1 Corinthians 15:38

KJV

But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} God {G2316} giveth {G1325} it {G846} a body {G4983} as {G2531} it hath pleased him {G2309}, and {G2532} to every {G1538} seed {G4690} his own {G2398} body {G4983}.

Complete Jewish Bible

but God gives it the body he intended for it; and to each kind of seed he gives its own body.

Berean Standard Bible

But God gives it a body as He has designed, and to each kind of seed He gives its own body.

American Standard Version

but God giveth it a body even as it pleased him, and to each seed a body of its own.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 15:38, the Apostle Paul addresses the Corinthians' questions about the nature of the resurrection body, asserting God's absolute sovereignty and wisdom in providing a suitable body for each resurrected individual. Through the powerful analogy of a seed, Paul illustrates that just as a buried seed transforms into a distinct and appropriate plant, God, by His divine will and pleasure, will grant a new, transformed, and fitting body to those who are raised from the dead, ensuring both continuity of identity and a glorious distinction from the perishable earthly body.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** [First Corinthians chapter 15](/1_corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection of Christ and Believers") is the New Testament's most comprehensive treatment of the doctrine of the resurrection. Paul begins by establishing the historical reality and centrality of Christ's resurrection as the "firstfruits" of those who have fallen asleep ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ, the Firstfruits")). He then confronts the skepticism and misunderstandings prevalent among some Corinthian believers who denied the future resurrection of the dead. Their questions, articulated in [1 Corinthians 15:35](/1_corinthians/15-35 "1 Corinthians 15:35 - Questions about the Resurrection Body")—"How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?"—directly precede and set the stage for Paul's detailed explanation. Verse 38 specifically answers the latter question, initiating a series of analogies (seed, different kinds of flesh, celestial bodies) that culminate in a description of the glorious, imperishable nature of the resurrection body in [1 Corinthians 15:42-49](/1_corinthians/15-42-49 "1 Corinthians 15:42-49 - The Nature of the Resurrection Body").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Corinthian church was situated in a Greco-Roman city deeply influenced by Hellenistic philosophy, which often held a dualistic view of reality, valuing the spiritual (soul) over the material (body). Many Greek philosophers considered the body a prison for the soul, and the idea of a bodily resurrection was often met with ridicule or outright rejection (cf. [Acts 17:32](/acts/17-32 "Acts 17:32 - Response to Resurrection in Athens")). This philosophical backdrop likely contributed to the Corinthians' skepticism regarding the resurrection of the body. Furthermore, the agricultural analogy of a seed was highly relatable in a society dependent on farming. Paul masterfully leverages this common experience to explain a profound theological truth, making it accessible to his audience. The concept of God's sovereignty over creation was also a significant theological point, distinguishing the Christian worldview from pagan polytheism or philosophical determinism.
* **Key Themes:** [1 Corinthians 15:38](/1_corinthians/15-38 "1 Corinthians 15:38 - God's Sovereign Provision of the Resurrection Body") contributes to several key themes within the chapter and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty in Creation and Resurrection**, emphasizing that the nature of the resurrection body is determined by God's will, not human logic or expectation. Secondly, the **Seed Analogy** is central, illustrating both continuity (the plant comes from the seed) and radical discontinuity/transformation (the plant is vastly different and more glorious than the seed). This addresses the "what body?" question by showing that the resurrected body will be uniquely suited to eternal life, distinct from the perishable earthly body, yet retaining individual identity. Thirdly, the verse subtly introduces the theme of **Diversity and Appropriateness**, as "to every seed his own body" implies that while all resurrected bodies will be glorious, they will also be uniquely fitted to each individual, just as different seeds produce different kinds of plants. This theme is further developed in [1 Corinthians 15:39-41](/1_corinthians/15-39-41 "1 Corinthians 15:39-41 - Diversity of Bodies and Glories").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **God (Greek, _theós'_):** This term refers to the supreme Divinity, emphasizing the ultimate agent of the resurrection. Paul highlights that the power and wisdom to give a body, and indeed to determine its nature, reside solely with God. This counters any humanistic or philosophical attempts to explain or deny the resurrection based on naturalistic principles.
* **giveth (Greek, _dídōmi'_):** A versatile verb meaning "to give" or "to bestow." In this context, it signifies God's active, sovereign, and intentional provision. It's not a passive allowance or a natural process, but a deliberate act of divine creation and bestowment, underscoring God's direct involvement in the resurrection of believers.
* **pleased (Greek, _thélō'_):** This verb denotes an active determination or choice based on subjective impulse or will. When applied to God, "as it hath pleased him" emphasizes His sovereign pleasure, good will, and deliberate design in the resurrection process. The nature of the resurrected body is not arbitrary but perfectly aligned with God's wise and benevolent purpose.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him":** This opening clause immediately establishes God as the authoritative subject and agent of the resurrection. The "it" refers to the "seed" or the "dead" from the preceding verses. Paul asserts that the form and nature of the resurrected body are not left to chance or human speculation, but are entirely determined by God's sovereign will and design. This phrase counters the Corinthians' implicit assumption that the resurrection body must be a mere resuscitation of the old, perishable body. Instead, it is a new creation, perfectly suited for eternity, fashioned according to God's wise and good pleasure.
* **"and to every seed his own body":** This second clause introduces the agricultural analogy that undergirds Paul's argument. Just as a seed, when sown, produces a specific and appropriate plant (a wheat seed produces wheat, not barley), so too will God provide a body uniquely suited to each resurrected individual. This emphasizes both the continuity of identity (the resurrected person is still "them") and the radical transformation and distinction of the new body from the old. The resurrected body will be perfectly formed and fitted by God for its eternal purpose, reflecting His intricate and diverse creative power.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs a powerful **Analogy** in this verse, comparing the resurrection of the dead to the sowing and sprouting of a seed. This common agricultural process serves as a tangible illustration of a profound spiritual truth, making the abstract concept of resurrection more comprehensible. The **Metaphor** of "sowing" (death) and "raising" (resurrection) is central to the entire chapter, depicting the burial of the perishable body as the planting of a seed that will yield a new, glorious harvest. Furthermore, the verse implicitly highlights **Divine Sovereignty** as a theological device, emphasizing God's absolute authority and wisdom in orchestrating the resurrection, ensuring that the outcome is precisely "as it hath pleased him."

