1 Corinthians 15:42-49

42: So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body;
43: it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power;
44: it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.
45: So also it is written, “The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
46: However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual.
47: The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven.
48: As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly.
49: Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly.

*** 

Paul contrasted the natural body with the spiritual. The natural body is perishable and sown in dishonor and weakness. It is temporary and prone to sin. It grows old and wears out. Yet, for those who believe, it is a seed sown from which the spiritual body is raised up. The spiritual body is imperishable and raised up in glory and power.

While this applies to each of us individually, in the same way, Adam was like the natural body from the earth. Jesus is like the spiritual body from heaven. Paul quoted from Genesis 2:7 which calls Adam the first man. He pointed out that the natural man came first, then the spiritual. Those who are of the first man—which are all humans---will bear the image of the earthly man, Adam. Those who are of the second man—all believers in Christ—will bear the image of the heavenly man, Jesus.

The whole idea of the natural body being sown as a seed implies, not an end as burial does, but a beginning—a hope for those who believe in Jesus. The sowing is man’s act; the raising is God’s. We can choose how we will live here on the earth as our body grows old, and sow it as a seed, but we cannot resurrect ourselves. Only God can do that. It reminds me of the parable of the seed Jesus spoke of in Mark 4:26-29 where he said the kingdom of heaven is like a man who plants seed, time goes on, the seed sprouts and grows, and the man doesn’t know how it does it. We might not understand the process, but we have faith in the One who does.


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