Disposable or Transforming Body?: 1 Cor 15:35-57 in the Context of Gladitorial Games in Ancient Corinth

Paul's use of gladiatorial imagery in his letters has been well noted in previous scholarship. However, one area that requires further analysis with respect to the Roman gladiatorial games is Paul's discussion of resurrected bodies in 1 Cor 15:35-57. This chapter focuses on the terms and images of gladiatorial games alluded to in Cor 15:35-57 to show that Paul, while utilizing the elements of gladiatorial games, subverts the Roman ideology that consumes human bodies to procure the perpetual glory of the Empire. The bodies of gladiators in the Corinthian arena aptly represented the Roman political power that exploited and disposed of human bodies, their "flesh and blood" (v. 50), shaping the Corinthian perspective of the body as something disposable and impermanent. While Paul affirms the perishability of mortal bodies, through his affirmation of God's creative power in vv. 37-49, he turns the arena into a place of recreation and transformation of bodies. Paul also presents Corinthian members to live as gladiators in the arena, whose bodies should not be consumed but trained, labored, and caused to remain steadfast and immovable (v. 58) as they wait for the victorious moment when their bodies will be clothed with honor and imperishability.