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

1 CORINTHIANS 15:35KJV
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1 Corinthians 15:35 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 15:35 mean?

1 Corinthians 15:35 raises two questions about the resurrection: how can the dead be raised, and what kind of body will they have when they come back? Paul is anticipating the doubts or challenges some people might have about the idea of bodily resurrection.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, where some people are skeptical about the resurrection of the dead. In this verse, Paul sets up the questions he will answer in the following verses, showing that he understands the confusion or disbelief some might have. The verse introduces the practical concerns people had about what resurrection actually means for the human body.

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 15:35

  • "πῶς" (pōs, G4459): This word means "how," and it signals a question about the process or possibility of resurrection, not just the fact of it. The Greek here shows that the question is about the mechanics or manner of resurrection, which was a real stumbling block for some listeners.
  • "ποῖος" (poios, G4169): Translated as "what" in "what body," this word asks about the nature or kind of body the resurrected will have. The Greek highlights that the concern is not just about resurrection in general, but about the specific form or substance of the resurrected body.
  • "σῶμα" (sōma, G4983): This is the word for "body." In Greek thought, "σῶμα" could mean the physical, tangible body, so the question is very concrete—what kind of physical form will people have after being raised?

Why 1 Corinthians 15:35 matters

  • This verse shows that early Christians, like people today, had real questions and doubts about resurrection, especially about what it would actually look like.
  • By raising these questions, Paul connects the abstract idea of resurrection to everyday concerns, making the teaching more relatable and practical.
  • The verse sets up the rest of the chapter, where Paul explains the nature of resurrection and the transformed body, helping readers understand Christian hope in more concrete terms.