Philippians 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like to his glorious body… I. THE BODY AS IT IS. 1. In regard to its dignity. (1) For this we must go back to its creation. (a) It is represented as a mass of unorganized matter. (b) Then it became an organized body. (c) After that breath is infused into it and it became an animated substance. The latter element imparts to the human system surpassing worth. (2) Dignity is imparted to the body in the process of redemption. (a) It has become a sanctified thing through the incarnation. Christ could touch nothing that He did not ennoble. (b) It has a dignity arising from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. (c) There are direct intimations that the body stands in a certain relation to mediatorial designs and purposes, and that Christ requires it for the advancement of His kingdom.Glorify God in your body; "Present your bodies a living sacrifice; The body is for the Lord, and the Lord for the body." For most of its operations the mind requires the assistance of the body, and anatomists say that the very structure of our frames is such as presupposes their being used for the carrying out of mental objects and inventions. But the body was intended of God to be the handmaid in higher departments, to be the servant of the renewed will, and the will of the true disciple moves only in obedience to the will of his Master. So Christ speaks through His servant's mouth, works through his hands, controls his eye and ear lest they run after vanity, lifts up the feet on their mission of mercy and love. (3) All this shows why the apostle insists not only that we should have "our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience," but also that we should have "our bodies washed with pure water," for in baptism the, body is made a consecrated thing. 2. In regard to its humiliation. It is humbled — (1) On account of our moral degeneracy and the curse entailed thereby. Every pain, disease, mark of old age, grave, remind us of this. (2) Because it is the seat of sin. Hence the expression "body of this death," and the necessity of keeping the body under. (3) In consequence of the labour and pain required to provide for its wants. (4) In that it is a hindrance to the soul's powers. II. THE BODY AS IT IS TO BE. The apostle uses the word "transfigure," perhaps, with a designed reference to the glorious splendours of the Mount of Transfiguration. III. PRACTICAL RESULTS. 1. The essential, inalienable sanctity of the body as a member of Christ and a temple of His spirit. 2. The folly and sin of undue carefulness in regard to bodily necessities. 3. The needlessness of the fear of death. (D. Moore, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. |
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