1 Corinthians 15:41Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He expresses the same thing still more clearly here, continuing: "Not all flesh is the same flesh" (1 Cor 15:39). Why, he says, do I point to seeds? We can see the same thing in the bodies now under discussion. Therefore he continues: "But there is one flesh of men, another flesh of cattle, another of fish, and another of birds. There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies. But the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly another. The glory of the sun is one, the glory of the moon another, and the glory of the stars another. For star differs from star in glory" (1 Cor 15:39-41). Why are these words here? Why has the Apostle turned from the resurrection of bodies to speech about the stars and the sun? He has not turned aside, nor departed from the subject.

A little earlier he spoke of the difference in the bodies of sinners, beginning with men and then mentioning birds, cattle, and fish. For sinners too, having first been men, afterward fell to likeness with the irrational creatures (Ps 48:21). So now he shows the distinctions among the righteous. All, he says, are in glory, but the light of the sun is one, that of the moon another, and that of each body as it happens. For stars differ from stars in glory, that is, in light. The glory of the stars consists in light. Some understood the heavenly bodies to mean angels, but I think this is incorrect. From the fact that he brought forward the sun, moon, and stars, it is clear that he is speaking about them.

In the body the eyes are held in great honor, yet they would have less honor if there were nothing besides eyes, or if the body had no other parts of lesser importance. In heaven the sun surpasses the moon by its light, yet it does not reproach it. For star differs from star in glory, but does not measure itself against it in pride.

Star differs from star in glory, and in the one body of the Church there are different members. The sun has its own radiance, while the moon moderates the darkness of the night. Five other constellations, called wandering stars, move by crossing, running through, and illuminating heaven. Countless are the other stars, whose light we distinguish in the firmament of heaven. The luminaries are individually different, and each is so perfect in its own way that this perfection fades only in comparison with something more perfect. So it is also in the body, whose parts are different. One acts as the eye, another as the hand, a third as the foot. Thus the Apostle also says: "The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you'; nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you'" (1 Cor 12:21).

Thus among the righteous, some "will shine" like "the sun" (Mt 13:43), others like the moon. Some will be likened to the brightness of the most brilliant stars, and others will be compared with less radiant ones. Having shown this difference also, the Apostle passes to the teaching on the common resurrection.

Divine Scripture urges our free will to strive toward various degrees of perfection, according to the condition and measure of each one's spiritual capacities. It could not propose one identical crown of perfection for all, because not all have equal strength to attain it. Nor do all have the same disposition and striving toward it. Therefore the word of God has appointed different degrees and different measures within the perfections themselves. This is clearly shown by the distinction among the evangelical beatitudes. Blessed are those to whom the Kingdom of Heaven belongs. Blessed also are those who shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who shall be comforted. Blessed are those who shall be filled.

The image of the resurrection and the diversity of glory in the bodies that are to rise (1 Cor 15:35-46). To those who object against the possibility of the resurrection of bodies, the holy Apostle Paul points to the wondrous process of growth and renewal in seeds cast into the earth. He explains the diversity of the glory of bodies after the resurrection by other comparisons as well. Here earthly bodies of different creatures differ among themselves in relative dignity: men, cattle, fish, and birds. Heavenly bodies, the sun, moon, and stars, surpass earthly bodies. The heavenly bodies themselves differ endlessly from one another in radiance and brilliance. In precisely the same way, at the resurrection of the dead, the risen bodies will be far more excellent than they were on earth. Yet even with certain shared excellent qualities, they will still differ endlessly from one another in the degree of their glorification.

On earth there are different kinds of bodies: of fish, birds, animals, and man. In the visible heaven there are also different bodies: the sun, the moon, and the stars, likewise different in their composition and appearance. So too the bodies of those who rise will differ according to their present dignity. Now our body is corruptible, weak, and natural, that is, filled with sinful passions. Then it will be incorruptible, strong, and spiritual, that is, passionless. "Look at the heavenly bodies," says St. John Chrysostom, "so bright, unchanging, and never growing old. Believe that God can make corruptible bodies incorruptible, and far better than the visible ones." Then, turning attention to the difference between the various earthly and heavenly bodies indicated by the Apostle, St.

Just as above, when speaking of earthly bodies, the Apostle was not content to speak of them generally, but enumerated their different kinds, so now, speaking of heavenly bodies, he is not content to speak of them generally. He also enumerates them as they appear to the simple eye: the sun, the moon, and the stars. They are of different degrees, but all are of one rank: bodies shining upon the earth. He lists them in order to hold attention on them longer and to establish the thought that they are altogether unlike earthly bodies. In common opinion, heaven with its bodies represents all that is better and more perfect, just as earth represents every deficiency and weakness.