“Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body” (Romans 8:23).
Like God with His three Persons, all human beings are triune—a perfect combination of body, soul, and spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
First century Greek philosophers in Paul’s day and 21st century preterists in our day view the human body as a divine mistake. In their view, the body is a besetting source of shame and disgrace which cannot be disposed of too soon. Their thinking is most succinctly stated as “In my flesh nothing good dwells.” Therefore, to them, the redemption of the human body is foolish talk.
In Athens when Paul spoke in the midst of the Areopagus about the resurrection of the dead, some mocked (Acts 17:32). These philosophers viewed the loss of one’s body as good riddance of bad rubbish. To resurrect the body was to resume an inferior existence.
God’s view is completely opposite. Every part of humanity is His creation and thus good. Therefore, human redemption from sin requires redemption of the spirit, soul, and body.
The work of Christ as our Redeemer is not complete until all the dead have been resurrected and our corruptible bodies have been raised in glory and power, because flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does corruption inherit incorruption (1 Corinthians 15:50).
Death has been swallowed up in victory when the redemption of the body has occurred. Then, and only then, is our victory in Jesus complete (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).
