1 Corinthians 15:50
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
Original Language Analysis
ἀδελφοί
brethren
G80
ἀδελφοί
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
4 of 19
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
5 of 19
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
σὰρξ
flesh
G4561
σὰρξ
flesh
Strong's:
G4561
Word #:
6 of 19
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αἷμα
blood
G129
αἷμα
blood
Strong's:
G129
Word #:
8 of 19
blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k
βασιλείαν
the kingdom
G932
βασιλείαν
the kingdom
Strong's:
G932
Word #:
9 of 19
properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
10 of 19
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φθορὰ
corruption
G5356
φθορὰ
corruption
Strong's:
G5356
Word #:
16 of 19
decay, i.e., ruin (spontaneous or inflicted, literally or figuratively)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Matthew 16:17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.Ephesians 4:17This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,Galatians 5:16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.1 Corinthians 6:13Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.2 Corinthians 5:1For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.Galatians 3:17And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
Historical Context
This verse refutes both Gnosticism (which denied bodily resurrection) and crude materialism (which expected mere resuscitated corpses). Paul affirms embodiment while insisting on transformation. The kingdom of God is physical new creation (Isaiah 65:17, Revelation 21:1), requiring physical bodies—but glorified bodies suited to that realm.
Questions for Reflection
- How does 'flesh and blood cannot inherit' require transformation rather than disembodiment?
- What aspects of present mortal existence are incompatible with eternal kingdom life?
- How does this verse balance continuity (we will have bodies) with discontinuity (they must be transformed)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God (τοῦτο δέ φημι, ἀδελφοί, ὅτι σὰρξ καὶ αἷμα βασιλείαν θεοῦ κληρονομῆσαι οὐ δύναται)—The phrase sarx kai haima (σὰρξ καὶ αἷμα, "flesh and blood") is Hebraic idiom for mortal human nature (Matthew 16:17, Galatians 1:16, Ephesians 6:12). Paul doesn't disparage embodiment but indicates present mortal bodies are unsuited for eternal kingdom. The verb klēronomēsai (κληρονομῆσαι, "to inherit") indicates receiving promised inheritance—eternal life in God's kingdom.
Neither doth corruption inherit incorruption (οὐδὲ ἡ φθορὰ τὴν ἀφθαρσίαν κληρονομεῖ)—Phthora (φθορά, "corruption, decay, perishability") cannot inherit aphtharsia (ἀφθαρσία, "incorruption, imperishability"). This is logical impossibility—the corruptible cannot possess the incorruptible. Therefore transformation is necessary (v. 51-52). Resurrection doesn't mean disembodied souls but transformed bodies—physicality perfected, not negated.