Talking about the seeds, the flesh and the stars.
In 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, the apostle Paul continues to explore the concept of the resurrection body, building upon the analogies he introduced earlier in the chapter. These verses delve into the nature of the transformation that will take place when believers are resurrected. Paul compares the current perishable and natural state of our bodies to the glorious, imperishable, and spiritual nature of the bodies we will receive in the resurrection. This transformation reflects the victory of Christ over death and the promise of a future resurrection for those who are in Him. Let’s explore these verses in more detail to gain a deeper understanding of the profound truths Paul is conveying.
1 Corinthians 15:35-40
“But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. Not all flesh is the same: People have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor. So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.”
1 Corinthians 15:35-49 NIV”
https://bible.com/bible/111/1co.15.36-49.NIV
Lesson To Glean from This Scripture
The Scripture Above means, Paul draws a parallel between the first man, Adam, and the second man, Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that just as we inherit mortality and sin from Adam, we also inherit eternal life and righteousness through Christ. The lesson to glean is that our spiritual transformation comes through our connection with Christ, leading to a future resurrection and transformation of our earthly bodies into spiritual bodies. This passage highlights the importance of faith in Christ and the hope of resurrection for believers.
In verses 35, 36, and 37 of 1 Corinthians 15:
“But someone will ask, ‘How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?’ You foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain.”
In these verses, Paul is responding to the question about how the dead will be raised and what kind of body they will have in the resurrection. He begins by addressing the hypothetical question that someone might ask. This question reflects a concern about the mechanics of resurrection and the nature of the resurrected body.
Paul’s response is somewhat stern, using the phrase “foolish person” to emphasize that the question misses the point. He draws an analogy from agriculture to explain the concept of transformation and resurrection. He compares the process of planting a seed with the process of resurrection. When a seed is planted, it first dies (or decomposes) before it grows into a new plant. Similarly, he explains, our earthly bodies will undergo a transformation, just as a seed transforms into a new form.
He clarifies that the body that is sown (buried) is not the same as the body that will be in the resurrection. It’s like a bare kernel of wheat or another grain—what is sown is not the full-grown plant, but rather the potential for growth and transformation.
Paul’s analogy underscores the idea that while there is continuity between our earthly bodies and our resurrection bodies, there will also be a transformation, much like a seed transforming into a mature plant. These verses lay the groundwork for Paul’s deeper explanation of the nature of the resurrection body in the following verses.
Point #2: ALL FLESH IS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER FLESH
In verses 38 and 39 of 1 Corinthians 15:
“But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish.”
In these verses, Paul continues his analogy by elaborating on the diversity of bodies and the concept of God’s design in creation. He emphasizes that God provides a specific body to each type of seed according to His choice and plan. Just as different seeds produce different types of plants, God’s design extends to various forms of living beings.
Paul highlights the diversity within creation, pointing out that not all flesh is the same. He mentions different categories of living creatures, such as humans, animals, birds, and fish. Each of these categories has its own unique kind of body, designed by God for its specific purpose and environment.
The analogy serves to illustrate the point that just as God’s creative design includes diverse bodies for different types of living beings, so too will the resurrection body be uniquely suited for its transformed state. Paul is laying the groundwork for his explanation of the nature of the resurrection body, emphasizing God’s role as the ultimate designer and creator of all things.
Point #3 : Stars Differ from Stars
Here are verses 40 and 41 of 1 Corinthians 15!
“There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.”
In these verses, Paul continues his discussion about the diversity of bodies, both in the physical world and in the context of the resurrection. He contrasts heavenly bodies (celestial bodies) with earthly bodies to highlight the differences in glory between the two.
Paul points out that heavenly bodies and earthly bodies have distinct types of glory. The glory of heavenly bodies is different from the glory of earthly bodies. He further elaborates on this idea by drawing an analogy to celestial bodies that we observe in the sky—the sun, the moon, and the stars.
Paul uses these examples to illustrate how even within the realm of celestial bodies, there are varying levels of glory. The sun, moon, and stars each possess their own unique splendor, and they differ from one another in terms of their brightness and significance.
The purpose of these verses is to emphasize the diversity and hierarchy of glory that exists in the physical and celestial realms. Paul is preparing the groundwork for his explanation of the transformation of the resurrection body, hinting at the idea that the glory of the resurrected body will be distinct and fitting for its heavenly nature.
