after are to be of the same kind as those which we have here. This is not so. They are to be Hke the body of Christ. As we have borne the image of Adam as to his body, we shall bear the image of Christ as to his body. The idea that as we have derived a corrupt nature from Adam, we derive a holy nature from Christ, though true in itself, is altogether foreign to the connection.
50. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God ; neither doth cor- ruption inherit incorruption.
This I say. These words admit of three interpretations. 1. They maybe understood concessively. 'This I concede, brethren. I admit that flesh and blood, our bodies as now organized, cannot inherit the kingdom of God. But that is not what I teach when I preach the doctrine of the resurrec- tion. Our bodies are to be changed.' 2. The sense may be, ' This is what I say, the sum of what I have said is that flesh and blood,' &c. 3. The words may mean, 'This I assert, brethren. I assure you of this fact, that flesh and blood,' &c. In 7, 29 the expression is used in this sense. Comp. also Rom.
3, 8 and 1 Cor. 10, 19.
Flesh and blood means our body as now constituted, not sinful human nature. The phrase never has this latter sense. In Heb. 2, 14, it is said, "Inasmuch as the children are par- takers of flesh and blood, he (Christ) also himself likewise took part of the same," Matt. 16, 17. Gal. 1, 16. Eph. 6, 12. It is indeed true, that our unsanctified nature, or unrenewed man, cannot inherit the kingdom of God. But that is not what the apostle is speaking about. He is speaking of the body and of its state after the resurrection. It is of the body as now con- stituted that he says, it cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven., i. e. the kingdom of Christ as it is to exist after the resurrec- tion, Matt, 8, 11. Luke 13, 28. 1 Cor. 6, 9. Gal. 5, 21. 2 Tim.
4, 18. The same idea is repeated in abstract terms and as a general proposition in the next clause, neither can corruption inherit incorruption. The mortal cannot be immortal ; the perishable imperishable. Incorruption cannot be an attri- bute of corruption. Our bodies, therefore, if they are to be immortal and imperishable must be changed. And this the apostle in the next verse amiounces on the authority of a direct revelation, is actually to occur.