Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

1 Corinthians 15:49

φορέσωμεν אACDEFG Vetus Lat. Vulg. φορέσομεν B.

49. τὴν εἰκόνα. The image or likeness. In this present life we are like Adam: in the next we shall be like Christ, cf. Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:21; Colossians 3:10; 1 John 3:2.

φορέσωμεν. We might have been disposed to suspect that here, as in many other places, the doctrinal statement of the Apostle has been fastened upon by divines, and made use of for hortatory purposes, and that the hortatory reading has crept into the text. But it is impossible to evade the almost unanimous testimony of the MSS. and VSS. here (see Critical Note), backed as they are by the express authority of so early a writer as Tertullian, who twice (Adv. Marc. 1 Corinthians 15:10, and De Res. Carnis c. 49) declares that the verb is imperative, and in the first passage also remarks that it is not indicative. Therefore we must explain that St Paul warns the Corinthians to become heavenly minded in this life so that they may not fail of being conformed to the Divine image at last. Theodoret, however, states, equally expressly, that in his Syrian text the verb is here in the indicative.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

1 Corinthians 15:49

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