35 But someone will say , "How are the dead raised ? And with what kind of body do they come ?" 36 You fool ! That which you sow does not come to life unless e it dies ; 37 and that which you sow , you do not sow the body which is to be, but a bare grain , perhaps of wheat or of something else . 38 But God gives it a body just as He wished , and to each of the seeds a body of its own . 39 All flesh is not the same flesh , but there is one flesh of men , and another flesh of beasts , and another flesh of birds , and another of fish . 40 There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies , but the glory of the heavenly is one , and the glory of the earthly is another . 41 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 . 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead . It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; 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 . If there is a natural body , there is also a spiritual body. 45 So also it is written , "The first MAN , Adam , BECAME A LIVING SOUL ." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit . 46 However , the spiritual is not first , but the natural ; then the spiritual . 47 The first man is from the earth , earthy ; the second man is from heaven . 48 As is the earthy , so also are those who are earthy ; and as is the heavenly , so also are those who are heavenly . 49 Just as we have borne the image of the earthy , we will also bear the image of the heavenly . 50 Now I say this , brethren , that flesh and blood cannot e inherit the kingdom of God ; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:35-50
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:35-50
(Read 1 Corinthians 15:35-50)
1. How are the dead raised up? that is, by what means? How can they be raised? 2. As to the bodies which shall rise. Will it be with the like shape, and form, and stature, and members, and qualities? The former objection is that of those who opposed the doctrine, the latter of curious doubters. To the first the answer is, This was to be brought about by Divine power; that power which all may see does somewhat like it, year after year, in the death and revival of the corn. It is foolish to question the Almighty power of God to raise the dead, when we see it every day quickening and reviving things that are dead. To the second inquiry; The grain undergoes a great change; and so will the dead, when they rise and live again. The seed dies, though a part of it springs into new life, though how it is we cannot fully understand. The works of creation and providence daily teach us to be humble, as well as to admire the Creator's wisdom and goodness. There is a great variety among other bodies, as there is among plants. There is a variety of glory among heavenly bodies. The bodies of the dead, when they rise, will be fitted for the heavenly bodies. The bodies of the dead, when they rise, will be fitted for the heavenly state; and there will be a variety of glories among them. Burying the dead, is like committing seed to the earth, that it may spring out of it again. Nothing is more loathsome than a dead body. But believers shall at the resurrection have bodies, made fit to be for ever united with spirits made perfect. To God all things are possible. He is the Author and Source of spiritual life and holiness, unto all his people, by the supply of his Holy Spirit to the soul; and he will also quicken and change the body by his Spirit. The dead in Christ shall not only rise, but shall rise thus gloriously changed. The bodies of the saints, when they rise again, will be changed. They will be then glorious and spiritual bodies, fitted to the heavenly world and state, where they are ever afterwards to dwell. The human body in its present form, and with its wants and weaknesses, cannot enter or enjoy the kingdom of God. Then let us not sow to the flesh, of which we can only reap corruption. And the body follows the state of the soul. He, therefore, who neglects the life of the soul, casts away his present good; he who refuses to live to God, squanders all he has.