1 Corinthians 15:38
But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
3 of 15
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
αὐτῷ
it
G846
αὐτῷ
it
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 15
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
δίδωσιν
giveth
G1325
δίδωσιν
giveth
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
5 of 15
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
σῶμα
a body
G4983
σῶμα
a body
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
6 of 15
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
ἠθέλησεν
it hath pleased him
G2309
ἠθέλησεν
it hath pleased him
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
8 of 15
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σπερμάτων
seed
G4690
σπερμάτων
seed
Strong's:
G4690
Word #:
12 of 15
something sown, i.e., seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant (figuratively, as if kept over for planting)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Isaiah 61:11For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.1 Corinthians 3:7So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
Historical Context
Ancient biology recognized that seeds reproduce according to their kind (Genesis 1:11-12). Paul uses creation order to explain resurrection transformation—God who faithfully gives each seed its proper form will faithfully give believers resurrection bodies suited to eternal life. The Creator's consistency and wisdom guarantee resurrection's rationality.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's sovereignty over seed forms assure us He'll sovereignly fashion resurrection bodies?
- What does 'his own body' indicate about individual identity being preserved in resurrection?
- How should understanding resurrection body as divine gift (not earned) shape Christian hope?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him (ὁ δὲ θεὸς δίδωσιν αὐτῷ σῶμα καθὼς ἠθέλησεν)—The verb didōsin (δίδωσιν, "gives") is present tense, indicating God's ongoing creative activity in every seed's germination. God sovereignly determines (kathōs ēthelēsen, καθὼς ἠθέλησεν, "according as He willed") each seed's form. The resurrection body isn't chance product but divine gift, fashioned according to God's wise purpose.
And to every seed his own body (καὶ ἑκάστῳ τῶν σπερμάτων ἴδιον σῶμα)—The word idion (ἴδιον, "its own, proper to itself") indicates each seed type has a specific corresponding plant. God doesn't give wheat seed an oak tree body. Similarly, resurrection bodies will be fitted to redeemed humanity—not angel bodies, not our current bodies resuscitated, but glorified human bodies appropriate to the age to come. God determines form, not randomness.