1 Corinthians 15:35
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
1 Corinthians 15:35
35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
Chapter Context
1 Corinthians 15 is a pastoral epistle chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of holiness, redemption, covenant. Written during Paul's third missionary journey (c. 55 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: The church existed in a prosperous, cosmopolitan, morally permissive Roman colony.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-58: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it defends the resurrection as central to Christian faith. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within 1 Corinthians and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
1 Corinthians 15:35
35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
Analysis
But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? (Ἀλλὰ ἐρεῖ τις, Πῶς ἐγείρονται οἱ νεκροί;)—Paul anticipates the skeptic's objection: resurrection is mechanistically impossible. The verb egeirontai (ἐγείρονται, "are raised") uses passive voice—God raises the dead; they don't self-resurrect. The question pōs (πῶς, "how") demands mechanism, process, explanation.
And with what body do they come? (ποίῳ δὲ σώματι ἔρχονται;)—The second question addresses identity and continuity. If the body decays, decomposes, is eaten by animals or burns to ash, how can it be reconstituted? What about amputees? The obese and emaciated? Greek philosophy found bodily resurrection absurd—souls yes, bodies no. Paul will answer with agricultural analogy (vv. 36-49) demonstrating continuity-in-transformation.
Historical Context
Greek intellectual culture mocked bodily resurrection (Acts 17:32). Plato taught the body is the soul's prison; release from embodiment was salvation. Platonism's influence on Corinthian believers created this objection. They couldn't conceive how decayed corpses could be reconstituted. Paul doesn't mock the question but addresses it seriously with theological and analogical reasoning.
Reflection
- Why does Greek philosophical dualism find bodily resurrection repugnant—what does this reveal about biblical vs. Greek anthropology?
- How do modern objections to resurrection (scientific naturalism) parallel ancient Greek objections?
- What does the 'what body' question indicate about concerns over identity and continuity?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Ezekiel 37:3, Romans 9:19