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Priscilla: I Corinthians 15:35-49
The Resurrection Body

Dear God, my Beloved Father, may all the glory, honor, magnificence, and eternal praise be attributed to my Beloved Self-Existent and Eternal Triune God in heaven. May the Holy Spirit sanctify me as I read and contemplate Your Word.

Father, today I would like to present my meditation on 1 Corinthians 15:35-49, regarding the nature of the resurrected physical body.

35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?

Verse 35: I understand that throughout the world, from ancient times until now, there have been people who question what will happen to the physical body after death, whether it will decay into dust or be consumed by fire, and how it will come back to life or undergo transformation. The resurrection is a mysterious and difficult concept for humans to comprehend, but nothing is impossible for Almighty God. Since the human physical body was created by God from the dust of the earth through His spoken word, it is also by the power of God and His spoken word that the human physical body will be raised from the dust of the earth.

36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:

Verse 36: I understand that the Apostle Paul referred to those who do not believe in the resurrection of the physical body as foolish, meaning they lack understanding and knowledge of God’s truth. Then, the Apostle Paul presented a truth, which is that a seed, once sown into the ground, must die before it transforms into a new plant with life. This truth was taught by Christ Himself: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24).

37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:

38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.

Verse 37 and 38: I understand that the Apostle Paul continued to explain that when someone sows a seed, they sow seeds of different types of plants that God has created. Each type of seed has its own distinct form, but the form of the seed that is sown will be different from the form of the plant that is transformed from that seed.

39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.

Verse 39: I understand that human beings are created in the image and likeness of God. Therefore, humans are esteemed and distinct from other living creatures. The physical bodies of other animal species differ from the human physical body in terms of function, composition, and the number of body parts. Even the flesh of land animals differs from the flesh of fish, and the flesh of these two species is different from the flesh of birds.

40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

Verses 40 and 41: I understand that “the glory of celestial bodies is different from the glory of terrestrial bodies, and the glory of the sun is different from the glory of the moon, and the glory of the stars differs from one another.” This means that the radiance of the sun, moon, and other stars is distinct from the radiance of the earth and all things on it. Even the radiance of the sun differs from the radiance of the moon, and the radiance of each star is also different from one another.

42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

Verse 42: I understand that the physical body of each person, after death, is sown in decay as it decomposes into dust. However, when that physical body is raised to life again, it will never decay into dust again. Death will no longer have power over that body.

43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:

Verse 43: I understand that the physical bodies of each person, when they die, experience death in weakness, illness, accidents, or as a result of torture and violence inflicted by others. All of these are consequences of sin. Therefore, each person dies in humiliation and weakness. However, when the physical body of each person is raised to life again, it will be resurrected in glory and in the power of God. Those who die in Christ will be resurrected in glory and will enjoy the Eternal Kingdom of God. Even those who do not belong to God, who do not repent and do not accept His salvation, will also be resurrected. However, they will face the final judgment for every sin they have committed and will not retain the glory of the resurrected body. They will face eternal punishment in Hell.

44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

Verse 44: I understand that the natural body is the physical body born of parents. The spiritual body is the resurrected or transformed physical body created anew by God from the natural body that has died or undergone metamorphosis. The physical bodies of those who die in Christ will be resurrected at the appointed time. The physical bodies of those who are alive in Christ will be transformed at the appointed time. Both will become immortal spiritual bodies in glory, like the resurrected body of Christ. That appointed time is the time when Christ comes to take the Church to heaven, which can happen at any time.

45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

Verse 45: I understand that Adam was the first human being created by God from the dust of the earth. When God breathed the breath of life into the nostrils of the dust-formed body, it became flesh, and humanity became a living soul. The Last Adam is the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Giver of Life to those who belong to Him, for He is the very source of life. Those who sincerely repent of their sins and fully accept His redeeming sacrifice will have their physical bodies raised to life again and will reign with Him in the Kingdom of Heaven for eternity.

46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

Verse 46: I understand that God has ordained that the natural physical body of humans be established first, and then the spiritual body be transformed from the natural body. Both believers and non-believers will have a spiritual body; the spiritual body of believers will dwell in happiness with God in the Kingdom of Heaven, while the spiritual body of non-believers will endure eternal suffering in Hell.

47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

Verse 47: I understand that Adam was the first person created by God. His physical body was formed from the dust of the earth, so it belongs to the earth. Since all people come from Adam’s, their physical bodies are also made of dust, belonging to the earth, just like Adam. The second person is Jesus Christ, whose physical body was born by God in the Virgin Mary’s womb. Therefore, He is called the Son of God because He comes from heaven and belongs to heaven.

48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

Verse 48: I understand that “belonging to the earth” refers to everything that is created on the earth, including the physical bodies of human beings. All things will pass away due to the consequences of human sin: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare” (2 Peter 3:10).

I understand that “belonging to heaven” refers to everything that God has established in the heavenly realm and those who are born again by Him. All things are complete, beautiful, and will endure in glory for eternity.

49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

Verse 49: I understand that “bearing the image of the earthly” means that all people in the world come from Adam, bearing the image that lacks the glory of God due to Adam’s sin. The physical bodies of every person must experience death as a consequence of sin. I understand that “bearing the image of the heavenly” refers to all those who belong to God, being newly created in Christ, conforming to the image of Christ. The physical bodies of each person will be resurrected or transformed into the full glory that God has predetermined for them. That glory is the righteous works of each person while they are still alive in their earthly bodies.

Father, God of Peace and Faithfulness, I pray to You. Please keep my spirit, soul, and physical body perfect. I ask that You help me to always live according to Your will, ready to be transformed on the day of my Beloved Savior’s coming to bring the Church out of the world. I eagerly await that blessed day to come quickly. Amen!

In the grace of Jesus Christ, my Lord.

Priscilla Christian Huynh
06/05/2023