1 Corinthians 15:37

KJV

And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other [grain]:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} that which {G3739} thou sowest {G4687}, thou sowest {G4687} not {G3756} that body {G4983} that shall be {G1096}, but {G235} bare {G1131} grain {G2848}, it may chance {G1487}{G5177} of wheat {G4621}, or {G2228} of some {G5100} other {G3062} grain:

Complete Jewish Bible

Also, what you sow is not the body that will be, but a bare seed of, say, wheat or something else;

Berean Standard Bible

And what you sow is not the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or something else.

American Standard Version

and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not the body that shall be, but a bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other kind;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 15:37, the Apostle Paul employs a compelling agricultural analogy to elucidate the nature of the resurrected body, asserting that the future spiritual body will be fundamentally distinct yet continuous with the earthly, perishable body sown in death. He clarifies that just as a simple seed, devoid of the plant's future glory, is planted in the ground, so too is the human body buried, only to be raised in a transformed and glorious state, demonstrating God's sovereign power to give each its appropriate form.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Paul's extensive and foundational discourse on the resurrection of the dead in 1 Corinthians 15. Having established the historical reality of Christ's resurrection as the cornerstone of Christian faith in [1 Corinthians 15:1-11](/1_corinthians/15-1-11 "The Resurrection of Christ"), Paul then addresses the Corinthians' skepticism and specific questions regarding the resurrection of believers. Verse 35 poses the direct challenge: "[But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?](/1_corinthians/15-35 "The Question of the Resurrection Body")" Paul responds by turning to the natural world, using the analogy of a seed to illustrate the profound transformation that occurs in resurrection. Verse 37 specifically sets up the contrast between the "sown" body and the "raised" body, paving the way for his detailed explanation of the qualities of the resurrected body in [1 Corinthians 15:42-44](/1_corinthians/15-42-44 "Qualities of the Resurrected Body").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Corinthian church, situated in a major Roman port city, was a melting pot of various philosophical and religious ideas, including Hellenistic thought. Many Greeks held a dualistic view, often despising the physical body and finding the idea of a bodily resurrection repugnant or illogical. They might have envisioned a crude reanimation of the decaying corpse, which seemed absurd. Paul, therefore, uses a common, observable phenomenon—agriculture—to bridge this conceptual gap. Sowing and harvesting were universally understood practices in the ancient world, providing a relatable and undeniable illustration of growth and transformation from a humble beginning to a glorious outcome. This analogy would have resonated deeply with an agrarian society, demonstrating God's power at work in the natural order as a parallel to His greater power in resurrection.
* **Key Themes:** Paul's agricultural analogy in this verse contributes significantly to several key themes within 1 Corinthians 15 and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Transformation, Not Mere Reanimation**. The central message is that the body raised will not simply be the old body reanimated, but a new, transformed spiritual body, distinct in glory and nature from what was sown. Secondly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Design**. The fact that "God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him" (as elaborated in [1 Corinthians 15:38](/1_corinthians/15-38 "God Gives Each Seed Its Own Body")) emphasizes God's ultimate power and wisdom in determining the form of the resurrected body, just as He designs each plant from its seed. Lastly, the verse illustrates the concept of **Continuity and Discontinuity**. While a wheat seed produces a wheat plant (continuity of kind), the plant's mature form is vastly different from the simple seed (discontinuity of form and glory). This principle applies to the human body: the resurrected body maintains personal identity and continuity with the earthly body, but its nature and glory are radically transformed, moving from perishable to imperishable, dishonor to glory, weakness to power, and natural to spiritual, as further detailed in [1 Corinthians 15:42-44](/1_corinthians/15-42-44 "The Nature of the Resurrected Body").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sowest (Greek, _speírō'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to scatter," this verb vividly describes the act of planting seeds in the ground. In Paul's analogy, it refers to the burial of the human body, likening it to the simple, unassuming act of placing a seed into the earth. This term implies an expectation of future growth and harvest, setting the stage for the concept of resurrection.
* **body (Greek, _sōma'_):** This term refers to the physical organism, often understood as a "sound whole." Here, it denotes the earthly, perishable human body that is laid in the grave. Paul uses it to distinguish the present, corruptible form from the future, transformed, and incorruptible body that will be raised.
* **bare grain (Greek, _gymnós kókkos'_):** This phrase combines `gymnós` (G1131), meaning "naked" or "unclothed," and `kókkos` (G2848), referring to a "kernel of seed." Together, they emphasize the simple, unadorned, and seemingly lifeless state of the seed when it is planted. This highlights the stark contrast between this humble beginning and the glorious, complex plant that will emerge, powerfully illustrating the profound transformation from the earthly body to the resurrected body.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes the central point of discontinuity. Paul uses the familiar act of sowing to illustrate that the physical form placed into the ground (the "sown" body) is not the identical form that will emerge in the resurrection (the "body that shall be"). This directly counters any notion of a crude reanimation or simple reassembly of the decaying corpse, emphasizing a radical transformation.
* **"but bare grain,"**: This phrase introduces the specific example from the agricultural world. The "bare grain" refers to the simple, unadorned seed, stripped of any outward glory or resemblance to the mature plant it will become. It highlights the humble, seemingly insignificant nature of what is planted, contrasting it sharply with the future manifestation.
* **"it may chance of wheat, or of some other [grain]:"**: This concluding part of the verse provides common examples, such as wheat or other grains, to reinforce the analogy. It underscores that while the *kind* of plant is determined by the seed (a wheat seed produces wheat, not barley), the *form* of the seed itself is vastly different from the mature plant. This illustrates the principle of continuity of identity (it's still "you" that is raised) combined with discontinuity of form (your body will be gloriously transformed).

