Does 1 Corinthians 15:50 Say That We Will Not Be Raised With Physical Bodies?

• Discussion:

          -Jehovah's Witnesses often present 1 Corinthians 15:50 as a cornerstone of their doctrinal framework, particularly in rejecting the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ and asserting the existence of a unique class of 144,000 individuals who, they claim, are resurrected as purely spirit beings. This verse is frequently quoted as follows:

          "Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable."

          At face value, this verse could be misconstrued to suggest that physical bodies are incompatible with God's kingdom. However, a closer examination of Scripture provides ample evidence refuting such a claim. For instance, after His resurrection, Jesus explicitly stated, "See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have" (Luke 24:39-40). This declaration was accompanied by a physical demonstration—He displayed His hands and feet, which bore the marks of His crucifixion, and even ate food in their presence (Luke 24:41-43). These actions served to prove that His resurrection was bodily and tangible, not merely spiritual or ghost-like.

          The argument that physical bodies are inherently unsuitable for the kingdom of God must be viewed in light of the Bible's broader teachings on glorification. While it is true that fallen humanity, represented by the phrase "flesh and blood," cannot inherit God's eternal kingdom, this does not mean that physicality itself is excluded. Instead, "flesh and blood" serves as a euphemism for humanity in its corrupted, mortal state—a condition resulting from the Fall (Genesis 3). In 1 Corinthians 15:53-55, Paul elaborates that the mortal must "put on" immortality and the perishable must "put on" imperishability. This transformation does not involve discarding physical bodies entirely; rather, it involves their perfection and glorification. Our physical nature will be restored to its pre-Fall state—untainted by sin, decay, or death.

          The biblical narrative provides additional examples affirming this understanding. Enoch, described in Genesis 5:24, was taken by God directly into heaven without experiencing death. The text gives no indication that Enoch's physical body was discarded or altered into a spirit-only existence. Similarly, Elijah was taken into heaven in a whirlwind while still in his earthly form (2 Kings 2:11).

          Jesus Himself serves as the ultimate model of resurrection and glorification. He ascended into heaven in a physical, human body (Acts 1:9-11), and He remains fully God and fully man, mediating between God and believers (1 Timothy 2:5). His return to judge the world is prophesied to occur in bodily form (Acts 17:31), and Paul emphasizes in Colossians 2:9 that in Christ "all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form." Thus, the glorified physicality of Christ exemplifies the type of resurrection believers can expect.

          The instantaneous nature of this transformation is described in 1 Corinthians 15:52, which says it will occur "in the twinkling of an eye" at the last trumpet. At this moment, the dead will be raised imperishable, and the living will be changed. This event reflects God's power to perfect His creation—restoring humanity to its intended state and preparing us to inhabit the New Heavens and New Earth (Revelation 21:1-4).

          While 1 Corinthians 15:50 states that "flesh and blood" cannot inherit God's kingdom, this does not negate the resurrection and glorification of physical bodies. Rather, it underscores the necessity of transformation—our fallen, mortal bodies must be made imperishable. Jesus Christ, in His glorified body, is the prototype for this future reality. His resurrection was tangible and physical, proving that humanity, in its perfected form, will indeed be fit to dwell eternally in God's presence.