moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in
glory. (1 Corinthians 15)
While there is much we could say about these verses, what I want us to see
here is that Paul says that there are different kinds of bodies and each
reflects something of the glory of its Maker. Each of these bodies, whether
the sun, moon or stars is unique from the other. The point he appears to be
making here is that the earthly body we have now is different from the body
we will have at the resurrection. Paul will go on in this passage to describe
some of those differences.
First, Paul told the Corinthians that when our bodies are sown into the
ground they are perishable. That is to say, they will decompose in the soil.
That perishable seed, however, when sown into the ground produces an
imperishable fruit—it is raised imperishable. It is raised to live eternally.
The resurrected body will not be subject to death (see 1 Corinthians 15:42).
Second, the earthly body is sown into the ground in dishonour. There is no
real honour in death. We may certainly die an honourable death, but by its
very nature death strips us of everything we have and have ever worked to
achieve. It humbles us and we are powerless to stand against it. Paul told
the Corinthians, however, that the body that was sown in dishonour into the
ground will raise in glory (1 Corinthians 15:42; Philippians 3:20-21). It will
rise to stand before God. It will rise victorious over death.
Third, this earthly body will die in weakness. Our bodies are subject to
sickness and are often not strong enough to conquer the illnesses that come
our way. In death, the body grows weaker and weaker until it is no longer
able to keep up with the demands of oxygen and blood. The resurrected
body said Paul will be a body that is raised in power (1 Corinthians 15:43).
It will not be subject to the weaknesses of our present earthly body.
Fourth, Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15 that the body we have now is a
natural body. The word “natural” here literally means “of the earth”. That is
to say that this body belongs to the earth and is dependent on the earth for
survival. Paul tells us that at the resurrection, our bodies will be spiritual.
We should not confuse this to mean that our bodies will not be physical.