#### Literary Devices
Paul's masterful use of **Analogy** is the primary literary device in this verse. By comparing the burial of a human body to the planting of a seed, he makes a complex theological concept—the nature of the resurrection body—accessible and understandable to his audience. This analogy is further enhanced by **Contrast**, which is central to his argument. He starkly contrasts "that which thou sowest" (the simple, earthly body/seed) with "that body that shall be" (the glorious, resurrected body/plant). The phrase "bare grain" itself employs **Imagery**, conjuring a vivid picture of a simple, unadorned seed, which then serves as a powerful symbol for the humble state of the buried body. This imagery effectively prepares the reader for the subsequent explanation of the glorious transformation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is profoundly significant for Christian theology, offering a crucial understanding of the resurrection body that transcends mere reanimation. It affirms God's power not only to bring life from death but to transform that life into a new, glorious, and perfectly suited form for eternity. The analogy assures believers that while there is continuity of identity—it is *our* body that is raised—the resurrected body will be free from the limitations, decay, and weaknesses of our current physical forms. This transformation is a testament to God's creative wisdom and His ultimate plan for His redeemed people, culminating in a body fit for eternal fellowship with Him. It provides immense hope, anchoring our future not in a return to a flawed earthly existence, but in a divinely orchestrated, perfected state.

* [1 Corinthians 15:42-44](/1_corinthians/15-42-44 "The Qualities of the Resurrected Body")
* [John 12:24](/john/12-24 "The Grain of Wheat Analogy")
* [Philippians 3:21](/philippians/3-21 "Transformation of Our Lowly Body")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 15:37 offers a profound source of hope and comfort, reshaping our perspective on death and the future. Instead of fearing the decay of the physical body, believers can anticipate a magnificent, divinely wrought transformation. This verse encourages us to view our earthly lives and bodies as temporary vessels, "sown" in preparation for a glorious, eternal harvest. It reminds us that our ultimate destiny is not a return to a frail, perishing existence, but an elevation to an imperishable, powerful, and spiritual body perfectly suited for God's eternal kingdom. This understanding should inspire us to live with an eternal perspective, investing in what truly lasts and finding peace in the certainty of God's redemptive work, even through the mystery of death. It calls us to trust in God's power to bring forth beauty and glory from seemingly humble beginnings, just as He does with a simple seed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Paul's analogy of the seed challenge or affirm your current understanding of the resurrection body?**
* **In what ways does the concept of a transformed, rather than merely reanimated, body offer you hope or comfort regarding death?**
* **How might believing in a glorious, spiritual body for eternity influence your priorities and actions in your present earthly life?**

### FAQ
**What does "bare grain" mean in this context, and why is it significant?**

Answer: The phrase "bare grain" translates the Greek `gymnós kókkos` (γυμνὸν κόκκον), which literally means "naked kernel" or "unclothed seed." Its significance lies in emphasizing the simple, unadorned, and seemingly lifeless state of the seed when it is planted. It is devoid of the visible glory, complexity, or beauty of the mature plant it will become. Paul uses this imagery to highlight the stark contrast between what is sown (the humble, perishable earthly body) and what is raised (the glorious, transformed resurrection body). It underscores that the future body will not be a mere resuscitation of the old, but a new, divinely given form, just as a simple seed gives rise to a complex plant, yet remains the same *kind* of plant. This distinction is crucial for understanding the nature of the resurrection as a radical transformation, not a crude reassembly.

**Does this verse suggest that our resurrected bodies will be entirely different from our earthly bodies, or is there some continuity?**

Answer: 1 Corinthians 15:37, along with the broader context of [1 Corinthians 15](/1_corinthians/15 "The Resurrection Chapter"), teaches both continuity and discontinuity regarding the resurrected body. The "bare grain" analogy is key: a wheat seed produces a wheat plant, not barley. This illustrates **continuity of identity and kind** – it is *you* who will be raised, maintaining your personal identity. However, the form of the mature plant is vastly different and more glorious than the simple seed. This represents **discontinuity of form and nature**. The earthly body is perishable, dishonorable, weak, and natural; the resurrected body will be imperishable, glorious, powerful, and spiritual, as Paul elaborates in [1 Corinthians 15:42-44](/1_corinthians/15-42-44 "The Qualities of the Resurrected Body"). So, while there's a direct link and personal recognition, the resurrected body will be wonderfully transformed and perfectly suited for eternity, far surpassing the limitations of our current physical existence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The truth of 1 Corinthians 15:37 finds its ultimate fulfillment and guarantee in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. His resurrection body, while bearing the marks of His crucifixion (e.g., [John 20:27](/john/20-27 "Jesus Shows His Wounds to Thomas")), was profoundly transformed, no longer subject to earthly limitations, able to appear and disappear, and eventually ascend to heaven ([Luke 24:31](/luke/24-31 "Jesus Vanishes from Their Sight"), [Acts 1:9](/acts/1-9 "Jesus Ascends to Heaven")). Christ is the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "Christ, the Firstfruits")), meaning His resurrected body is the prototype and promise for all believers. Just as the simple "seed" of His crucified body was "sown" in the tomb, it was raised in power and glory, a new creation. Our future resurrection, therefore, is not merely a hope but a certainty, patterned after His own glorious transformation. Through Christ, the Spirit who raised Him from the dead will also give life to our mortal bodies ([Romans 8:11](/romans/8-11 "The Spirit Who Raised Christ from the Dead")), ensuring that "we shall be like him" ([1 John 3:2](/1_john/3-2 "We Shall Be Like Him")), receiving a body perfectly suited for eternal fellowship with God, a testament to His victory over death and His ongoing work of redemption.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.