Moreover, if resurrection is of the dead, and 'dead' applies only to a body, the resurrection will be of a body. To rise' may be said of that which never in any way fell, but which was always lying down. We say, therefore, that a body falls to the ground in death . . . The sun sinks down, but is reborn. The stars go out, but return again.
Flowers die, but come to life again.
We must await even the spring of the body. I am not ignorant of the fact that many, in the consciousness of what they deserve, would rather hope than actually believe that there is nothing for them after death. Therefore be instructed by this, you fool, that each and every one of the seeds is clothed in its own body. But everything grows in accord with its own nature. This body shall be raised, not remaining weak as it is now, but this same body shall be raised.