Daily Lesson for Wednesday 19th of August 2026
In 1 Corinthians 15:35-39, Paul turns to a brief discourse on the resurrected body. He begins this section by positing two questions: “ ‘How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?’ ” (1 Corinthians 15:35, NKJV). These questions are answered in 1 Corinthians 15:36-49.
Read 1 Corinthians 15:36-41. How does this passage answer the questions in 1 Corinthians 15:35?
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Paul applies three analogies to help his readers understand what happens in the resurrection. The first analogy (1 Corinthians 15:36-38) remarks that the body is like a seed that must first die (or cease to be a seed) in order to miraculously become a plant. The teaching is clear: resurrection is a miracle of God. Second, the analogy of the bodies (1 Corinthians 15:39-40) highlights that, in this world, God provided different types of bodies for animals and for humans appropriate to the current environment. Likewise, our bodies will be suitable for the new circumstances in the heavenly world. This idea is taken a step further with the third analogy of a glorious body (1 Corinthians 15:40-41), which emphasizes that the glory of the resurrected body enormously exceeds that of the body that came before, our earthly fallen ones.
This idea can also be seen through four contrasts between our earthly body here and now, and the resurrected body. The former is terrestrial, perishable, weak, and natural. In turn, the latter is heavenly, imperishable, powerful, and spiritual (1 Corinthians 15:40-44). This does not mean there is no continuity between the two. Paul’s use of the Greek term sōma (“body”) for both the buried body and the resurrected body shows continuity. Conversely, the four contrasts above also show discontinuity. Our new bodies will not be the same as the decaying ones we have now (thank the Lord).
Paul does not relate the term “spiritual” to an immaterial existence. Elsewhere, he says that Jesus “will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:21, ESV). We will have real bodies, but they will not wear down or decay. Because all we know now is decay, sickness, and death, it’s hard to imagine life without these things, but that is what we are promised in Jesus.
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How does the assurance that our bodies will be transformed into perfection help us be resilient regarding our physical limitations today? |
