1 Corinthians 15:44
What does 1 Corinthians 15:44 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 15:44 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 15:44 means
What is sown a natural body is raised a spiritual body. “Natural” refers to the body as animated by the present order, subject to decay; “spiritual” means a body animated and empowered by the Holy Spirit, fit for the age to come. This does not deny physicality; rather, it describes the governing power. If there is a natural body—as our experience confirms—there will also be a spiritual body, as God promises. The resurrection will not create ghosts but glorious, Spirit-empowered bodies. Our future embodiment will be fully real, yet transformed, suitable for unbroken fellowship with God in a renewed creation.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.
KJV
King James Version · 1611It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949It is planted a natural body; it comes again as a body of the spirit. If there is a natural body, there is equally a body of the spirit.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body; there is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752It is sown a natural body: it shall rise a spiritual body. If there be a natural body, there is also a spiritual body, as it is written:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body: if there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual [one].
Context
This climactic contrast (v. 44) caps the sown/raised list (vv. 42–44) and transitions to the Adam–Christ framework (vv. 45–49). Paul will link the natural/spiritual distinction to the first Adam and the last Adam, showing how Christ’s life-giving Spirit grounds the hope of a new kind of embodiment. The context moves from description to theological grounding.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 15:50
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
- John 20:26
And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
- John 20:19
When therefore it was evening, on that day, the firstdayof the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
- Luke 24:31
And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
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