And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:

1 CORINTHIANS 15:37KJV
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1 Corinthians 15:37 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 15:37 mean?

1 Corinthians 15:37 uses the image of planting a seed to explain that what is buried in the ground is not the final, full-grown plant, but just a bare kernel—like a grain of wheat or some other seed. The verse is saying that what is sown is not the complete body that will later grow, but only a simple seed.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, addressing questions about resurrection and what kind of body people will have after death. He uses this farming example to help them understand that the body that is buried is not the same as the body that will be raised; just as a seed looks very different from the plant it becomes, so too will the resurrected body be different from the earthly body.

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 15:37

  • σῶμα (sōma, "body"): This word refers to a physical body or form. Paul points out that the seed sown is not the final "body" that will appear, highlighting the difference between what is buried and what will be raised.
  • γυμνὸν (gumnon, "bare"): This means "naked" or "bare," emphasizing that the seed is simple and without adornment. The focus is on the humble, plain nature of what is sown compared to what will grow.
  • κόκκος (kokkos, "grain"): This word means a grain or seed. Paul uses it to make the comparison clear: the seed is just a small, basic starting point, not the finished plant.
  • σῖτος (sitos, "wheat"): This specifies the kind of seed, making the metaphor concrete and relatable to everyday life in the ancient world.

Why 1 Corinthians 15:37 matters

  • This verse helps clear up confusion about resurrection by showing that the body that is buried is not the same as the body that will be raised—there is a transformation, just like a seed becomes a plant.
  • The farming image emphasizes that the resurrection body will be different and greater than the earthly body, which can comfort and encourage readers who wonder about life after death.
  • Paul’s use of everyday language and examples connects deep spiritual truths to common experiences, making his teaching more understandable and relatable for his audience.

Where else these words appear

“grain” Greek G2848 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 13:31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
  • Mark 4:31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
  • Luke 17:6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

“chance” Greek G5177 · used in 13 verses

  • Luke 10:30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
  • Acts 26:22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
  • 1 Corinthians 16:6 And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.

“wheat” Greek G4621 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
  • Mark 4:28 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.
  • John 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

“bare” Greek G1131 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
  • Mark 14:51 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:
  • Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.