1 Corinthians 15:39

KJV

All flesh [is] not the same flesh: but [there is] one [kind of] flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, [and] another of birds.

KJV (with Strong's)

All {G3956} flesh {G4561} is not {G3756} the same {G846} flesh {G4561}: but {G235}{G3303} there is one {G243} kind of flesh {G4561} of men {G444},{G1161} another {G243} flesh {G4561} of beasts {G2934},{G1161} another {G243} of fishes {G2486}, and {G1161} another {G243} of birds {G4421}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Not all living matter is the same living matter; on the contrary, there is one kind for human beings, another kind of living matter for animals, another for birds and another for fish.

Berean Standard Bible

Not all flesh is the same: Men have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another, and fish another.

American Standard Version

All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one flesh of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of birds, and another of fishes.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 15:39, the Apostle Paul employs an analogy from the natural world to illustrate the concept of diverse physical forms, laying a foundational premise for his subsequent arguments regarding the nature of the resurrected body. He asserts that not all flesh is identical, distinguishing between the distinct physical compositions of humans, land animals, aquatic creatures, and birds, thereby preparing his audience to grasp the idea of different "glories" or qualities of bodies, both earthly and celestial.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within 1 Corinthians 15, often hailed as the New Testament's most comprehensive discourse on the resurrection. Paul is directly addressing a significant theological issue within the Corinthian church: the denial of the resurrection of the dead by some members, as explicitly stated in [1 Corinthians 15:12](/1_corinthians/15-12 "1 Corinthians 15:12 - Denial of Resurrection"). Having established the historical reality and theological necessity of Christ's resurrection as the bedrock of Christian faith in [1 Corinthians 15:1-11](/1_corinthians/15-1-11 "1 Corinthians 15:1-11 - The Resurrection of Christ"), Paul then pivots to explain the *nature* of the resurrected body. [1 Corinthians 15:35](/1_corinthians/15-35 "1 Corinthians 15:35 - How are the Dead Raised?") poses the rhetorical question, "How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?" Verses [1 Corinthians 15:36-41](/1_corinthians/15-36-41 "1 Corinthians 15:36-41 - Analogies of Resurrection") serve as Paul's answer, using analogies from seeds, various types of flesh, and celestial bodies to demonstrate that diversity in form and glory is a natural principle, preparing the reader for the profound transformation from a perishable to an imperishable body discussed in [1 Corinthians 15:42-49](/1_corinthians/15-42-49 "1 Corinthians 15:42-49 - The Spiritual Body").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling Roman provincial capital, a melting pot of diverse philosophical and religious ideas. Greek philosophical thought, particularly Platonism, often held a disdain for the physical body, viewing it as a prison for the soul. This dualistic worldview likely contributed to the Corinthian believers' difficulty in accepting the concept of a bodily resurrection. They might have imagined a crude reanimation of the earthly body, which seemed unappealing or illogical. Paul's analogies, drawn from common observations of the natural world, were designed to bridge this conceptual gap. By pointing to the obvious diversity in creation, he appealed to a shared understanding of the natural order, making his theological argument for a transformed, spiritual body more palatable and comprehensible to a culture that might otherwise dismiss the idea of a physical resurrection.

