Apologetics -- History -- Early church, ca. 30-600; Celsus (Platonic philosopher), active 180; Theology -- History -- Early Church, ca. 30-600
and is, separated from it, we consequently name it mortal, and according
to another sense also we speak of it as corruptible. The holy apostle
therefore, with remarkable insight, referring to the general first cause
of bodily matter, of which [matter], whatever be the qualities with
which it is endowed (now indeed carnal, but by and by more refined and
pure, which are termed spiritual), the soul makes constant use, says,
“This corruptible must put on incorruption.” And in the second place,
looking to the special cause of the body, he says, “This mortal must put
on immortality.” Now, what else will incorruption and immortality be,
save the wisdom, and the word, and the righteousness of God, which
mould, and clothe, and adorn the soul? And hence it happens that it is
said, “The corruptible will put on incorruption, and the mortal
immortality.” For although we may now make great proficiency, yet as we
only know in part, and prophesy in part, and see through a glass,
darkly, those very things which we seem to understand, this corruptible
does not yet put on incorruption, nor is this mortal yet clothed with
immortality; and as this training of ours in the body is protracted
doubtless to a longer period, up to the time, viz., when those very
bodies of ours with which we are enveloped may, on account of the word
of God, and His wisdom and perfect righteousness, earn incorruptibility
and immortality, therefore is it said, “This corruptible must put on
incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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