John Calvin Commentary 1 Corinthians 15:43

John Calvin Commentary

1 Corinthians 15:43

1509–1564
Protestant
John Calvin
John Calvin

John Calvin Commentary

1 Corinthians 15:43

1509–1564
Protestant
SCRIPTURE

"it is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:" — 1 Corinthians 15:43 (ASV)

It is sown in corruption. So that no doubt may remain, Paul explains himself by unfolding the difference between their present condition and what it will be after the resurrection. What connection, then, would there be in his argument if he had initially intended to distinguish between the different degrees of future glory among the saints? Therefore, there can be no doubt that he has, up to this point, been pursuing one subject.

He now returns to the first comparison that he had used, but applies it more closely to his purpose. Or, if you prefer, continuing with that comparison, he figuratively compares the time of the present life to the seedtime, and the resurrection to the harvest. He says that our body is now, indeed, subject to mortality and ignominy, but will then be glorious and incorruptible. He says the same thing in other words in Philippians 3:21:

Christ will change our vile body,
that he may make it like to his own glorious body.