It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
Parallel translations
- WEB It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is also a spiritual body.
- BSB It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.
- NKJV It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
- NASB it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.
- NLT They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The body is sown natural and raised spiritual. It matters because the resurrection body is fully fitted for the life of the Spirit.
Overview
Paul completes his contrasts: the present 'natural' body suited to earthly life gives way to a 'spiritual' body governed by the Holy Spirit. This is still a real, physical body, not an immaterial ghost, but transformed for heavenly existence. Such a body perfectly suits the glorified life believers will share with the risen Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- 1 Cor 15:50Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
- Luke 24:31And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
- John 20:19Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
- John 20:26And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
How 1 Corinthians 15:44 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.