King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 15:39 Mean?

1 Corinthians 15:39 in the King James Version says “All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and ... — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

1 Corinthians 15:39 · KJV


Context

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.

40

There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

41

There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
All flesh is not the same flesh (οὐ πᾶσα σὰρξ ἡ αὐτὴ σάρξ)—Paul expands from plants to animals, demonstrating God's creative diversity. The word sarx (σάρξ, "flesh") refers to material embodiment. The fourfold classification—one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds—demonstrates that physical embodiment takes radically different forms, yet all are sarx.

Paul's logic: if God fashions diverse embodied forms in present creation, why doubt He can fashion resurrection bodies different from earthly bodies yet truly embodied? The variation in created flesh refutes the objection that only one kind of body is possible. God's creative power is not exhausted by present forms—He can and will create appropriate embodiment for the age to come.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient biology recognized broad categories of embodied life. Paul's categorization (humans, land animals, fish, birds) reflects Genesis 1 creation order. His argument: the God who created such diverse embodied life can certainly create new embodied forms for resurrection. Present creation displays God's creativity; eschatological re-creation will display even greater glory.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the diversity of embodied life in creation demonstrate God's power to create resurrection bodies?
  2. What does Paul's argument from present to future creation teach about continuity between the ages?
  3. Why is maintaining true embodiment (not disembodied souls) important for biblical anthropology?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
οὐ1 of 21

is not

G3756

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

πᾶσα2 of 21

All

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

σὰρξ3 of 21

flesh

G4561

flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or

4 of 21
G3588

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

αὐτὴ5 of 21

the same

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

σὰρξ6 of 21

flesh

G4561

flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or

ἀλλὰ7 of 21

but

G235

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

ἄλλη8 of 21

another

G243

"else," i.e., different (in many applications)

μὲν9 of 21
G3303

properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)

σὰρξ10 of 21

flesh

G4561

flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or

ἀνθρώπων11 of 21

of men

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ἄλλη12 of 21

another

G243

"else," i.e., different (in many applications)

δὲ13 of 21

and

G1161

but, and, etc

σὰρξ14 of 21

flesh

G4561

flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or

κτηνῶν15 of 21

of beasts

G2934

property, i.e., (specially) a domestic animal

ἄλλη16 of 21

another

G243

"else," i.e., different (in many applications)

δὲ17 of 21

and

G1161

but, and, etc

ἰχθύων18 of 21

of fishes

G2486

a fish

ἄλλη19 of 21

another

G243

"else," i.e., different (in many applications)

δὲ20 of 21

and

G1161

but, and, etc

πτηνῶν21 of 21

of birds

G4421

a bird


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 15:39 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Corinthians 15:39 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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