King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 15:37 Mean?

1 Corinthians 15:37 in the King James Version says “And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some ...” — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:”

1 Corinthians 15:37 · KJV

Context

35

But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?

36

Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:

37

And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:

38

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

39

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be (καὶ ὃ σπείρεις, οὐ τὸ σῶμα τὸ γενησόμενον σπείρεις)—Paul emphasizes radical transformation. The seed you plant (speireis, σπείρεις) is not the plant that will emerge (to sōma to genesomenon, τὸ σῶμα τὸ γενησόμενον, "the body that will come into being"). An acorn looks nothing like an oak; a grain of wheat nothing like a wheat stalk. Yet there's identity—the oak is the acorn transformed, not a different entity.

But bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain (ἀλλὰ γυμνὸν κόκκον, εἰ τύχοι σίτου ἤ τινος τῶν λοιπῶν)—The word gymnon (γυμνόν, "bare, naked") indicates the seed's simple, unimpressive form. The resurrection body will be as different from the earthly body as a wheat plant from a grain—yet continuous in identity. Paul answers the 'how' question: God transforms radically while preserving identity.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient understanding of botany was observational, not cellular/genetic. Paul's argument doesn't require modern science—it uses visible natural processes to analogize invisible spiritual realities. The seed-plant transformation, observable to all, demonstrates God's power to radically transform while maintaining continuity.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the dramatic difference between seed and plant answer concerns about resurrection body's form?
  2. What does 'bare grain' suggest about our current bodies compared to resurrection bodies?
  3. How does maintaining identity through transformation help us understand personal continuity in resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 19 words
καὶ1 of 19

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὃ2 of 19

“that which”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

σπείρεις3 of 19

“thou sowest”

G4687

to scatter, i.e., sow (literally or figuratively)

οὐ4 of 19

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

τὸ5 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σῶμα6 of 19

“that body”

G4983

the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively

τὸ7 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γενησόμενον8 of 19

“that shall be”

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

σπείρεις9 of 19

“thou sowest”

G4687

to scatter, i.e., sow (literally or figuratively)

ἀλλὰ10 of 19

“but”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

γυμνὸν11 of 19

“bare”

G1131

nude (absolute or relative, literal or figurative)

κόκκον12 of 19

“grain”

G2848

a kernel of seed

εἰ13 of 19
G1487

if, whether, that, etc

τύχοι14 of 19

“it may chance”

G5177

akin to the base of g5088 through the idea of effecting; properly, to affect; or (specially), to hit or light upon (as a mark to be reached), i.e., (t

σίτου15 of 19

“of wheat”

G4621

grain, especially wheat

ἤ16 of 19

“or”

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

τινος17 of 19

“of some”

G5100

some or any person or object

τῶν18 of 19
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λοιπῶν·19 of 19

“other”

G3062

remaining ones

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Corinthians 15:37 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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