1 Corinthians 15:35-58 - Questions Concerning The Resurrection Body
35 But someone will ask, "How are dead people raised up?" and "What kind of a body will they have?" 36 You foolish person. The seed you plant does not come to life [i.e., grow] unless it dies. 37 And what you yourself sow is not the plant that will [eventually] come up, but simply a seed. It may be a grain of wheat or something else. 38 But God gives it the [kind of] body He wants [it to have], so each seed gets its own plant. 39 All flesh is not the same [Note: The word "flesh" here refers to the material composition of matter, and in no way suggests anything sinful, as it does in many other places in Paul's writings]. But mankind has one [kind of] flesh; animals have another kind; birds have another; and fish [still] another. 40 Also, there are heavenly bodies [i.e., stars and planets] and earthly bodies [i.e., men and animals]. But the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one [kind], and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another [kind]. 41 The sun has one [kind] of splendor, and the moon has another [kind], and the stars [still] another. For [even] one star's splendor is different from another's. 42 It is the same way with the resurrection of dead people. [A person's body] is buried [only] to decay; it is raised up never to decay again. 43 It is buried in dishonor; it is raised up in splendor. It is buried in weakness; it is raised up in power. 44 It is buried as a physical body; it is raised up as a spiritual body. If there is [such a thing as] a physical body, [then] there is also a spiritual body. 45 So, it is also written [Gen. 2:7], "The first man, Adam, became a living being." The last Adam [i.e., Christ], became the Spirit who gives [never ending] life. [See John 5:21]. 46 However, the spiritual [body] does not come first, but the physical [body does]; then the spiritual [body comes].
47 The first man [i.e., Adam] came from the dust of the ground [See Gen. 2:7]; the second man [i.e., Christ] came from heaven. 48 Just as earthly people are like the man who came from dust; so heavenly people are like the man who came from heaven. 49 And just as we [now] appear [in both a physical and spiritual body] like the man who came from dust [i.e., Adam]; we will also [someday] appear [in both a physical(?) and spiritual body] like the man who came from heaven [i.e., Christ].
50 Now this is what I am saying, brothers; flesh and blood [i.e., physical bodies] cannot possess the kingdom of God [i.e., the heavenly realm]; neither can [bodies that] decay possess [a place] which does not decay. 51 Look, I am telling you a secret truth: We will not all die, but we will all be changed [i.e., physically and spiritually] 52 in a split second, as quickly as the twinkle of an eye, when the last trumpet blows. For the trumpet will blow and dead people [i.e., believers] will be raised up, never to decay again, and [the living] will be changed [i.e., physically and spiritually]. 53 For this [body] that can decay must be clothed with [a body] which cannot decay. And this [body] that can die must be clothed with [a body] which cannot die. 54 But when this [body] that can decay has been clothed with one which cannot decay, and this [body] that can die has been clothed with one which cannot die, then the Scriptural saying will be fulfilled [Isa. 25:8], "Death has been swallowed up [i.e., eliminated] by victory." [Note: The reference here is to the time when believers will experience victory over death by being resurrected or taken directly to be with God]. 55 [Hos. 13:14 says], "Death, where is your victory [over people]? Death, where is your [harmful] sting?" 56 The [harmful] sting that causes [physical] death is sin [See Rom. 5:12]; and the power of sin [to do this] comes from the law. [See Rom. 8:2]. 57 But I thank God for giving us victory [i.e., over sin and death] through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my dearly loved brothers, stand firm [in the faith]; do not be moved [from your commitment]. Always do your best to work for the Lord, since you know that your labor in the Lord's [service] is not for nothing.