Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 15:50

What does 1 Corinthians 15:50 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 15:50 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 15:50 means

Paul states a principle: “flesh and blood”—our present mortal condition—cannot inherit God’s kingdom; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Entrance into the fullness of God’s reign requires transformation. This does not deny bodily existence in the kingdom; it affirms that our current, corruptible state must be changed. The resurrection body is necessary for that inheritance. The verse guards against both materialism that expects mere continuation and spiritualism that denies embodiment. God’s kingdom is for glorified persons, and God Himself supplies the change that fits us for it.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now I say this, my brothers, that it is not possible for flesh and blood to have a part in the kingdom of God; and death may not have a part in life.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood the reign of God is not able to inherit, nor doth the corruption inherit the incorruption;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot possess the kingdom of God: neither shall corruption possess incorruption.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inheritGod's kingdom, nor does corruption inherit incorruptibility.

Context

After promising believers will bear Christ’s image (v. 49), Paul explains why transformation is necessary (v. 50). He will reveal a “mystery” about the timing and manner of that change (vv. 51–52) and state the necessity of putting on immortality (v. 53). The context shifts from theological identity to practical eschatology—how and when the change occurs for those alive and those who have died.

v.49And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

v.50This passage

v.51Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:12

    Now this I mean, that each one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:13

    Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall bring to nought both it and them. But the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body:

  • 2 Corinthians 5:1

    For we know that if the earthly house of our tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens.

  • Ephesians 4:17

    This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind,

  • Galatians 5:16

    But I say, Walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

  • John 3:3

    Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore 1 Corinthians 15

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on 1 Corinthians 15.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to 1 Corinthians 15:50.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary