Bible Questions and Answers

What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 15:40-41?

1 Corinthians 15:40,41 There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.

Perhaps a modern version will help with the language.

1 Corinthians 15:40[NIV] There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendour of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendour of the earthly bodies is another. 41 The sun has one kind of splendour, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendour.

• Celestial (heavenly) bodies - The Sun, moon, stars, planets etc., that we see in the heavens.
• Terrestrial (earthly) bodies - The bodies of men, animals, birds, insects, trees, plants etc., that we see in the earth.

Everything that God made is designed to suit its environment and its purpose. Each is unique and has a splendour of its own.

Those accounted worthy of a place in the kingdom of God will be glorified with the divine nature, to fit them for eternal life, and each will have a splendour of their own. This is indicated symbolically in Revelation 2 in the giving of the hidden manna (that placed in a pot in the mercy seat and didn’t corrupt - Exodus 16:33) to eat, and a white stone with a name written on it known only to the individual and to God.

Revelation 2:17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless,
Glenn