Body in humility
A stimulating 2002 article from JSNT by Peter Doble argues that Philippians 3:21 is not talking about “vile bodies” that are going to be transformed, but about “our body, now discipline to humility” that will be conformed to the exalted, glorious body of the Lord and Savior awaited from heaven.
This might make even better sense if soma is taken in a corporate sense. The body that is currently humbled is not mainly the individual bodies of the Philippians Christians, but the beleaguered church, which will be rescued at the parousia of the Lord Jesus from heaven.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
In Medias Res
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