the design of redemption, but what is to happen when the re- demption of God's people is accomplished. Then the Messi- anic reign is to cease, and God is to rule supreme over a uni- verse reduced to order, the people of God being saved, and the finally impenitent shut up with Satan and his angels in the prison of despair. Thirdly, the interpretation which makes this passage teach the restoration of all intelligent creatures to hohness, is contrary to the express declarations of Scrip- tures and to the faith of the church universal. This the most accomplished of its advocates virtually admit. See for exam- ple Olshausen's commentary on this epistle. If the evidence in support of the doctrine of the everlasting perdition of the wicked were not overwhelming, it never could have become a part of the faith of the universal church. And that doctrine being once established on its own grounds, doubtful passages must be interpreted in accordance with it.
There is another orthodox interpretation of this passage. It is assumed to treat of the final result of the work of re- demption. God will reign supreme in all. But the all is re- stricted to the subjects of redemption. The whole chapter treats of those who are in Christ. It is of their resurrection, and of the efiect of redemption in their case, the apostle is as- sumed to speak. ' All who are in Christ shall be made alive, V. 22, and God shall reign in them all.* The sense is good, but this interpretation overlooks what intervenes between vs. 22 and 28 concerning the kingdom of Christ and its being given up.
29. Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all ? why are they then baptized for the dead ?
The apostle, after the preceding digression, returns to his argument for the resurrection. ' The dead are certainly to be raised, otherwise (cttci) what shall they do who are baptized for the dead ? ' This practice (whatever it was) of baptizing for the dead, takes for granted that the dead are to rise. What shall they do^ i. e. What account will they give of them- selves ? what explanation of their conduct can they make ? The most important of the numerous interpretations of this verse admit of being reduced to the following classes : 1. Those which turn on the sense given to the word baptize. 2. Those which depend on the explanation of the preposition wep, for.