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 .
51 Behold , I tell you a mystery ; we will not all sleep , but we will all be changed , 52 in a moment , in the twinkling of an eye , at the last trumpet ; for the trumpet will sound , and the dead will be raised imperishable , and we will be changed . 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable , and this mortal must put on immortality . 54 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable , and this mortal will have put on immortality , then will come about the saying that is written , " DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory . 55 " O DEATH , WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY ? O DEATH , WHERE IS YOUR STING ?" 56 The sting of death is sin , and the power of sin is the law ; 57 but thanks be to God , who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:35-57
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.
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:51-58
(Read 1 Corinthians 15:51-58)
All the saints should not die, but all would be changed. In the gospel, many truths, before hidden in mystery, are made known. Death never shall appear in the regions to which our Lord will bear his risen saints. Therefore let us seek the full assurance of faith and hope, that in the midst of pain, and in the prospect of death, we may think calmly on the horrors of the tomb; assured that our bodies will there sleep, and in the mean time our souls will be present with the Redeemer. Sin gives death all its hurtful power. The sting of death is sin; but Christ, by dying, has taken out this sting; he has made atonement for sin, he has obtained remission of it. The strength of sin is the law. None can answer its demands, endure its curse, or do away his own transgressions. Hence terror and anguish. And hence death is terrible to the unbelieving and the impenitent. Death may seize a believer, but it cannot hold him in its power. How many springs of joy to the saints, and of thanksgiving to God, are opened by the death and resurrection, the sufferings and conquests of the Redeemer! In verse 58, we have an exhortation, that believers should be stedfast, firm in the faith of that gospel which the apostle preached, and they received. Also, to be unmovable in their hope and expectation of this great privilege, of being raised incorruptible and immortal. And to abound in the work of the Lord, always doing the Lord's service, and obeying the Lord's commands. May Christ give us faith, and increase our faith, that we may not only be safe, but joyful and triumphant.