1 Corinthians 15:48-50
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
48 As was the earthly one, so also are the earthly, and as is the heavenly one, so also are the heavenly. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the earthly one, we shall also bear the image[a] of the heavenly one.(A)
The Resurrection Event. 50 [b]This I declare, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does corruption[c] inherit incorruption.(B)
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- 15:49 We shall also bear the image: although it has less manuscript support, this reading better fits the context’s emphasis on futurity and the transforming action of God; on future transformation as conformity to the image of the Son, cf. Rom 8:29; Phil 3:21. The majority reading, “let us bear the image,” suggests that the image of the heavenly man is already present and exhorts us to conform to it.
- 15:50–57 These verses, an answer to the first question of 1 Cor 15:35, explain theologically how the change of properties from one image to another will take place: God has the power to transform, and he will exercise it.
- 15:50–53 Flesh and blood…corruption: living persons and the corpses of the dead, respectively. In both cases, the gulf between creatures and God is too wide to be bridged unless God himself transforms us.
1 Corinthians 15:48-50
New International Version
48 As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven.(A) 49 And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man,(B) so shall we[a] bear the image of the heavenly man.(C)
50 I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood(D) cannot inherit the kingdom of God,(E) nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.(F)
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 15:49 Some early manuscripts so let us
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