1 Corinthians 15:39
All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.
Original Language Analysis
σὰρξ
flesh
G4561
σὰρξ
flesh
Strong's:
G4561
Word #:
3 of 21
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
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτὴ
the same
G846
αὐτὴ
the same
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 21
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
σὰρξ
flesh
G4561
σὰρξ
flesh
Strong's:
G4561
Word #:
6 of 21
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
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
7 of 21
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
μὲν
G3303
μὲν
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
9 of 21
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
σὰρξ
flesh
G4561
σὰρξ
flesh
Strong's:
G4561
Word #:
10 of 21
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
σὰρξ
flesh
G4561
σὰρξ
flesh
Strong's:
G4561
Word #:
14 of 21
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
Historical Context
Ancient biology recognized broad categories of embodied life. Paul's categorization (humans, land animals, fish, birds) reflects Genesis 1 creation order. His argument: the God who created such diverse embodied life can certainly create new embodied forms for resurrection. Present creation displays God's creativity; eschatological re-creation will display even greater glory.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the diversity of embodied life in creation demonstrate God's power to create resurrection bodies?
- What does Paul's argument from present to future creation teach about continuity between the ages?
- Why is maintaining true embodiment (not disembodied souls) important for biblical anthropology?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
All flesh is not the same flesh (οὐ πᾶσα σὰρξ ἡ αὐτὴ σάρξ)—Paul expands from plants to animals, demonstrating God's creative diversity. The word sarx (σάρξ, "flesh") refers to material embodiment. The fourfold classification—one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds—demonstrates that physical embodiment takes radically different forms, yet all are sarx.
Paul's logic: if God fashions diverse embodied forms in present creation, why doubt He can fashion resurrection bodies different from earthly bodies yet truly embodied? The variation in created flesh refutes the objection that only one kind of body is possible. God's creative power is not exhausted by present forms—He can and will create appropriate embodiment for the age to come.