… flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God …
Summary: Paul makes a statement that seems to contradict other passages in Scripture. Bending our minds around his thoughts sometimes requires looking at things from God’s point of view.
In his first letter to the church at Corinth, Paul talks about what it means to be raised from the dead or resurrected. He says, “If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body” (1 Cor 15:44). The two are not the same. He then goes on to state flatly, “I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God…”
Is this a bad thing?
Being called to be a Christian is a strange journey. We are spiritually stillborn when we first come into this world. When we read John’s gospel account we discover, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” (John 3:6)
But wait, wasn’t Jesus raised in the flesh? (1 John 4: 2-3) Yes, Scripture says that he was. Is this a contradiction? Paul doesn’t seem to think so. He writes, “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” (2 Corinthians 5:1)
We also know that God is spirit (John 4:24) and that Jesus, after he ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of God (Mark 16:19). How can human flesh coexist with the spiritual? How can the visible be seen sitting with the invisible? (Colossians 1:15, 1 Timothy 1:17)
For me to reconcile this in my mind, I have to allow that God’s view of things might be different than mine. If I am going to understand this, I have to look at it from God’s point of view.
What does God see?
Does he see more than one type of flesh? Does he make us in the flesh of this world using materials that are not eternal and then make a new body for us after the first body dies?
There are so many words in the Bible that have dual meanings, could “flesh” be one of them?
When Jesus was transfigured on the mountaintop; Peter, James, and John saw Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah. What kind of flesh were they wearing? Was it the kind that gets sick, aches with use, and gets old? Or, was it a spiritual kind that is eternally perfect in form and function?
It is not my place to tell you what to believe on this point. I know that some people have their hearts set on getting their original bodies back when they meet Jesus in the resurrection. I, for one, will be glad to leave behind the corruption that is inherent in my earthly flesh. I look forward to a new kind of flesh that is impervious to sin’s temptations and failings.
Application: If something in Scripture does not make sense, the problem is not with what God wrote.
Food for Thought: What examples of words in Scripture that have more than one meaning come to mind?
One word that comes to my mind is Earth. The Bible uses it to mean both the physical Earth and the people on the planet.
Genesis 1:1-2 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Genesis 11:1 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
Another word that comes to kind is life. The Bible uses it to mean to be alive (on Earth and eternally) and the manner of which you live.
Genesis 2:7 Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Hi Chris,
Welcome back! It is good to hear from you. Great examples, too! Thank you!
11-28-2022, What examples of words in Scripture that have more than one meaning come to mind?
The body of Christ could refer to His actual body while on earth and is a common New Testament metaphor for the Church (all those who are truly saved).
The Church may be called the Body of Christ because of these facts:
1) Members of the Body of Christ are joined to Christ in salvation.
Ephesians 4:15-16
2) Members of the Body of Christ follow Christ as their Head. Ephesians 1:22-23
Members of the Body of Christ are the physical representation of Christ in this world. The organism through which Christ manifests His life to the world today.
1) Members of the Body of Christ are in-dwelt by the Holy Spirit of Christ. Romans 8:9
2) Members of the Body of Christ possess a diversity of gifts suited to particular functions. “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ” (verse 12). 1 Corinthians 12:4-31
3) Members of the Body of Christ share a common bond with all other Christians, regardless of background, race, or ministry. “There should be no division in the body, but . . . its parts should have equal concern for each other”. 1 Corinthians 12:25
4) Members of the Body of Christ are secure in their salvation. For a Christian to lose his salvation, God would have to perform an “amputation” on the Body of Christ! John 10:28-30
5) Members of the Body of Christ partake of Christ’s death and resurrection. Colossians 2:12
6) Members of the Body of Christ share Christ’s inheritance. Romans 8:17
7) Members of the Body of Christ receive the gift of Christ’s righteousness. Romans 5:17
Ron,
This is an excellent “body” of work that you have accumulated! 🙂
Thank you!