1 Corinthians 15:35 – “But someone will ask, ‘How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?’”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Paul introduces a question that some people in the Corinthian church were asking—how exactly will the dead be raised? What kind of body will they have?

Some were asking this sincerely, but others were likely being skeptical or even mocking the idea of resurrection. The Greeks, influenced by their philosophy, believed that the soul was good, but the physical body was weak and corrupt. The idea that the body could be raised after death seemed ridiculous to them.

Paul doesn’t dismiss the question, but he goes on to explain in the following verses that resurrection is a reality, and the new body will be different from the earthly body—glorious, imperishable, and suited for eternity.

This verse marks the transition from defending the truth of the resurrection (earlier in the chapter) to explaining how it will happen. Paul wants the Corinthians to understand that resurrection is not just a spiritual idea; it’s a real, physical transformation that God has planned.

Historical Context

Corinth was a Greek city, and Greek thought heavily influenced its people. Many Greeks believed in an afterlife, but they didn’t believe in a bodily resurrection. Instead, they thought the soul would be freed from the physical body after death.

Because of this, some in the Corinthian church had trouble accepting the idea of resurrection. They might have thought:

• How can a dead body be brought back to life?
• Won’t a resurrected body just be weak and decayed like before?
• Isn’t it better if we just live as spirits without bodies?

Paul knew this way of thinking was creeping into the church, and he addressed it head-on. He taught that resurrection is not about bringing back the same broken body, but receiving a transformed, glorified body.

Theological Implications

This verse highlights a major truth: resurrection is not just a metaphor—it’s a real, physical event.

1. Resurrection is central to Christian hope. Paul had already said that if the dead are not raised, then faith is useless (1 Corinthians 15:17). He now moves into explaining how it works.
2. Our future body will be different from our current body. The resurrection body will not have weakness, sin, or decay. Paul describes it as glorious and imperishable in later verses (1 Corinthians 15:42-44).
3. God’s power makes resurrection possible. Some might doubt how the dead can be raised, but the same God who created the universe can give new life to the body.

This verse sets the stage for one of the most detailed teachings about resurrection in the Bible. Paul wants believers to know that what God has planned for their future is far greater than they can imagine.

Literary Analysis

Paul is using a rhetorical technique here by posing a question that he then answers. He knows that some in the church were doubting, so he addresses their skepticism head-on.

• The phrase “But someone will ask” suggests that Paul is responding to an argument or doubt he has already encountered.
• The two questions “How are the dead raised?” and “With what kind of body will they come?” reflect both curiosity and skepticism.
• In the following verses (1 Corinthians 15:36-44), Paul uses the analogy of a seed and a plant to explain how resurrection works—just as a seed dies and is transformed into something greater, so too will the body be transformed in resurrection.

This verse is a turning point in the chapter, shifting from proving the fact of resurrection to explaining its nature.

Biblical Cross-References

• Philippians 3:20-21 – “The Lord Jesus Christ… will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”
• Romans 8:11 – “He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies.”
• John 11:25-26 – Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”
• Daniel 12:2 – A prophecy about the resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
• Luke 24:39 – After His resurrection, Jesus said, “Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” Jesus’ resurrection was physical, not just spiritual.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

Many people today have the same doubts as the Corinthians—how can the dead really be raised? Some even think heaven will be only spiritual, with no physical reality. Paul’s teaching corrects this.

For believers today, this means:

• Our resurrection is real, not just symbolic. We will have actual bodies, just like Jesus after He rose from the dead.
• Our future body will be better than our current one. No more sickness, weakness, or sin.
• We don’t need to fear death. Death is not the end—God has a glorious future planned for those who believe in Him.

This verse challenges us to trust in God’s power and believe in His promises about the future.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

Some people struggle to understand why God would raise the body at all—why not just let the soul live in heaven? The answer is found in God’s love.

1. God created the body, and He values it. When He made humanity, He called it “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Our bodies are not a mistake; they are part of His design.
2. God restores what sin has broken. Sin brought death and decay, but God’s plan is to redeem both the soul and the body.
3. God wants us to enjoy eternal life in a full, complete way. He doesn’t just save part of us—He saves all of us, body and soul.

The resurrection is an act of God’s love. He is not just offering us survival after death—He is offering us full, eternal life.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus is the proof that resurrection is real.

• Jesus was raised with a physical body. He ate, walked, and talked with His disciples after rising from the dead (Luke 24:36-43).
• Jesus’ resurrection guarantees our own. Paul says that Christ is “the firstfruits” of those who will be raised (1 Corinthians 15:20). This means His resurrection is the first of many.
• Jesus conquered death. Because He rose, death no longer has the final word (Revelation 1:18).

The Corinthians doubted the resurrection because they didn’t understand how it could happen. But Paul points them to Jesus—the One who not only taught about resurrection but proved it by rising from the dead.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Have you ever struggled with doubts about the resurrection? How does this passage encourage you?
2. How does the promise of resurrection change the way you view death?
3. What are some ways you can trust God more with things you don’t fully understand?
4. How does knowing that we will have a new, perfect body impact your hope for the future?
5. In what ways can you help others understand the truth about resurrection?

Paul’s question in 1 Corinthians 15:35 is one that people still ask today. But instead of doubting, we should trust in God’s promises. The resurrection is real, and for those who believe in Jesus, an incredible future awaits.