35. But we must not forget what follows the
subjection, namely, Last of all is death conquered by
Him Cf. 1 Cor. xv. 26.. This
victory over death is nothing else than the resurrection from the
dead: for when the corruption of death is stayed, the quickened
and now heavenly nature is made eternal, as it is written, For this
corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on
immortality. But when this mortal shall have put on immortality,
then shall come to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed
up in strife. O death, where is thy sting? O death, where
is thy strife Ib.
53–55. The
reading ‘strife’ instead of ‘victory’ arose
from the confusion of νεῖκος (=strife) and
νῖκος (=victory) in
the original Greek.?
In the subjection of His enemies death is conquered; and, death
conquered, life immortal follows. The Apostle tells us also of
the special reward attained by this subjection which is made perfect by
the subjection of belief: Who shall fashion anew the body of
our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of His glory,
according to the works of His power, whereby He is able to subject all
things to Himself Phil. iii. 21.. There
is then another subjection, which consists in a transition from one
nature to another, for our nature ceases, so far as its present
character is concerned, and is subjected to Him, into Whose form it
passes. But by ‘ceasing’ is implied not an end of
being, but a promotion into something higher. Thus our nature by
being merged into the image of the other nature which it receives,
becomes subjected through the imposition of a new form.