1 Corinthians 15:53

For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian church to explain the bodily transformation that occurs at the final trumpet. He places this statement immediately after describing how the dead will be raised and the living will be changed.

The words — The Greek δεῖ (dei) means "it behooves" or "must," establishing a non-negotiable divine requirement. The verb ἐνδύσασθαι (endusasthai) literally means "to put on," describing the act of clothing the perishable body with imperishability.

The thread — This clothing imagery appears in 2 Corinthians 5:2, where believers groan while longing to be clothed with a heavenly dwelling, and in Ephesians 4:24, which commands putting on the new self. The concept of transformation at Christ's appearance also surfaces in 1 John 3:2.

Why it lands — The text states that current physical frailty is temporary and will be permanently replaced by a divinely ordained state. It requires readers to align their expectations with the certainty of bodily transformation rather than current limitations.

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

δεῖdeiIt behooves γὰρgarfor τὸto<the>φθαρτὸνphthartonperishable τοῦτοtoutothis ἐνδύσασθαιendusasthaito put on ἀφθαρσίανaphtharsianimperishable καὶkaiand τὸto<the>θνητὸνthnētonmortal τοῦτοtoutothis ἐνδύσασθαιendusasthaito put on ἀθανασίαν.athanasianimmortality.

King James Version

For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

Cross-references

2 Corinthians 5:2 For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling,
1 John 3:2 Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.
Ephesians 4:24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Romans 2:7 To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life.
Romans 13:12 The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Galatians 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.