1 Corinthians 15:40

The possibility of a future body unimaginably diff [2494] from the present is indicated in the contrast suggested by the diff [2495] regions of the two: “Bodies also heavenly there are, and bodies earthly”. The σὰρξ of 1 Corinthians 15:39 is now dropped, for it belongs only to the σῶμα ἐπίγειον. What does P. mean by his σώματα ἐπουράνια ? The previous context and the tenor of the argument lead us to think of bodies for celestial inhabitants, sc, the angels (Luke 20:36; Matthew 28:2, etc.), as suitable to their condition as the σώματα ἐπίγεια are for the forms of terrestrial life just enumerated (so Mr [2496], D.W [2497], Al [2498], El [2499], Sm [2500]); moreover σῶμα is never used elsewhere in Bib. Gr [2501], and rarely in cl [2502] Gr [2503], of inorganic bodies. On the other hand, 1 Corinthians 15:41 in connexion with 1 Corinthians 15:40 b strongly suggests the sun, moon, etc., as the “heavenly bodies” in Paul's mind (so Bg [2504], Hf [2505], Hn [2506], Ed [2507], Bt [2508], Gd [2509], and most moderns). The former considerations preponderate, esp. when we find P. in 1 Corinthians 15:47 ff. (see notes) resuming the same contrast in the antithesis between “the earthy man” and “the heavenly”. Paul is thinking of the risen Christ whom he had seen, more than of the angels, as supplying the type of the σῶμα ἐπουράνιον; cf. Philippians 3:20 f. Gm [2510], Hilgenfeld, Holsten, Everling (Die paul. Angelologie u.s.w., pp. 46 ff.) combine the above interpretations by attributing to P. the belief of Philo and the Jewish mystics that the stars are animated, and are to be identified with the O.T. “angels,” as by the heathen with their gods. This notion is wanting in Biblical support. P. asserts that there are “bodies” for heavenly beings, just as there are tor earthly (cf. 49); the adj [2511] ἐπουράνια supplies the ποιότης desiderated in 1 Corinthians 15:35. The heavenly and earthly bodies, alike as being “bodies,” are far diff [2512] in “glory”. ἀλλὰ ἑτέρα κ. τ. λ. traverses the mistaken inference as to the identity of nature in the two kinds of organism, which might be hastily drawn from 1 Corinthians 15:39 b : “But the glory of the heavenlies is indeed one (glory), and the (glory) of the earthlies another”. ἑτέρα (cf. note on 1 Corinthians 12:8 ff.) implies a diff [2513] wider, or at least more salient, than that connoted by the ἄλλη of 1 Corinthians 15:39; 1 Corinthians 15:41; where the two are distinguished in cl [2514] Gr [2515], ἄλλος marks a generic, ἕτερος a specific diff [2516] How utterly diff [2517] was the glory of the risen Lord, who appeared to P. (Acts 26:13), from that of any earthly Potentate!

[2494] difference, different, differently.

[2495] difference, different, differently.

[2496] Meyer's Critical and Exegetical Commentary (Eng. Trans.).

[2497].W. De Wette's Handbuch z. N. T.

[2498] Alford's Greek Testament.

[2499] C. J. Ellicott's St. Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians.

[2500] P. Schmiedel, in Handcommentar zum N.T. (1893).

[2501] Greek, or Grotius' Annotationes in N.T.

[2502] classical.

[2503] Greek, or Grotius' Annotationes in N.T.

[2504] Bengel's Gnomon Novi Testamenti.

[2505] J. C. K. von Hofmann's Die heilige Schrift N.T. untersucht, ii. 2 (2te Auflage, 1874).

[2506] C. F. G. Heinrici's Erklärung der Korintherbriefe (1880), or 1 Korinther in Meyer's krit.-exegetisches Kommentar (1896).

[2507] T. C. Edwards' Commentary on the First Ep. to the Corinthians. 2

[2508] J. A. Beet's St. Paul's Epp. to the Corinthians (1882).

[2509] F. Godet's Commentaire sur la prem. Ép. aux Corinthiens (Eng. Trans.).

[2510] Grimm-Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the N.T.

[2511] adjective.

[2512] difference, different, differently.

[2513] difference, different, differently.

[2514] classical.

[2515] Greek, or Grotius' Annotationes in N.T.

[2516] difference, different, differently.

[2517] difference, different, differently.