Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 15:36
You fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses a hypothetical questioner in Corinth who doubts resurrection, immediately following their inquiry about the nature of the resurrected body.
The words — The Greek ἄφρων (aphrōn) translates literally as "fool," while ζῳοποιεῖται (zōopoieitai) means "is brought to life" or "comes to life."
The thread — The agricultural principle runs in John 12:24 regarding a wheat kernel, while the term "fool" appears in Luke 11:40 and Luke 12:20.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that renewal requires a prior termination, directly answering the Corinthian doubt about resurrection mechanics.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
Cross-references
- John 12:24 Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.
- Luke 11:40 You fools! Did not the One who made the outside make the inside as well?
- Luke 12:20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’
- Luke 24:25 Then Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
- Romans 1:22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,
- Ephesians 5:15 Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,