1 Corinthians 15 · Verse 42

1 Corinthians 15:42

So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
1 Corinthians 15:42, King James Version

1 Corinthians 15:42 in other translations

BSBSo will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable.
WEBSo also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown perishable; it is raised imperishable.
ASVSo also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
YLTSo also is the rising again of the dead: it is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption;
DARBYThus also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruptibility.
BBESo is it with the coming back from the dead. It is planted in death; it comes again in life:
WebsterSo also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption:

What does 1 Corinthians 15:42 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
42. sown--Following up the image of seed. A delightful word instead of burial. in corruption--liable to corruption: corruptible: not merely a prey when dead to corruption; as the contrast shows, "raised in incorruption," that is, not liable to corruption: incorruptible.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 42. So also is the resurrection. In a manner similar to the grain that is sown, and to the different degrees of splendour and magnificence in the bodies in the sky and on the earth. The dead shall be raised in a manner analogous to the springing up of grain; and there shall be a difference between the body here and the body in the resurrection.

It is sown. In death. As we sow or plant the kernel in the earth.

In corruption. In the grave; in a place where it shall be corrupt; in a form tending to putrefaction, disorganization, and dust.

It is raised in incorruption. It will be so raised, In the previous verses (1Cor 15:36-41) he had reasoned from analogy, and had demonstrated that it was possible that the dead should rise, or that there was no greater difficulty attending it than actually occurred in the events which were in fact constantly taking place. He here states positively what would be, and affirms that it was not only possible, but that such a resurrection would actually occur. The body would be raised "in incorruption," "uncorruptible," 1Cor 15:52; that is, no more liable to decay, sickness, disorganization, and putrefaction. This is one characteristic of the body that shall be raised, that it shall be no more liable, as here, to wasting sickness, to disease, and to the loathsome corruption of the grave. That God can form a body of that kind, no one can doubt; that he actually will, the apostle positively affirms. That such will be the bodies of the saints is one of the most cheering prospects that can be presented to those who are here wasted away by sickness, and who look with dread and horror on the loathsome putrefaction of the tomb.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead - That is, the bodies of the dead, though all immortal, shall possess different degrees of splendor and glory, according to the state of holiness in which their respective souls were found. The rabbins have some crude notions concerning different degrees of glory, which the righteous shall possess in the kingdom of heaven. They make out seven degrees: - "The first of which is possessed by צדיקים tsaddikim, the just, who observe the covenant of the holy, blessed God, and subjugate all evil affections." "The second is possessed by those who are ישרים yesharim, the upright; whose delight it is to walk in the ways of God and please him." "The third is for תמימים temimim, the perfect: those who, with integrity, walk in the ways of God, and do not curiously pry into his dispensations." "The fourth is for קדושים kedoshim, the holy ones; those who are the excellent of the earth, in whom is all God's delight." Psa 16:3. "The fifth is for בעלי תשובה baaley teshubah, the chief of the penitents; who have broken through the brazen doors, and returned to the Lord." "The sixth is for תינוקות של בית רבן rof si ht tinukoth shel beith raban, the scholars and tender ones; who have not transgressed." "The seventh is for חסידים chasidim, the godly: and this is the innermost of all the departments." These seven degrees require a comment by themselves. There is a saying among the rabbins very like that of the apostle in this and the preceding verse Siphri, in Yalcut Simeoni, page 2, fol. 10: "The faces of the righteous shall be, in the world to come, like suns, moons, the heaven, stars, lightnings: and like the lilies and candlesticks of the temple." It is sown in corruption - The body is buried in a state of degradation, decay, and corruption. The apostle uses the word sown to intimate that the body shall rise again, as a seed springs up that has been sown in the earth. It is raised in incorruption - Being no more subject to corruption, dissolution, and death.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:35-50

1. How are the dead raised up? that is, by what means? How can they be raised? 2. As to the bodies which shall rise. Will it be with the like shape, and form, and stature, and members, and qualities? The former objection is that of those who opposed the doctrine, the latter of curious doubters. To the first the answer is, This was to be brought about by Divine power; that power which all may see does somewhat like…

Read the full comment on 1 Corinthians 15:35-50 →

1 Corinthians 15:42 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΟὕτωςHoutōsSoG3779
καὶkaialso [is]G2532
ἡhētheG3588
ἀνάστασιςanastasisresurrectionG386
τῶνtōnof theG3588
νεκρῶν.nekrōndead.G3498
σπείρεταιspeiretaiIt is sownG4687
ἐνeninG1722
φθορᾷ,phthoradecay,G5356
ἐγείρεταιegeiretaiit is raisedG1453
ἐνeninG1722
ἀφθαρσίᾳ·aphtharsiaimmortality;G861

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Corinthians 15:42

  • Daniel 12:3

    And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

  • Matthew 13:43

    Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

  • Philippians 3:20-21

    For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

  • Romans 8:21

    Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

  • 1 Peter 1:4

    To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

  • 1 Corinthians 15:50-54

    Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. …

  • Acts 2:31

    He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

  • Acts 2:27

    Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

  • Psalms 49:14

    Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.

  • Psalms 16:10

    For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

  • Genesis 3:19

    In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

  • Isaiah 38:17

    Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
is.
50-54; Da 12:3; Mt 13:43; Php 3:20,21
in corruption.
Ge 3:19; Job 17:14; Ps 16:10; 49:9,14; Isa 38:17; Ac 2:27,31
Ac 13:34-37; Ro 1:23; 8:21
it is.
52-54; Lu 20:35,36; 1Pe 1:4

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Corinthians 15:41

    There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:42

    So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

  • 1 Corinthians 15:43

    It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:

Read all of 1 Corinthians 15

1 Corinthians 15:42 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Así también es la resurrección de los muertos. Se siembra en corrupción, se levantará en incorrupción;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Ainsi aussi est la résurrection des morts: il est semé en corruption, il ressuscite en incorruptibilité;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Also ist auch die Auferstehung der Toten. Es wird gesät in Verwesung, es wird auferweckt in Unverweslichkeit.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		sic et resurrectio mortuorum. Seminatur in corruptione, surget in incorruptione.