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[1 Corinthians 15:38](/1_corinthians/15-38 "1 Corinthians 15:38 - God's Sovereign Provision of the Resurrection Body") is a cornerstone for understanding the Christian doctrine of the resurrection body, affirming both its reality and its transformed nature. It assures believers that God, who intricately designs every aspect of creation, will perfectly craft our future bodies for eternity. This truth provides immense hope, transforming the fear of death into an anticipation of a glorious future. It also underscores God's meticulous care for His creation, demonstrating that His redemptive plan extends not only to our souls but also to our physical being, culminating in a new creation. The verse encourages us to trust in God's wisdom, even when the mechanics of resurrection seem beyond human comprehension, resting in His sovereign power to bring about what He has promised.

* [Philippians 3:21](/philippians/3-21 "Philippians 3:21 - Transformation of Our Bodies")
* [John 5:28-29](/john/5-28-29 "John 5:28-29 - Resurrection of Life and Judgment")
* [Romans 8:11](/romans/8-11 "Romans 8:11 - The Spirit's Role in Resurrection")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers profound comfort and a robust foundation for Christian hope, particularly in the face of death and decay. It challenges us to move beyond a limited, earthly understanding of bodies and embrace God's limitless power to transform. For those grieving the loss of loved ones, it provides assurance that their physical identity, though sown in corruption, will be raised in incorruption, fashioned by God's perfect design. It calls us to trust in God's sovereign wisdom, recognizing that His plans for our future are far grander than our imaginations. This truth should inspire us to live with an eternal perspective, investing in what truly lasts and finding peace in the knowledge that our ultimate destiny is in the hands of a loving and powerful God who will complete His work in us, body and soul.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the analogy of the seed challenge your preconceived notions about what the resurrection body will be like?**
* **In what ways does knowing that God "giveth it a body as it hath pleased him" strengthen your trust in His sovereignty over all aspects of life and death?**
* **How does the hope of a transformed resurrection body impact your perspective on your current physical limitations or the aging process?**

### FAQ

**Does "his own body" mean we will look exactly the same as we do now?**

Answer: Not exactly the same, but uniquely recognizable. The phrase "his own body" emphasizes that there will be a continuity of identity—you will still be you. However, the preceding phrase, "But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him," and the broader context of [1 Corinthians 15:42-44](/1_corinthians/15-42-44 "1 Corinthians 15:42-44 - Qualities of the Resurrection Body"), indicate a radical transformation. Paul explains that the body is "sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body." Just as a small, unappealing seed transforms into a beautiful, complex plant, our earthly bodies will be transformed into glorious, imperishable, spiritual bodies perfectly suited for eternal life with God, while retaining a distinct individual identity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[1 Corinthians 15:38](/1_corinthians/15-38 "1 Corinthians 15:38 - God's Sovereign Provision of the Resurrection Body") finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the resurrection of Jesus Himself, who is the "firstfruits of them that slept" ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ, the Firstfruits")). Christ's resurrected body serves as the prototype and guarantee for the resurrection bodies of all believers. He was raised with a body that was both continuous with His earthly body (He could be touched, He ate food, bore the marks of the crucifixion as seen in [John 20:27](/john/20-27 "John 20:27 - Thomas Touches Jesus' Wounds")) yet radically transformed (He could appear and disappear, pass through locked doors, as in [John 20:19](/john/20-19 "John 20:19 - Jesus Appears to Disciples")). This demonstrates God's power to give a body "as it hath pleased him" to Christ, and by extension, to all who are "in Christ." Our hope for a transformed, imperishable body is anchored in the reality of Christ's victory over death, which disarmed the power of the grave ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death")) and inaugurated the new creation. Through Christ, God's sovereign pleasure in providing a glorious body is not merely a promise but a demonstrated reality, ensuring that all who believe will be conformed to the image of His Son, even in their resurrected physical form ([Romans 8:29](/romans/8-29 "Romans 8:29 - Conformed to the Image of Christ")).

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.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 3:7

So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

Mark 4:26

And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;

Mark 4:29

But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

Isaiah 61:11

For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

Psalms 104:14

He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;

Genesis 1:11

And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, [and] the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed [is] in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.

Genesis 1:12

And the earth brought forth grass, [and] herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed [was] in itself, after his kind: and God saw that [it was] good.