ἀλλὰ ἐρεῖ τις. We now proceed from the fact of the resurrection to its manner, a question which the Apostle discusses as far as 1 Corinthians 15:54, where he begins to treat of its result. The steps of the argument are as follows. The seed dies before it comes up. God then gives it a body according to the law of its life, and different bodies to different seeds (1 Corinthians 15:35-38). This diversity exists among animals (1 Corinthians 15:39), and in the heavenly bodies (1 Corinthians 15:40-41). Next we enter upon the contrasts between the present and the future life (1 Corinthians 15:42-44), as resulting from the relation of each life to its prototype (1 Corinthians 15:45-49). The transition from the present to the future life will be the result of a wondrous change (1 Corinthians 15:50-53).

ποίῳ δὲ σώματι. It was the doctrine of the Resurrection of the body which was the stumbling-block of many hearers of the Gospel. Estius remarks that the Pharisees taught that men would rise again with bodies possessing in every respect the same functions as those in which they were laid in the grave. This was a difficulty to many, especially to the Sadducees. See Matthew 22:23-33. To remove these difficulties St Paul now explains the nature (ποῖος) of the Resurrection body, and of the process whereby it is brought into being.

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Old Testament