1 Corinthians 15:50 Meaning and Explanation
“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Our present fragile bodies cannot enter God's eternal kingdom unchanged, so God promises to make us new.
The Context of 1 Corinthians 15:50
Paul is nearing the climax of his long chapter on resurrection. Having argued that the dead are raised, he now explains what kind of body we will need, since our mortal frame as it is cannot pass into the life to come.
What Does 1 Corinthians 15:50 Mean?
"Flesh and blood" was a common way of speaking about us as we are now, frail, mortal, and bound to wear out. Paul says plainly that this perishable life, just as it stands, cannot enter the kingdom of God. "Corruption" here means everything in us that decays and dies; "incorruption" means the life that never fades. The two simply cannot trade places on their own. We cannot carry our dying selves into undying glory by sheer effort. Something has to be changed in us, and only God can do the changing.
Paul says this to set up wonder, to lift our eyes toward what God will do. In the very next verses he reveals a mystery: "we shall all be changed... and the dead shall be raised incorruptible" (verses 51-52). Because Christ rose with a body that death could not hold, He will raise us the same way and clothe our mortality with His undying life. The frailty we feel now is real, but it is not the end of the story. God means to make us imperishable, like the risen Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:50 in the Original Language
aphtharsia (ἀφθαρσία), 'incorruption' -- the state of being beyond decay, imperishable and undying.
How to Apply 1 Corinthians 15:50 Today
This verse is honest about the limits of our mortal bodies, yet it points straight to hope. The work of making us fit for eternity rests in God's hands, not our own strength, and He promises to change us. Because Christ rose imperishable, our frailty now is not the final word, and the life He carries He will share with us.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 15:50
What does 1 Corinthians 15:50 mean?
Our present fragile bodies cannot enter God's eternal kingdom unchanged, so God promises to make us new.
What is the context of 1 Corinthians 15:50?
Paul is nearing the climax of his long chapter on resurrection. Having argued that the dead are raised, he now explains what kind of body we will need, since our mortal frame as it is cannot pass into the life to come.
How can I apply 1 Corinthians 15:50 today?
This verse is honest about the limits of our mortal bodies, yet it points straight to hope. The work of making us fit for eternity rests in God's hands, not our own strength, and He promises to change us. Because Christ rose imperishable, our frailty now is not the final word, and the life He carries He will share with us.