1 Corinthians 15:52
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Original Language Analysis
ἀτόμῳ
a moment
G823
ἀτόμῳ
a moment
Strong's:
G823
Word #:
2 of 19
uncut, i.e., (by implication) indivisible (an "atom" of time)
ῥιπῇ
the twinkling
G4493
ῥιπῇ
the twinkling
Strong's:
G4493
Word #:
4 of 19
a jerk (of the eye, i.e., (by analogy) an instant)
ὀφθαλμοῦ
of an eye
G3788
ὀφθαλμοῦ
of an eye
Strong's:
G3788
Word #:
5 of 19
the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σαλπίσει
the trumpet shall sound
G4537
σαλπίσει
the trumpet shall sound
Strong's:
G4537
Word #:
10 of 19
to trumpet, i.e., sound a blast (literally or figuratively)
γάρ
for
G1063
γάρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
11 of 19
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐγερθήσονται
shall be raised
G1453
ἐγερθήσονται
shall be raised
Strong's:
G1453
Word #:
15 of 19
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
Cross References
Matthew 24:31And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.John 5:25Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.Isaiah 27:13And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.2 Peter 3:10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.John 5:28Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,1 Corinthians 15:42So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:Revelation 8:13And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!Zechariah 9:14And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.Revelation 8:2And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.Isaiah 18:3All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye.
Historical Context
Trumpet imagery derives from Old Testament theophanies (Exodus 19:16, Joel 2:1, Zechariah 9:14). The shofar announced God's presence, judgment, and deliverance. Paul uses this imagery to depict Christ's return as divine intervention ending history's present age and inaugurating the age to come—resurrection, judgment, new creation.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the instantaneous nature of resurrection/transformation indicate about God's power?
- How does 'last trumpet' imagery connect to Old Testament theophanies and new creation?
- What comfort does the suddenness and certainty of transformation provide to believers?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye (ἐν ἀτόμῳ, ἐν ῥιπῇ ὀφθαλμοῦ)—The phrase en atomō (ἐν ἀτόμῳ) means "in an indivisible unit of time, instantly"—the word atomos (ἄτομος) means "uncuttable," from which English "atom" derives. En rhipē ophthalmou (ἐν ῥιπῇ ὀφθαλμοῦ, "in a twinkling of an eye") describes the fastest movement observable—an eye's blink. The transformation/resurrection happens instantaneously, not gradually.
At the last trump (ἐν τῇ ἐσχάτῃ σάλπιγγι)—The eschatē salpinx (ἐσχάτῃ σάλπιγγι, "last trumpet") signals the eschaton's arrival, God's final action in history (Matthew 24:31, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, Revelation 11:15). Jewish festivals used trumpet blasts; the "last trumpet" indicates the final, climactic blast announcing God's kingdom consummation. For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed—simultaneous events: trumpet, resurrection of dead believers, transformation of living believers.