1 Corinthians 15:42-44

1 Corinthians 15:42-44 (ESV)

[42] So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. [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.

In my previous blog I indicated that 1 Corinthians 15 teaches that in Heaven believers will have heavenly bodies that will far surpass that of their earthly bodies. The verses above build on that thought. In what way do they surpass their earthly bodies? These verses list four contrasts. First, our earthly bodies are perishable. In fact, verse 22 indicates that we are all, as descendants of Adam, in the process of dying. We fear the Corona virus Covid-19. But let’s be honest; if the virus doesn’t get us, something else will. According to webmd.com “The CDC estimates that as many as 56,000 people die from the flu or flu-like illness each year.” The World Health Organization estimates that over 157,000 people die every day in the world; over 157,000 a day. We all die sometime. It is inevitable. Our bodies are perishing. But our heavenly bodies will be imperishable. The death process will never touch us.

Second, dishonor and glory are contrasted. Other passages translate this word vile or shameful. It is a word used to describe a deteriorating, dead body. When we look at each other we don’t necessarily see dishonor. We see health and beauty, at least in some of us. But the truth is that compared to our heavenly bodies, our earthly bodies are pretty despicable. We will be so much more. We will have bodies of glory. That word refers to honor, renown, and splendor. It is the word used for the brilliant light that expresses the greatness of God. Compared to the body believers will have in heaven, this earthly body is much like the deer carcass on the side of the road.

Third, our earthly bodies are weak while our heavenly bodies will have power. As we age, we tend to lose muscle mass, height, stamina, and more. The process of death makes us weaker and weaker. But the heavenly bodies Christ followers receive are characterized by power, not weakness, by health not death, by strength not feebleness and frailty.

Fourth, our earthly bodies are natural while our heavenly bodies are spiritual. I will likely write more about this in a following blog as the following verses build on this thought. Suffice it to say that our earthly bodies are made of dust (see verse 47 and Genesis 2:7). Our heavenly bodies will be made of heavenly stuff (see verses 47-48).

As I write this we are all exercising social distancing for fear of contracting or passing on Covid-19. And that is wise, but the truth is, one day we will all die. Believers in Jesus Christ have imperishable, glorious, powerful, heavenly bodies to look forward to. Let me challenge you, if you have not put your faith in Jesus Christ as your personal savior, please do so today. Call someone you know is a believer and ask them to help you understand what that means. If you have trusted Christ, be safe, but don’t let fear control you. We have so much to look forward to.