Earthly things are those that pertain to things on the physical earth. The concept comes from a preposition meaning upon (ἐπί), connected to the word that describes the sphere (γῆ) we abide on, not just the ground.
When Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus concerning the new birth from above that is required for a person to enter the kingdom of God, Nicodemus marvels at Christ’s words (John 3:3). One must be born of water even spirit to enter God’s kingdom (John 3:5). Nicodemus’ only response to this statement was to question how a man could be born again (John 3:4). As the teacher of Israel, he should have understood Jesus’ words (John 3:9). Since Nicodemus did not believe the earthly things Jesus testified to him, why would he believe heavenly things (John 3:12).
There are heavenly bodies, and there are earthly bodies; all flesh is not the same (1 Corinthians 15:39–40). In the resurrection, there will be Old Testament saints who shine as the sun, moon, and stars (1 Corinthians 15:41–42). Our bodies are sown in corruption because of Adam’s sin, but raised in incorruption because of Christ’s obedience (1 Corinthians 15:43). Thus, in the resurrection, our bodies will no longer relate to the soul, but to the spirit; no longer to earthly things, but heavenly things (1 Corinthians 15:44).
We have an earthly tent, which is our body. It relates to earthly things. However, we know that when our earthly body is destroyed, we have a heavenly home not made with hands, eternal in the heavens (2 Corinthians 5:1). We groan in our earthly body to be clothed with our heavenly one, for we will not be found naked (2 Corinthians 5:2–3). Since God has prepared this for us, and has given us the Spirit as a guarantee, we are to walk through faith, not through sight, always being confident in the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:5–8).
Those who walk as enemies of the cross mind earthly things (Philippians 3:19). Their god is their belly and the glory is their shame. They take the earthly things and impose them on heaven, claiming we have mansions in the sky (John 14:2). They turn the grace of God into licentiousness and godliness into gain (Jude 4; 1 Timothy 6:5).
Note: In John 14:2, Jesus states there are many dwelling places in His Father’s house. The word “Mansion” in the KJV does not refer to a large house filled with all the earthly desires a person can have. IT is derived from the Latin word “mansio,” meaning “to remain, or dwell”. The KJV did not mistranslate the word; our modern English re-interprets the word to mean something completely different than the original meaning.
There is wisdom from above, which is peaceable and yields righteousness; then there is an earthly wisdom. The earthly wisdom is out from zeal and self-seeking. It focuses on feelings and is demonic in nature (James 3:15). Where this type of wisdom is present, confusion and every fallow thing is found (James 3:16). In contrast, the wisdom from above is pure, peaceable, gentle, and produces righteousness (James 3:17–18).
