Topical Encyclopedia
The term "perishable" in the Bible often refers to things that are temporary, subject to decay, or destined to pass away. This concept is frequently contrasted with the imperishable, which denotes that which is eternal, enduring, and incorruptible. The distinction between perishable and imperishable is used to illustrate spiritual truths, particularly concerning the nature of human life, the resurrection, and the eternal kingdom of God.
Biblical Usage and Context1.
Human Life and Mortality: The Bible frequently uses the concept of perishability to describe the transient nature of human life. In
1 Peter 1:24, it is written, "For, 'All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall.'" This passage highlights the fleeting nature of human existence, emphasizing that life on earth is temporary and subject to decay.
2.
Earthly Wealth and Possessions: Jesus teaches about the perishable nature of earthly treasures in
Matthew 6:19-20: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." Here, the perishability of material wealth is contrasted with the enduring value of spiritual treasures.
3.
The Resurrection: The Apostle Paul uses the concept of perishability to explain the transformation that occurs in the resurrection. In
1 Corinthians 15:42-44, he writes, "So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body." This passage underscores the transformation from a perishable, mortal body to an imperishable, glorified body in the resurrection.
4.
The Word of God: In contrast to the perishability of human life and earthly things, the Word of God is described as imperishable.
1 Peter 1:23 states, "For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God." This highlights the eternal and unchanging nature of God's Word, which stands in stark contrast to the temporary nature of the world.
5.
The Christian's Inheritance: Believers are promised an inheritance that is imperishable.
1 Peter 1:4 describes this inheritance as "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you." This assurance provides hope and encouragement to Christians, reminding them of the eternal rewards that await them in contrast to the perishable nature of earthly life.
Theological ImplicationsThe concept of perishability serves as a reminder of the temporal nature of the physical world and the eternal nature of spiritual realities. It calls believers to focus on what is eternal and to live in light of the imperishable promises of God. The contrast between perishable and imperishable encourages Christians to prioritize their spiritual lives, seek eternal treasures, and place their hope in the resurrection and the eternal kingdom of God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
a.) Liable to perish; subject to decay, destruction, or death; as, perishable goods; our perishable bodies.
Greek
5349. phthartos --perishable, corruptible...perishable, corruptible. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: phthartos Phonetic
Spelling: (fthar-tos') Short Definition: corruptible,
perishable...5356. phthora -- destruction, corruption
... Word Origin from phtheiro Definition destruction, corruption NASB Word Usage corruption
(4), destruction (1), killed (1), perish (1),perishable (2)....
5517. choikos -- earthy, made of dust
... heavenly". 1 Cor 15:50: "Now I say this, brethren, inherit the kingdom
of God; does theperishable inherit the imperishable" ()....
861. aphtharsia -- incorruptibility
... Cognate: 861 -- properly, no-corruption (unable to experience deterioration); (not
perishable), ie lacking the to decay or break down. See 862a ()....
622. apollumi -- to destroy, destroy utterly
... bring (1), destroy (17), destroyed (9), dying (1), end (1), killed (1), lose (10),
loses (7), lost (14), passed away (1), perish (14),perishable (1), perished...
Library
The Work of the DemiurgePerishable.
... Book VI. Chapter XLIX."The Work of the DemiurgePerishable. And in addition
to these (points, they lay down) that the Demiurge...
Plato's Self-Contradiction.
... For having formerly stated that he said that everything which is produced isperishable,
he now introduces him saying the very opposite; and he does not see...
Peace in Believing.
... My soul! is it thine? Sure I am it is not, if thou art seeking it in aperishable
world, or in theperishable creature, or in thyperishable self....
Entering into the Infinite
... of temporal comforts and luxuries, the divinity within men is drugged, and they
sink deeper and deeper into materiality, into theperishable life of the senses...
The Apology of Aristides as it is Preserved in the History of...
... And it occurs to me as surprising, O King, how it is that their so-called philosophers
have quite failed to observe that the elements themselves areperishable...
Sermon for the Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
... here instruct us in the truth with plain unvarnished words and pertinent figures,
when, forbidding us to be anxious about earthly andperishable things, he says...
Now Compare the Words of Origen, which I have Translated Word for...
... Against this Origen rightly asserts that he is not ofperishable substance,
but that it is by his own will that he fell and can be saved....
Tent and Building
... of clay,' but because, by all its capacities, it belongs to, corresponds with, and
is fitted only for, this lower order of things, the seen and theperishable....
How Deceitful the Love of this World Is, and How Amiable God Is.
... Eternal Wisdom."Those who for My sake give upperishable affections, and receive
Me with sincere faith and love, and remain constant to the end, will I...
He Next Skilfully Confutes the Partial, Empty and Blasphemous...
... That, therefore, which is neither everlasting nor without end is surely seen
in the nature which isperishable and mortal. Accordingly...
Thesaurus
Perishable (9 Occurrences)... (a.) Liable to perish; subject to decay, destruction, or death; as,
perishable goods; our
perishable bodies.
...Perishable (9 Occurrences).
...Imperishable (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Notperishable; not subject to decay; indestructible;
enduring permanently; as, an imperishable monument; imperishable renown....
Nature (80 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 15:53 For so it must be: thisperishable nature must clothe itself
with what is imperishable, and this mortality must clothe itself with...
Perish (186 Occurrences)
... They indeed do this for the sake of securing aperishable wreath, but we for the
sake of securing one that will not perish. (Root in WEY NAS RSV)....
Germ (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 1:23 For you have been begotten again by God's ever-living and enduring
word from a germ not ofperishable, but of imperishable life. (WEY)....
Worshipping (49 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Romans 1:23 and, instead of worshipping the imperishable God, they worshipped
images resemblingperishable man or resembling birds or beasts or reptiles....
Worshipped (81 Occurrences)
... Romans 1:23 and, instead of worshipping the imperishable God, they worshipped images
resemblingperishable man or resembling birds or beasts or reptiles. (WEY)....
Wreath (21 Occurrences)
... They indeed do this for the sake of securing aperishable wreath, but we for
the sake of securing one that will not perish. (WEY NAS RSV)....
Frivolous (4 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 1:18 knowing, as you do, that it was not with a ransom ofperishable wealth,
such as silver or gold, that you were set free from your frivolous habits...
Referred (7 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 2:14 Since then the children referred to are all alike sharers inperishable
human nature, He Himself also, in the same way, took on Him a share of it...
Resources
How will our resurrection body be different from our current body? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is our inheritance in Christ? | GotQuestions.orgCan a Christian lose salvation? | GotQuestions.orgPerishable: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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