Will There Be Differences
Among Resurrected Bodies?
Wolfgang Musculus: Various interpreters explain this passage in different ways.
Some relate this comparison of flesh and bodies to the difference of glory that
will exist among resurrected bodies after the resurrection, by which some will
be more distinguished in accordance to the superiority of their merits. Hence,
in this sense: Not only will the nature of our body in the resurrection be
different from that nature it has in death and the grave, but also, when we are
resurrected, there will be a great difference between those who have been
resurrected as it relates to the splendor of the glorified bodies. For just as
in this life, some creatures possess the body of a human, others of an animal,
others of a fish, others of a bird, although all are of the same flesh (as it
pertains to its substance); and just as bodies differ among themselves, some of
which are celestial bodies and others earthly bodies, although they all share a
bodily nature; and just as glory differs among celestial bodies, so that one
star differs from another in splendor, and the moon is brighter than the stars,
and in truth the sun surpasses the moon in its splendor, though they share the
same celestial substance—so it will be in the resurrection of the dead. Some,
like the sun, will reflect the glory of Christ; others will reflect the glory
of the patriarchs; others the glory of the prophets; others the glory of the
apostles; others the glory of pastors and doctors; still others the glory of
the rest of the faithful—although all will share in the joy and immortality of
the future resurrection. This interpretation is followed by church fathers such
as Chrysostom, Ambrose, and Augustine.…
Other interpreters do not think this text refers to the difference
between resurrected bodies, whereby either the elect are distinguished from the
reprobate, or the elect are distinguished among themselves on the basis of
different splendor. Rather, they think that this text refers to the same
difference mentioned in the previous example, where the body produced from its
seed indicates how a body springs forth with different qualities. This
explanation is most acceptable to me also. Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:39.
. . .
Despite Differences in
Glory, Heavenly Bodies Share the Same Essence. Martin Luther: In the third place, after
Paul has spoken of all kinds of living bodies, he also speaks of other bodies
in general. Thus he briefly mentions all the physical or visible creatures,
gold, silver, fire, water, stone, wood, iron, and whatever other terrestrial
things there may be. And then he also mentions everything up in the heavens,
sun, moon, planets, and other stars, which he calls “celestial bodies.” There
are so very many terrestrial or celestial bodies, and yet each one is
distinguished in kind from the other. The one is always more glorious and
precious than the other: gold is better than lead; silver is better than straw;
jewels are better than fieldstones. And among the celestial bodies the sun is
more resplendent and beautiful than the moon, and one star is more beautiful
and brighter than another. And yet all stars have one nature or body. And
everything on earth is also God’s creature, the least as well as the greatest
and the most precious. Similarly, in the life to come, too, there will be
various differences with regard to brightness and glory. And yet all will be of
one heavenly essence as one body and as members of Christ. So there are many
and various members in one natural body, each bearing its own name and
fulfilling its own functions or offices, and yet all partake of the one essence
and nature of the one body. Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:39–42. (1
Corinthians: New Testament, ed. Scott M. Manetsch, Timothy George,
and David W. McNutt [Reformation Commentary on Scripture 9a; Downers Grove,
Ill.: IVP Academic, 2017], 389, 390)
