Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
Parallel translations
- WEB Behold, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed,
- BSB Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—
- NKJV Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—
- NASB Behold, I am telling you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed,
- NLT But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed!
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
Paul reveals a mystery: not all will die, but all believers will be changed. It matters because it promises transformation for those alive at Christ's return.
Overview
Paul discloses a previously hidden truth: some believers will still be living when Christ returns, yet all will undergo transformation. The resurrection change applies to the living and the dead alike. This unveils the hope that mortality will be swallowed up in glory at Christ's coming.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- 1 Th 4:14–17For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
- Phil 3:21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
- 1 Cor 15:20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
- Eph 1:9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
- 1 Cor 4:1Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
- 1 Cor 2:7But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
- 1 Cor 15:6After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
- Eph 5:32This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
- 1 Cor 13:2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
- Eph 3:3How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
- 1 Cor 15:18Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
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 15:51 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.