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 Context

1. 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 Implications

The 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.(a.) Liable to perish; subject to decay, destruction, or death; as, perishable goods; our perishable bodies.5349. phthartos -- perishable, corruptible
... perishable, corruptible. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: phthartos Phonetic
Spelling: (fthar-tos') Short Definition: corruptible, perishable ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5349.htm - 7k

5356. phthora -- destruction, corruption
... Word Origin from phtheiro Definition destruction, corruption NASB Word Usage corruption
(4), destruction (1), killed (1), perish (1), perishable (2). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5356.htm - 7k

5517. choikos -- earthy, made of dust
... heavenly". 1 Cor 15:50: "Now I say this, brethren, inherit the kingdom
of God; does the perishable inherit the imperishable" (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5517.htm - 7k

861. aphtharsia -- incorruptibility
... Cognate: 861 -- properly, no-corruption (unable to experience deterioration); (not
perishable), ie lacking the to decay or break down. See 862a (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/861.htm - 7k

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 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/622.htm - 10k

The Work of the Demiurge Perishable.
... Book VI. Chapter XLIX."The Work of the Demiurge Perishable. And in addition
to these (points, they lay down) that the Demiurge ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/chapter xlix the work of the.htm

Plato's Self-Contradiction.
... For having formerly stated that he said that everything which is produced is perishable,
he now introduces him saying the very opposite; and he does not see ...
/.../chapter xxiii platos self-contradiction.htm

Peace in Believing.
... My soul! is it thine? Sure I am it is not, if thou art seeking it in a perishable
world, or in the perishable creature, or in thy perishable self. ...
/.../macduff/the faithful promiser/19th day peace in believing.htm

Entering into the Infinite
... of temporal comforts and luxuries, the divinity within men is drugged, and they
sink deeper and deeper into materiality, into the perishable life of the senses ...
//christianbookshelf.org/allen/the way of peace/entering into the infinite.htm

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 are perishable ...
/.../kay/the apology of aristides the philosopher/the apology of aristides as.htm

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 and perishable things, he says ...
/.../xxiv sermon for the fifteenth.htm

Now Compare the Words of Origen, which I have Translated Word for ...
... Against this Origen rightly asserts that he is not of perishable substance,
but that it is by his own will that he fell and can be saved. ...
/.../19 now compare the words.htm

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 the perishable. ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/tent and building.htm

How Deceitful the Love of this World Is, and How Amiable God Is.
... Eternal Wisdom."Those who for My sake give up perishable affections, and receive
Me with sincere faith and love, and remain constant to the end, will I ...
/.../suso/a little book of eternal wisdom/chapter vi how deceitful the.htm

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 is perishable and mortal. Accordingly ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 4 he next skilfully.htm

Perishable (9 Occurrences)
... (a.) Liable to perish; subject to decay, destruction, or death; as, perishable
goods; our perishable bodies. ...Perishable (9 Occurrences). ...
/p/perishable.htm - 9k

Imperishable (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Not perishable; not subject to decay; indestructible;
enduring permanently; as, an imperishable monument; imperishable renown. ...
/i/imperishable.htm - 9k

Nature (80 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 15:53 For so it must be: this perishable nature must clothe itself
with what is imperishable, and this mortality must clothe itself with ...
/n/nature.htm - 35k

Perish (186 Occurrences)
... They indeed do this for the sake of securing a perishable wreath, but we for the
sake of securing one that will not perish. (Root in WEY NAS RSV). ...
/p/perish.htm - 38k

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 of perishable, but of imperishable life. (WEY). ...
/g/germ.htm - 7k

Worshipping (49 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Romans 1:23 and, instead of worshipping the imperishable God, they worshipped
images resembling perishable man or resembling birds or beasts or reptiles. ...
/w/worshipping.htm - 22k

Worshipped (81 Occurrences)
... Romans 1:23 and, instead of worshipping the imperishable God, they worshipped images
resembling perishable man or resembling birds or beasts or reptiles. (WEY). ...
/w/worshipped.htm - 32k

Wreath (21 Occurrences)
... They indeed do this for the sake of securing a perishable wreath, but we for
the sake of securing one that will not perish. (WEY NAS RSV). ...
/w/wreath.htm - 12k

Frivolous (4 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 1:18 knowing, as you do, that it was not with a ransom of perishable wealth,
such as silver or gold, that you were set free from your frivolous habits ...
/f/frivolous.htm - 7k

Referred (7 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 2:14 Since then the children referred to are all alike sharers in perishable
human nature, He Himself also, in the same way, took on Him a share of it ...
/r/referred.htm - 8k

How will our resurrection body be different from our current body? | GotQuestions.org

What is our inheritance in Christ? | GotQuestions.org

Can a Christian lose salvation? | GotQuestions.org

Perishable: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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