* **Key Themes:** [1 Corinthians 15](/1_corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection Chapter") is rich with theological themes, and [1 Corinthians 15:39](/1_corinthians/15-39 "1 Corinthians 15:39 - Diversity of Flesh") contributes significantly to several. The most prominent is the **Nature of the Resurrected Body**, demonstrating that while a body is raised, its form and glory will be fundamentally different from its earthly counterpart. This verse introduces the broader theme of **Diversity in Creation**, highlighting God's infinite creativity and wisdom in designing a vast array of life forms, each with its unique characteristics, from the creatures of the sea to the birds of the air, as seen in the broader creation narrative of [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account"). This diversity serves as an analogy for the distinct "glories" of bodies, both earthly and celestial, preparing the reader for the concept of a transformed, spiritual body in [1 Corinthians 15:44](/1_corinthians/15-44 "1 Corinthians 15:44 - Natural vs. Spiritual Body"). Implicitly, the verse also underscores **God's Sovereign Power**, capable of orchestrating such intricate variety and transformation, reinforcing the Christian hope that God is able to accomplish the resurrection of the dead, even when it seems impossible to human understanding.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **All (Greek, _pâs'_):** As per G3956, this word signifies "all, any, every, the whole." In this context, "all flesh" emphasizes the universal principle Paul is establishing: across the entire spectrum of living beings, there is no monolithic "flesh." This highlights the comprehensive nature of the diversity he is about to describe, setting up the contrast that follows.
* **flesh (Greek, _sárx'_):** As per G4561, _sárx_ refers to the physical, material substance of living beings, the "meat of an animal," or by extension, the body itself. Here, it denotes the corporeal substance that constitutes different life forms. Paul's point is that while all these creatures are made of "flesh," the *kind* or *quality* of that flesh differs significantly, leading into his argument about the varying "glories" of bodies.
* **another (Greek, _állos'_):** As per G243, _állos_ means "else," or "different." This word is repeated four times in the verse ("another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds"), serving to emphatically underscore the distinct categories of flesh Paul is enumerating. It reinforces the idea of qualitative difference within the broader category of "flesh," which is crucial for his analogy about the transformed resurrected body.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"All flesh [is] not the same flesh:"** This opening clause presents Paul's core assertion: despite all living beings being composed of "flesh," this substance is not uniform across all species. It immediately introduces the concept of diversity within a common category, challenging any simplistic notion that all physical bodies are identical in nature or quality.
* **"but [there is] one [kind of] flesh of men,"** Paul begins to specify the categories of distinct flesh, starting with human beings. This establishes a baseline for comparison, acknowledging the unique composition and characteristics of human flesh. The conjunction "but" (G235 _allá_) signals a strong contrast to the preceding statement, introducing the specific examples of differentiation.
* **"another flesh of beasts,"** Following humans, Paul identifies the flesh of land animals or "beasts" (G2934 _ktēnos_) as distinct. This highlights the differences in physical structure, function, and appearance between humans and terrestrial animals, despite both being "flesh."
* **"another of fishes,"** The apostle then moves to aquatic life, specifically "fishes" (G2486 _ichthýs_). The flesh of fish is clearly different from that of humans or land animals, adapted for a completely different environment and mode of existence. This further expands the range of diversity within "flesh."
* **"[and] another of birds."** Finally, Paul concludes his list with "birds" (G4421 _ptēnón_), representing aerial creatures. Their flesh, designed for flight, possesses unique properties that distinguish it from the other categories. The cumulative effect of these examples is to powerfully demonstrate the vast and evident variations in physical bodies, even within the general classification of "flesh."

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices in [1 Corinthians 15:39](/1_corinthians/15-39 "1 Corinthians 15:39 - Diversity of Flesh") to strengthen his argument. The primary device is **Analogy**, where he draws parallels from the observable natural world to illuminate a spiritual truth. By pointing to the self-evident fact that human, animal, fish, and bird flesh are distinct, he creates a relatable foundation for understanding that the resurrected body will also be distinct from the perishable earthly body. This is a form of **Argument from Observation**, appealing to common knowledge and experience. The repeated use of "another" (**Anaphora** or **Repetition**) emphasizes the distinctness of each category of flesh, driving home the point of diversity. Furthermore, the verse uses **Categorization** (or **Classification**) by systematically listing different types of flesh, which helps to structure his argument and make it clear that variety is inherent in creation. This careful use of rhetoric prepares the reader for the more complex theological truths about the nature of the resurrection that follow.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[1 Corinthians 15:39](/1_corinthians/15-39 "1 Corinthians 15:39 - Diversity of Flesh") serves as a crucial bridge in Paul's resurrection argument, demonstrating that God's creative power is not limited to a single form of physical existence. The theological implication is profound: if God can design such intricate and varied forms of "flesh" for different purposes and environments in this present world, then He is certainly capable of creating a transformed, glorious body for the resurrected saints in the age to come. This verse challenges any narrow human conception of what a "body" must be, expanding our understanding of divine creativity and the potential for transformation. It underscores the principle that diversity is not a flaw but a hallmark of God's design, preparing the reader to accept that the resurrected body, while truly a body, will possess a different "glory" than the earthly one.

