Having recently exhorted the consequences for denying resurrection to his Corinthian audience, Paul now compares physical and spiritual bodies.
Some Christians in Corinth were struggling with an important question, if the resurrection is true, and God’s promise is fulfilled, then what bodies do those resurrected have? In the next section of his epistle to the Corinthian church, Paul sheds light on the issue involving the type of bodies we will inherit in heaven.
“35 But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?” (1 Corinthians 15:35)
A complex process to understand by a narrow minded church, the apostle provides guidance for Corinthians skeptics through a metaphor by which life stems from dead.
“36 Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. 37 And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain—perhaps wheat or some other grain.” (1 Corinthians 15:36-37)
Using grain as the dead body to be resurrected as a crop, Paul exhorts the fact the body also must first die before it can be risen from the dead.
“38 But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body. 39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds.” (1 Corinthians 15:38-39)
Making reference to the time of creation when God gave each person their own body, to one day serve Him willingly, and gloriously. Paul separates the various breeds within God’s creation by the earthly flesh.
“40 There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.” (1 Corinthians 15:40-41)
The apostle now separates both the spiritual and physical bodies. He is focusing on the glory of each celestial and terrestrial bodies which he enumerates along with other elements of God’s creation.
“42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.” (1 Corinthians 15:42-44)
Paul compares the resurrection to a sinful seed, having died now sowed to rise in its new body, a celestial body assigned by God almighty, in all its glory. What was once dead is now risen in spirit.
“45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.” (1 Corinthians 15:45)
Adam was God’s physical creation which led to sin and death, whereas through faith, Jesus, “The last Adam”leads to resurrection.
“46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.” (1 Corinthians 15:46-47)
Paul cites the obvious, that creations of God must first be born physically before we can receive the promise of our celestial body. The apostle compares our terrestrial bodies to dust, and our celestial bodies as made from heaven, where we will find the finish line to our spiritual race.
“48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.” (1 Corinthians 15:48-49)
Paul explains all terrestrial bodies, all men were created in Adam’s image while all spiritual, celestial bodies are created according to Christ’s glorious resurrected body.
Those who believe in the resurrection of Jesus christ and all the saints will be rewarded with a new, glorious celestial body upon resurrection day. Let us pray!
Father God;
We thank you for your blessings in our lives and for your servant Paul,
We praise you Lord for his wisdom and for his works through this scripture,
We ask you Lord to inspire us to use these verses in our lives
As we grow in you through the teachings of your faithful apostle.
Lord we ask you to strengthen us each day as we endure through battles,
Allow us to praise and love each other through faith in you Jesus,
Shield us from evil through truth, the gospel, salvation and prayer,
Guide us to abide by your word as we spread your gospel to one and all
Becoming examples of faith through our character as we walk the narrow path.
God we pray that you will continue to bless us, to bless our lives and fill us with hope
We ask you Lord to guide our footsteps and lead us to the way everlasting,
Through faith in you Lord we seek salvation and a place with you in heaven
According to your word, your everlasting wisdom and strength.
May your will be done
In our lives, for your life.
We thank you for your love and all you bless us with each day.
Praise God,
Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: DanielStPierre@ThriveThroughChrist.com
