KJV: In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
YLT: in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, in the last trumpet, for it shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we -- we shall be changed:
Darby: in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
ASV: in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
This transformation will not be a gradual process but instantaneous. The Greek word translated "moment" or "flash" (atomos) refers to an indivisible fragment of time. The blinking of an eye takes only a fraction of a second. [source][source][source]
This trumpet blast will summon Christians home to heaven (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:16). It is the last trumpet that connects with our destiny, the one that signals the end of our present existence and the beginning of our future existence. [1][source]
"We need not suppose that St Paul believed that an actual trumpet would awaken and summon the dead. The language is symbolical in accordance with the apocalyptic ideas of the time. The point is that the resurrection of the dead and the transformation of the living will be simultaneous, as of two companies obeying the same signal." [2][source]
Some posttribulationists equate this trumpet with the seventh or last trumpet of Revelation 11:15-18. [3] This does not seem to me to be valid. Other trumpets will sound announcing various other events in the future (cf. Matthew 24:31; Revelation 8:2; Revelation 8:6; Revelation 8:13; Revelation 9:14; et al.). However, Christians, believers living in the church age, will not be on the earth then, and those trumpets will not affect us. This last trumpet is not the very last one that the Bible speaks of. [3] The fact that Paul included himself in the group living at the time of the Rapture shows that he expected that event to take place imminently (i.e, at any moment; cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:15; 1 Thessalonians 4:17). If he had believed the Tribulation precedes the Rapture, it would have been natural for him to mention that here. [5][source]
"Christ"s return is always imminent; we must never cease to watch for it. The first Christians thought it so near that they faced the possibility of Jesus" return in their lifetime. Paul thinks he too may perhaps be alive when it happens." [6][source]
"The simple fact is that Paul did not know when Christ would return. He was in the exact position in which we are. All that he knew, and all that we know, is that Christ may come at any time." [7][source]
Paul did not answer the interesting questions of who will blow or who will hear this trumpet probably because the trumpet appears to be a metaphor for God"s summons. Throughout Israel"s history God announced His working for the nation and He summoned His people to Himself with the blowing of literal trumpets ( Exodus 19:16; Exodus 19:19; Exodus 20:18; Leviticus 25:9; Numbers 10:2; Numbers 10:8-10; et al.). So He may use a literal trumpet for this purpose at the Rapture as well. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
1 Corinthians 15:42-58 - Victory Over Sin And Death
Life on the other side will be as real and as earnest as here. We shall not dissolve into thin mist or flit as bodiless ghosts. We shall each be provided with a body like that which our Lord had after, He arose from the dead. It will be a spiritual body, able to go and come at a wish or a thought; a body that will be perfectly adapted to its spiritual world environment. The last Adam, our Lord, will effect this for us. But we must in the meanwhile be content to make the best use of the discipline of mortality, keeping our body pure and sweet as the temple and vehicle of the Holy Spirit until we are born into the next stage of existence. Always the physical before the psychical and the psychical before the spiritual.
What triumph rings through those last four verses! As generations of Christians have stood around the mortal remains of their beloved, they have uttered these words of immortal hope. The trumpet's notes will call those who have died and the saints that are still alive on the earth, into one mighty host of transfigured and redeemed humanity. Oh, happy day! Then we shall be manifested, rewarded, and glorified with Christ. All mysteries solved, all questions answered! Till then let us abound always in the work of the Lord. [source]
Chapter Summary: 1 Corinthians 15
1By Christ's resurrection, 12he proves the necessity of our resurrection, 16against all such as deny the resurrection of the body 21The fruit, 35and the manner thereof; 51and of the resurrection of those who shall be found alive at the last day
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 15:52