* [Philippians 3:21](/philippians/3-21 "Philippians 3:21 - Transformation of Our Bodies")
* [Romans 8:11](/romans/8-11 "Romans 8:11 - Resurrection by the Spirit")
* [1 John 3:2](/1_john/3-2 "1 John 3:2 - We Shall Be Like Him")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[1 Corinthians 15:39](/1_corinthians/15-39 "1 Corinthians 15:39 - Diversity of Flesh") offers a powerful reminder of God's boundless creativity and His ability to bring forth diverse forms from a common substance. For believers, this verse instills confidence in the reality of the resurrection, assuring us that God is not bound by our current understanding of physical limitations. Just as He designed the intricate variations in the natural world, He is fully capable of creating a perfected, glorious body for eternity. This truth should inspire awe at God's wisdom and power, fostering a deeper trust in His promises concerning our future hope. It encourages us to look beyond the decay and limitations of our current bodies, anticipating the glorious transformation that awaits those who are in Christ. Our hope is not in a mere reanimation of the old, but in a divine re-creation into something far more glorious and suited for eternal life with God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing the diversity in God's creation, as highlighted in this verse, strengthen your faith in His ability to resurrect and transform our bodies?**
* **In what ways might our current understanding of "body" limit our imagination regarding the nature of the resurrected body?**
* **What comfort or hope does the promise of a transformed, glorious body offer you in the face of physical decay, illness, or death?**

### FAQ

**Why does Paul bother to list different types of flesh? Isn't it obvious?**

Answer: While it might seem obvious to us that human flesh is different from fish flesh, Paul's purpose is not merely to state the obvious. He is using this simple, observable truth as a foundational premise for a more complex theological argument. The Corinthian church was struggling with the concept of a bodily resurrection, perhaps imagining a crude reanimation of their perishable earthly bodies. By demonstrating that even within the broad category of "flesh," there is immense diversity and distinct "glories" (as he elaborates in [1 Corinthians 15:40-41](/1_corinthians/15-40-41 "1 Corinthians 15:40-41 - Glories of Bodies")), Paul prepares his audience to accept that the resurrected body will be truly a body, but one of a different, glorious kind—a spiritual body, distinct from the natural body ([1 Corinthians 15:44](/1_corinthians/15-44 "1 Corinthians 15:44 - Natural vs. Spiritual Body")). He's building a logical case from the known to the unknown, from the natural to the supernatural.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[1 Corinthians 15:39](/1_corinthians/15-39 "1 Corinthians 15:39 - Diversity of Flesh"), while seemingly a simple observation about natural diversity, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the resurrection of Jesus Himself and the promise of our own transformed bodies in Him. Christ's resurrection body, though recognizable, was fundamentally different from His earthly body, demonstrating qualities of incorruption and glory that transcended natural limitations ([Luke 24:36-43](/luke/24-36-43 "Luke 24:36-43 - Jesus Appears to Disciples")). Paul's argument that "all flesh is not the same flesh" foreshadows the glorious transformation believers will undergo, being conformed to the image of Christ's resurrected body. Just as there are different "glories" of flesh, so too there is a profound difference between the perishable body we now possess and the imperishable, spiritual body we will receive at Christ's return ([1 Corinthians 15:42-44](/1_corinthians/15-42-44 "1 Corinthians 15:42-44 - Transformation to Incorruption")). This transformation is made possible by the victory of Christ over death, as He is the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ, the Firstfruits")). Our hope for a perfected, glorious existence, free from the limitations of our earthly bodies, is entirely grounded in the reality of Christ's resurrection and His power to transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body ([Philippians 3:21](/philippians/3-21 "Philippians 3:21 - Transformation of Our Bodies")). Thus, the diversity in creation points to the ultimate diversity in redemption, where our mortal bodies will put on immortality through Christ ([1 Corinthians 15:53-54](/1_corinthians/15-53-54 "1 Corinthians 15:53-54 - Victory Over Death")).

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

Genesis 1:20

¶ And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl [that] may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.

Genesis 1:26

¶ And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.