1 Corinthians 15 35

1 Corinthians 15:35 kjv

But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?

1 Corinthians 15:35 nkjv

But someone will say, "How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?"

1 Corinthians 15:35 niv

But someone will ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?"

1 Corinthians 15:35 esv

But someone will ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?"

1 Corinthians 15:35 nlt

But someone may ask, "How will the dead be raised? What kind of bodies will they have?"

1 Corinthians 15 verses

1 Corinthians 15 35 meaning

This verse anticipates two fundamental questions or objections concerning the resurrection of the dead. First, it probes the method by which deceased bodies are raised back to life, seeking to understand the mechanics or process of such an event. Second, it questions the nature and quality of the body that those who are raised will possess, specifically asking what kind of transformed physical form they will inhabit. These inquiries highlight the skepticism and intellectual curiosity of some in Corinth regarding the doctrine of bodily resurrection, preparing the reader for Paul's subsequent detailed explanation.

1 Corinthians 15 35 Context

1 Corinthians chapter 15 is the Apostle Paul's comprehensive treatise on the resurrection. It addresses significant challenges to the Christian doctrine of bodily resurrection, prevalent among some within the Corinthian church. The chapter begins by asserting the factual basis of Christ's resurrection as central to the Gospel and the source of salvation (vv. 1-11). Paul then directly confronts the denial of future resurrection among some Corinthians, arguing that if the dead do not rise, then Christ has not risen, rendering faith and preaching futile (vv. 12-19). He emphasizes Christ as the "firstfruits" of those who sleep (v. 20) and establishes a sequence of resurrection (vv. 21-28).

Verse 35 marks a shift from arguing for the fact of resurrection to addressing how it occurs and what it entails. Paul anticipates the common philosophical and practical objections from both those influenced by Hellenistic thought (which often viewed the body as a prison for the soul, making bodily resurrection undesirable or absurd) and possibly Jewish skeptics akin to the Sadducees, who denied any resurrection. These questions reflect the practical difficulties and intellectual roadblocks encountered when contemplating a future physical body beyond earthly experience, setting the stage for Paul's detailed exposition on the nature of the resurrected body through various analogies and contrasts (vv. 36-58).

1 Corinthians 15 35 Word analysis

• But (Ἀλλά - Alla): A strong adversative conjunction, signifying a transition to an objection or an opposing point of view. Paul is preempting anticipated challenges, moving from declarative statements of truth to addressing specific, commonly asked questions.
• someone will ask (ἐρεῖ τις - erei tis): A common rhetorical device. "Someone" refers not to a specific individual but to a representative voice of doubt or curiosity within the Corinthian community or general society. Erei (from legō, to say/speak) denotes a direct inquiry or statement. Paul isn't creating a straw man but addressing genuine queries.
• 'How (Πῶς - Pōs): An interrogative adverb meaning "in what manner?" or "by what means?". This question is not primarily about if the dead rise, which Paul has already robustly defended, but how the resurrection process would actually work, indicating a demand for practical detail and logical explanation.
• are the dead (οἱ νεκροί - hoi nekroi): Refers specifically to those who have died, emphasizing their physical cessation of life. In this context, it implies deceased believers, the recipients of the resurrection being discussed throughout the chapter. Nekroi underscores the absolute state of lifelessness before divine intervention.
• raised? (ἐγείρονται; - egeirontai;): From egeirō, meaning "to raise up," "to awaken." It is a passive verb, implying that the dead do not raise themselves but are raised by an external, divine power. This choice of word connects directly to Christ being raised (egeiro is used frequently for Christ's resurrection), suggesting a similar divine agency.
• And (Καὶ - Kai): A simple conjunction linking the two main questions, indicating that they are closely related aspects of the same overall skepticism.
• with what kind of body (ποίῳ σώματι - poiō sōmati): A more specific question. Poios means "of what sort/kind," seeking to understand the nature, quality, or attributes of the resurrected body. This addresses a concern for continuity and transformation—what will this new body be like?
• do they come?' (ἔρχονται; - erchontai;): From erchomai, meaning "to come," "to arrive," "to appear." This verb emphasizes the ultimate manifestation or appearance of the resurrected person in their new body. It speaks to the post-resurrection state, tying into their new existence.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But someone will ask,": This phrase introduces the voice of the skeptic or inquirer. Paul, through this literary device, legitimizes the question even as he prepares to dismantle any underlying doubt. It creates a direct dialogue with potential objections.
• "'How are the dead raised?": This is the first practical challenge to the resurrection. It concerns the mechanism—what physiological or spiritual process facilitates such an extraordinary event after physical decay? It reflects the difficulty in human imagination to reconcile death with renewed life.
• "And with what kind of body do they come?'": The second, equally challenging question, moves from the how to the what. If resurrected, what form will these bodies take? Will they be the same decaying bodies, or something fundamentally different? This reflects a profound curiosity about identity, continuity, and the physical reality of the afterlife. This particular question pushes against common Greek philosophical disdain for the physical body, suggesting a transformed, not just restored, body is necessary for an honorable eternal state.

1 Corinthians 15 35 Bonus section

• The anticipated questions in 1 Cor 15:35 reveal a core tension between observable human experience (decay, death) and divine promise (resurrection, eternal life). This tension is resolved through God's power and a new creation, not just a simple reanimation.
• The phrase "with what kind of body" (ποίῳ σώματι) indirectly addresses Gnostic leanings or dualistic views present in the ancient world, which often held the physical body in contempt. Paul counters this by demonstrating that the body, while transformed, remains central to identity and God's plan.
• This verse effectively shifts the discussion from intellectual assent to resurrection as a theological concept to practical theological implications of the transformed, spiritual body that would eventually participate in God's eternal Kingdom, distinct from a temporary, earthly existence.

1 Corinthians 15 35 Commentary

Verse 35 serves as a crucial turning point in 1 Corinthians 15, transitioning from Paul's robust defense of the fact of resurrection to an exploration of its manner and nature. The questions "How are the dead raised?" and "With what kind of body do they come?" represent not just hypothetical queries but real theological and philosophical challenges Paul faced in a culture that struggled with the concept of bodily resurrection. Greek philosophy, in particular, often privileged the immortal soul over the perishable body, finding the idea of a resurrected body either illogical or undesirable.

Paul directly engages these concerns, not dismissing them but affirming their validity as profound inquiries. The question of "how" seeks the divine mechanism, while "what kind" desires to comprehend the form and properties of the post-resurrection body. Paul implicitly understands that a mere return to a corruptible, earthly body would offer no ultimate victory over death and decay, but would only restore believers to a temporary, fallen state. His subsequent discourse, starting with the analogy of a seed (v. 36), will patiently unfold God's wisdom and power in providing a resurrected body that is glorious, imperishable, powerful, and spiritual – entirely suitable for an eternal, heavenly existence. These questions become the launchpad for Paul's rich and enduring description of the eschatological body of believers.