Question: Does the statement in 1 Corinthians 15:50 that flesh and blood cannot enter the kingdom of heaven mean that resurrected beings cannot enter heaven?

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Flesh and blood cannot enter the kingdom of Heaven

Criticism

Critics attempt to use 1 Corinthians 15:50 as proof-text that a resurrected being with a body cannot enter into heaven, therefore, excluding a God with a body as well as resurrected saints.

Source(s) of the criticism

Response

The early Christians interpreted this scripture to mean something very different than our critics do. The following are some of thier thoughts:


“‘Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God’. He means the works of the flesh and blood, which, deprive men of the kingdom of God.”[1]


“When it is written that ‘flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God’, it is not the substance of the flesh that is condemned...but only the guilt of the flesh.”[2]


“‘Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.’..By ‘flesh’, he did not mean the flesh itself, but the irrational impulse towards the immoral pleasures of the should.”[3]


“At the time of the flood, when all persons had corrupted their way before God, it is recorded that God spoke in this manner, concerning undeserving men and sinners: ‘My Spirit will not abide with those men forever, because they are flesh.’ By this it is clearly shown that the Spirit of God is taken away from all who are unworthy.”[4]


“Jesus is still sitting there at the right hand of the Father. He is man, yet also God. He is the last Adam; yet, He is also the primary Word. He is flesh and blood, yet purer than ours, and he will ‘descend in like manner as He ascended into heaven.’ That is, He will be the same both in substance and in form.”[5]

Conclusion

Endnotes

  1. [note]  Ante-Nicene Fathers 3:451, Tertullian 207 AD, W
  2. [note] Ante-Nicene Fathers 5:620, Novation 235 AD, W
  3. [note] Ante-Nicene Fathers 6:374, Methodius, as quoted by Photius, 290 AD, E
  4. [note] Ante-Nicene Fathers 4:254, Origen, 225 AD, E
  5. [note] Ante-Nicene Fathers 3:584, Tertullian, 197 AD, W


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