis Chapter 2 – The Life Path to Achieving the Purpose

• God Breathes the Breath of Life into Man → The Source of Life

• Trees (Life) vs. Rivers (Supply) vs. Gold, Pearls, and Onyx (Building Materials)

• Woman Built by Man → Foreshadowing the Church's Descent from Christ

 

III. The Combined Revelation of the Two Chapters

• Chapter 1: Purpose (What God Wants)

• Chapter 2: The Way (How God Gains It)

“The Two Aspects of Christ as the Believers’ Righteousness: Objective Righteousness vs. Subjective Righteousness”

 

“The Two Aspects of Christ as the Believers’ Righteousness: Objective Righteousness vs. Subjective Righteousness”

Romans 3:25 Whom God set forth as a propitiation place through faith in His blood…

Romans 3:26 That He might be righteous and the One who justifies him who is of the faith of Jesus.

1 Peter 2:24a Who Himself bore up our sins in His body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness. 

Aspect	Objective Righteousness	Subjective Righteousness
Meaning	Christ is the believers’ righteousness so that at repentance and faith in Christ they are justified objectively before God, being accepted by God outwardly.	Christ is the believers’ righteousness lived out from within them, expressing God in their living; this becomes their subjective justification before God.
Reason	Humans cannot meet God’s righteous requirement; God gives Christ as righteousness to cover and justify those who believe.	God desires not only to forgive but to gain a people who express Him through righteous living issuing from the divine life.
Distinction	Outward, objective, once-for-all, positional, judicial, for acceptance before God; like clothing covering the sinner.	Inward, experiential, progressive, lived out daily, organic; like life being supplied and expressed in righteous deeds.
Types  (Typology)	The best robe (Luke 15:22); the queen’s outer garment (Psa. 45:13–14); the wedding garment (Matt. 22:11–12).	The fattened calf (Luke 15:23); the queen’s embroidered inner garment;  the fine linen of Rev. 19:8 (the righteous deeds of the saints).
Illustrations	→ A robe covering the sinner → Immediate acceptance before God → A judicial verdict of “not guilty”	→ Eating the fattened calf → The wedding garment (positional righteousness) → Life supply becoming inward constitution → Righteousness expressed in behavior → Fine linen: the righteousnesses lived out
Mutual Relationship	Objective righteousness is the beginning. Without the covering robe, there is no standing before God.	Subjective righteousness is the issue. The inward life supply produces righteous living as the expression of Christ.
Examples in Scripture	The prodigal son receiving the robe; believers immediately justified at salvation (Acts 13:39; Rom. 3).	Peter living a righteous life after the Lord’s resurrection (1 Pet. 2:24). Believers living honesty, purity, meekness, and holiness.
Application	Stand firmly on Christ as our righteousness. Do not rely on works. Reject self-condemnation; trust His blood and righteousness.	Daily enjoy Christ as life—pray, read, fellowship—so that righteousness is lived out in attitudes, words, and conduct.
Burden	That believers see justification is by faith alone, relying only on Christ, not works or self-effort.	That believers would express Christ as practical righteousness, becoming His testimony on the earth.
Prophesying Guidelines	Declare: — “I am justified in Christ!” — “Christ is my robe of righteousness!”	Declare: — “This righteousness is of God!” — “Christ is my life!” — “I live Christ daily!” — “The righteousness I express is Christ Himself!”
Expanded Scriptures	Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; Acts 13:39 By Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. Galatians 3:24 The law has become our child-conductor unto Christ that we might be justified by faith. Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.	Romans 4:25 Who was delivered for our offenses and was raised for our justification. James 2:24 A man is justified by works and not by faith only. Matthew 5:20 Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall by no means enter into the kingdom of the heavens. Revelation 19:8 …the fine linen is the righteousnesses of the saints.

 

Conclusion: 

Objective righteousness gives us standing before God.

Subjective righteousness produces the expression of God in our living.

  

*Please refer to the May 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training, General Topic: Matthew Chapters 5-7, Week 8: Seeking First the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.