Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin (continued)
John Calvin must be given to dry bones and dust that, resuming their former appearance and reunited to the spirit, they come forth straightway as living men into the presence of Christ.
The dead shall rise What he had declared generally as to all, he now explains particularly as to the living and the dead. This distinction, therefore, is simply an exposition of the foregoing statement — that all will not die, but all will be changed "Those who have already died," says he, "will* rise again incorruptible." See what a change there will be upon the dead!* "Those," says he, "who will be still alive will themselves also be changed." You see then as to both. 1028 You now then perceive how it is, that change will be common to all, but not sleep. 1029
When he says, We shall be changed, he includes himself in the number of those, who are to live till the advent of Christ. As it was now the last times, (1 John 2:18,) that day (2 Timothy 1:18) was to be looked for by the saints every hour. At the same time, in writing to the Thessalonians, he utters that memorable prediction respecting the scattering 1030 that would take place in the Church before Christ's coming. (2 Thessalonians 2:3.) This, however, does not hinder that he might, by bringing the Corinthians, as it were, into immediate contact with the event, associate himself and them with those who would at that time be alive.
53. For this corruptible must Mark, how we shall live in the kingdom of God both in body and in soul, while at the same time flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God — for they shall previously be delivered from corruption. Our nature then, as being now corruptible and mortal, is not admissible into the kingdom of God, but when it shall have put off corruption, and shall have been beautified with in-corruption, it will then make its way into it. This passage, too, distinctly proves, that we shall rise again in that same flesh that we now carry about with us, as the Apostle assigns a new quality to it which will serve as a garment. If he had said, This corruptible must be renewed, the error of those fanatics, who imagine that mankind will be furnished with new bodies, would not have been so plainly or forcibly overthrown. Now, however, when he declares that this corruptible shall be invested with glory, there is no room left for cavil.
54. Then shall be brought to pass the saying This is not merely an amplification, ({ἐπεξεργασία},) 1031 but a confirmation, too, of the preceding statement. For what was foretold by the Prophets must be fulfilled. Now this prediction will not be fulfilled, until our bodies, laying aside corruption, will put on incorruption Hence this last result, also, is necessary. To come to pass, is used here in the sense of being fully accomplished, for what Paul quotes is
Aspasio, volume 2 page 66. — Ed.
1028"Voyla donc ques les viuans et les morts;" — "Mark then how it will be as to the living and the dead."
1029"Non pus le dormir, c'est a dire la mort;" — "Not sleep, that is to say, death." 1030"La dissipation horrible;" — "The dreadful scattering." 1031"Vne declaration ou amplification;" — "A declaration or amplification."