In a moment [εν ατομωι] Old word, from α a privative and τεμνω temnō to cut, indivisible: Scientific word for atom which was considered indivisible, but that was before the day of electrons and protons. Only here in N.T. [source]
In the twinkling of an eye [εν ριπηι οπταλμου] Old word ριπη ripē from ριπτω riptō to throw. Only here in N.T. Used by the Greeks for the flapping of a wing, the buzz of a gnat, the quivering of a harp, the twinkling of a star. At the last trump (εν τηι εσχατηι σαλπιγγι en tēi eschatēi salpiggi). Symbolical, of course. See 1 Thessalonians 4:16; note on Matthew 24:31. [source]
Moment [ἀτόμῳ] Only here in the New Testament. Atomos from ἀ notand τέμνω tocut, whence our atom. An undivided point of time. The same idea of indivisibility appears in ἀκαρής (not in the New Testament), from ἀ notand κείρω toshear; primarily of hair too short to be cut, and often used in classical Greek of time, as in the phrase ἐν ἀκαρεῖ χρονοῦ ina moment of time. [source]
Twinkling [ῥιπῇ] Only here in the New Testament. Originally the swing or force with which a thing is thrown; a stroke or beat. Used in the classics of the rush of a storm, the flapping of wings; the buzz of a gnat; the quivering of a harpstring; the twinkling of the stars. Generally of any rapid movement, as of the feet in running, or the quick darting of a fish. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 15:52
1 Thessalonians 4:16With the voice of the archangel [εν πωνηι αρχαγγελου] Further explanation of κελευσματι keleusmati (command). The only archangel mentioned in N.T. is Michael in Judges 1:9. But note absence of article with both πωνηι phōnēi and αρχαγγελου archaggelou The reference may be thus indefinite. With the trump of God (εν σαλπιγγι τεου en salpiggi theou). Trumpet. See same figure in 1 Corinthians 15:52. The dead in Christ shall rise first First here refers plainly to the fact that, so far from the dead in Christ having no share in the Parousia, they will rise before those still alive are changed. [source]
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 15:52
Old word, from α a privative and τεμνω temnō to cut, indivisible: Scientific word for atom which was considered indivisible, but that was before the day of electrons and protons. Only here in N.T. [source]
Old word ριπη ripē from ριπτω riptō to throw. Only here in N.T. Used by the Greeks for the flapping of a wing, the buzz of a gnat, the quivering of a harp, the twinkling of a star. At the last trump (εν τηι εσχατηι σαλπιγγι en tēi eschatēi salpiggi). Symbolical, of course. See 1 Thessalonians 4:16; note on Matthew 24:31. [source]
Symbolical, of course. See 1 Thessalonians 4:16; note on Matthew 24:31. [source]
Only here in the New Testament. Atomos from ἀ notand τέμνω tocut, whence our atom. An undivided point of time. The same idea of indivisibility appears in ἀκαρής (not in the New Testament), from ἀ notand κείρω toshear; primarily of hair too short to be cut, and often used in classical Greek of time, as in the phrase ἐν ἀκαρεῖ χρονοῦ ina moment of time. [source]
Only here in the New Testament. Originally the swing or force with which a thing is thrown; a stroke or beat. Used in the classics of the rush of a storm, the flapping of wings; the buzz of a gnat; the quivering of a harpstring; the twinkling of the stars. Generally of any rapid movement, as of the feet in running, or the quick darting of a fish. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 15:52
For the trumpet heralding great manifestations of God, see Exodus 19:13, Exodus 19:16; Psalm 47:5; Isaiah 27:13; Zechariah 9:14; Zephaniah 1:16; Joel 2:1; Matthew 24:31; 1 Corinthians 15:52; Revelation 1:10; Revelation 4:1. Of God does not indicate the size or loudness of the trumpet, but merely that it is used in God's service. Comp. harps of God, Revelation 15:2; musical instruments of God, 1 Chronicles 16:42. The later Jews believed that God would use a trumpet to raise the dead. [source]
Further explanation of κελευσματι keleusmati (command). The only archangel mentioned in N.T. is Michael in Judges 1:9. But note absence of article with both πωνηι phōnēi and αρχαγγελου archaggelou The reference may be thus indefinite. With the trump of God (εν σαλπιγγι τεου en salpiggi theou). Trumpet. See same figure in 1 Corinthians 15:52. The dead in Christ shall rise first First here refers plainly to the fact that, so far from the dead in Christ having no share in the Parousia, they will rise before those still alive are changed. [source]
Trumpet. See same figure in 1 Corinthians 15:52. [source]
We see trumpets assigned to angels in Matthew 24:31; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 15:52; Revelation 4:1, Revelation 4:4. See also the use of trumpets in Joshua 6:13; Joel 2:1. These seven trumpets are soon to break the half hour of silence. Thus the seven trumpets grow out of the opening of the seventh seal, however that fact is to be interpreted. [source]