The Church is the Second Eve

Christians have long recognized that Christ is prophesied not merely by explicit prophesies but also by type. By type I mean that certain people and events foreshadow Christ and his work. For example, Paul writes:

Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. (Romans 5:14)

Paul’s point here is that Adam prefigured Christ. Just as Adam and his fall led to sin and death spreading to all of his posterity, Christ and His success leads to righteousness and life for His people. This is why Christ is called the last Adam and the second Adam.

45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven. (1 Corinthians 15:45-47)

This, however, leads to an interesting question. If Adam is a type of Christ, who is the corresponding Eve to Christ’s Adam? Some believe that it’s Mary. For example, the Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church states:

"We believe that the Holy Mother of God, the new Eve, Mother of the Church, continues in heaven to exercise her maternal role on behalf of the members of Christ" (RCC 975)

But is this correct? Aside for the fact that Mary is a woman in the life of the Savior, there seem to be few parallels to Eve. Eve was the bride of Adam, so does Christ have a bride? In the spiritual sense, He does:

For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:11)

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:25-27)

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (Revelation 19:7)

And what was the function of Eve, Adam’s wife, supposed to be? She was supposed to be his helper.

And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. (Genesis 2:18)

And who is it that is a helper to Christ in His work? Is it merely Mary? Or is it the church that assists Christ in His mission of bringing His sheep into His kingdom?

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:18–20)

Conclusion

Christ indeed does have a bride, making Him the perfect antitype of Adam. However, in this case, the parallel isn’t to a particular person but the church as a whole. Christ as head brings people to into His kingdom through His saving work on the cross and through the application of that as His Spirit. We as the church get to help Christ in that labor through the earthly means of proclaiming the truth about Christ to those around us.