From Groans to Glory

¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing^(A) with the glory^(B) that is going to be revealed to us. ¹⁹ For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation^(C) for God’s sons^(D) to be revealed. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected^(E) to futility^(F)—not willingly, but because of him who subjected it^(G)—in the hope ²¹ that the creation itself^(H) will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children. ²² For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains^(I) until now. ²³ Not only that,^(J) but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits^(K)—we also groan within ourselves,^(L) eagerly waiting for adoption,^(M) the redemption of our bodies.^{(N) 24} Now in this hope^(O) we were saved, but hope^(P) that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? ²⁵ Now if we hope for what we do not see,^(Q) we eagerly wait for it with patience.

Christ’s Resurrection Guarantees Ours

²⁰ But as it is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits^(A) of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For since death^(B) came through a man,^(C) the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man.^{(D) 22} For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.^(E)

²³ But each in his own order:^(F) Christ, the firstfruits; afterward, at his coming, those who belong to Christ. ²⁴ Then comes the end,^(G) when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father,^(H) when he abolishes all rule and all authority and power.^{(I) 25} For he must reign^(J) until he puts all his enemies under his feet.^{(K) 26} The last enemy to be abolished is death.^{(L) 27} For God has put everything under his feet.^[a](M) Now when it says “everything” is put under him, it is obvious that he who puts everything under him is the exception. ²⁸ When everything is subject to Christ, then the Son^(N) himself will also be subject to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all.^(O)

Resurrection Supported by Christian Experience

²⁹ Otherwise what will they do who are being baptized for the dead?^[b] If the dead are not raised at all, then why are people baptized for them?^{[c] 30} Why are we in danger every hour? ³¹ I face death every day,^(P) as surely as I may boast about you, brothers and sisters, in Christ Jesus our Lord. ³² If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus^(Q) as a mere man, what good did that do me?^(R) If the dead are not raised, Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.^{[d](S) 33} Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” ³⁴ Come to your senses^[e](T) and stop sinning; for some people are ignorant about God. I say this to your shame.^(U)

The Nature of the Resurrection Body

³⁵ But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? What kind of body will they have when they come?” ³⁶ You fool! What you sow does not come to life^(V) unless it dies. ³⁷ And as for what you sow—you are not sowing the body that will be, but only a seed, perhaps of wheat or another grain. ³⁸ But God gives it a body as he wants,^(W) and to each of the seeds its own body. ³⁹ Not all flesh^(X) is the same flesh; there is one flesh for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. ⁴⁰ There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the splendor^(Y) of the heavenly bodies is different from that of the earthly ones. ⁴¹ There is a splendor of the sun, another of the moon, and another of the stars; in fact, one star differs from another star in splendor. ⁴² So it is with the resurrection of the dead: Sown in corruption, raised in incorruption;^{(Z) 43} sown in dishonor,^(AA) raised in glory;^(AB) sown in weakness, raised in power;^{(AC) 44} sown a natural body, raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. ⁴⁵ So it is written, The first man Adam became a living being;^[f](AD) the last Adam^(AE) became a life-giving spirit. ⁴⁶ However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, then the spiritual.

⁴⁷ The first man was from the earth, a man of dust;^(AF) the second man is^[g] from heaven. ⁴⁸ Like the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; like the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven.^{(AG) 49} And just as we have borne the image^(AH) of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven.^(AI)

Victorious Resurrection

⁵⁰ What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: Flesh^(AJ) and blood^(AK) cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor can corruption inherit incorruption. ⁵¹ Listen, I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.^(AL) For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. ⁵³ For this corruptible body must be clothed^(AM) with incorruptibility,^(AN) and this mortal body must be clothed with immortality. ⁵⁴ When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place:

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin^(AR) is the law.^{(AS) 57} But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory^(AT) through our Lord Jesus Christ!

⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work,^(AU) because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

The Comfort of Christ’s Coming

¹³ We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.^{(A) 14} For if we believe that Jesus died and rose^(B) again,^(C) in the same way, through Jesus,^(D) God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁵ For we say this to you by a word from the Lord:^(E) We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming^(F) will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.^{(G) 16} For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout,^[a](H) with the archangel’s^(I) voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ^(J) will rise first. ¹⁷ Then^(K) we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds^(L) to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage^[b] one another with these words.

The New Creation

21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth;^(A) for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away,^(B) and the sea was no more.^{(C) 2} I also saw the holy city,^(D) the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,^(E) prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.^(F)

³ Then I heard a loud voice^(G) from the throne:^[a](H) Look, God’s dwelling^[b] is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples,^[c](I) and God himself will be with them and will be their God.^{[d] 4} He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.^(J) Death will be no more;^(K) grief, crying, and pain will be no more,^(L) because the previous things^[e] have passed away.^(M)

⁵ Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words^[f] are faithful and true.”^(N)