1 Corinthians 15:44
It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
Original Language Analysis
σπείρεται
It is sown
G4687
σπείρεται
It is sown
Strong's:
G4687
Word #:
1 of 13
to scatter, i.e., sow (literally or figuratively)
σῶμα
body
G4983
σῶμα
body
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
2 of 13
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
ψυχικόν
a natural
G5591
ψυχικόν
a natural
Strong's:
G5591
Word #:
3 of 13
sensitive, i.e., animate (in distinction on the one hand from g4152, which is the higher or renovated nature; and on the other from g5446, which is th
ἐγείρεται
it is raised
G1453
ἐγείρεται
it is raised
Strong's:
G1453
Word #:
4 of 13
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
σῶμα
body
G4983
σῶμα
body
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
5 of 13
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
πνευματικόν
a spiritual
G4152
πνευματικόν
a spiritual
Strong's:
G4152
Word #:
6 of 13
non-carnal, i.e., (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (daemoniacally) a spirit (concretely), or (divinely) supernatural, regenerate, religiou
ἔστιν
There is
G2076
ἔστιν
There is
Strong's:
G2076
Word #:
7 of 13
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
σῶμα
body
G4983
σῶμα
body
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
8 of 13
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
ψυχικόν
a natural
G5591
ψυχικόν
a natural
Strong's:
G5591
Word #:
9 of 13
sensitive, i.e., animate (in distinction on the one hand from g4152, which is the higher or renovated nature; and on the other from g5446, which is th
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 13
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔστιν
There is
G2076
ἔστιν
There is
Strong's:
G2076
Word #:
11 of 13
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
Historical Context
Greek philosophy's body-soul dualism created confusion. Paul uses pneumatikon (spiritual) not to mean non-physical but Spirit-empowered physicality. Christ's resurrection body (Luke 24:39: 'flesh and bones', John 20:27: Thomas touches wounds) is the prototype—physical yet transcendent, embodied yet glorified. This was revolutionary: a body neither purely natural nor purely immaterial, but Spirit-transformed matter.
Questions for Reflection
- How does 'spiritual body' differ from both 'resuscitated corpse' and 'disembodied soul'?
- What does it mean for the body to be animated by the Spirit rather than natural life?
- How does Christ's resurrection body (eating fish, yet passing through walls) help us understand 'spiritual body'?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body (σπείρεται σῶμα ψυχικόν, ἐγείρεται σῶμα πνευματικόν)—This is the crucial contrast. The word psychikon (ψυχικόν, "natural, soulish") derives from psychē (ψυχή, "soul, life, natural life"). Sōma psychikon describes the body animated by psychē, natural life suitable for earthly existence—requiring food, water, air, sleep, subject to natural laws.
Soma pneumatikon (σῶμα πνευματικόν, "spiritual body") does not mean immaterial or ethereal. Pneumatikon means "Spirit-animated, Spirit-characterized, suited to the Spirit's realm." The resurrection body is physical/material but empowered and sustained by the Holy Spirit rather than natural life—no longer requiring food/sleep, transcending present physical limitations, yet truly embodied. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body (εἰ ἔστιν σῶμα ψυχικόν, ἔστιν καὶ πνευματικόν)—Paul asserts both exist as certainty.