press teaching in 2 Thess. 2, 2-12 on the subject, it is far more natural to understand him as contemplating the vast company of believers as a whole, and saying ' Those of us who are dead shall rise, and all who are alive shall be changed.'
53. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal (must) put on immortality.
This is the reason why we must be changed. * We must all be changed, for this corruptible must put on incorruption.' It is impossible that corruption should inherit incorruption. This reason applies equally to the quick and to the dead. With regard to both classes it is true that these vile bodies must be fashioned Uke unto Christ's glorious body.
54. So when this corruptible shall have put on in- corruption, and this mortal shall have put on iminor- tahty, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
When the change above described has been accomplished, when once the resurrection has taken place, then, according to the language of Scripture, death shall be completely con- quered. Not only shall those over whom he had triumphed, and whom he had so long detained in the prison of the grave, be dehvered from his power, but there shall be no more death. The passage quoted is Isaiah 25, 8, " He will swaUow up death in victory." In Hebrew the last words mean literally for ever. They are, however, frequently translated by the LXX. as they are here rendered by the apostle. The sense is the same. The victory over death is to be complete and final.
55. O death, where (is) thy sting? O grave, where (is) thy victory ?
The apostle places himself and his readers in presence of the Saviour and of the risen dead arrayed in immortahty; and in view of that majestic scene he breaks out in these words of triumph : ' Christ has conquered. His people are redeemed. Death is disarmed. Hades is no more.' Death is addressed under the figure of an animal armed with a poison- ous sting which pierces even to the soul ; for that sting is sin. Ths grave, or the Greek word Hades, means, what is un-