23 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.
of our body [singular].
“The redemption” of the believer’s body is the same as the glorification of the body when we will no longer have physical limitations (1 Co 15:42-54; 2 Co 5:1-5; Php 3:20-21; 1 Th 4:13-18).
Redemption of the believer’s body has to do with transformation from a mortal body to an immortal body (1 Co 15:42-44, 53-54). Our soul is presently completely saved; it is not in a process of salvation. However, the body is yet to be redeemed.
PRINCIPLE:
Christians await the manifestation of the glorification of their bodies, the redemption from the grave.
APPLICATION:
Christians wait for the final phase of their salvation, a material reality. Our bodies will be like the Lord Jesus’ physical body (Php 3:20, 21; 1 Jn 3:2). Our body will be like the resurrected body of Jesus. People could observe His body (Jn 20:20; 1 Co 15:5-7). People touched Him (Lu 24:39). The Lord had a meal with his disciples (Jn 21:12). All this shows that He had a human body after His resurrection (Lu 24:29).
There are differences between a resurrected and a non-resurrected body. The resurrection body is not bound by the same physical laws that govern our bodies now. Jesus passed through closed doors (Jn 20:19). Our bodies will be with Christ (2 Co 5:8) and there will be a departing to Him (Php 1:23).
1 Pe 1:3-5, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
For those who have died as Christians, presently their body is in the ground but their soul and spirit are in heaven. One day even our bodies will be resurrected and restored to their glorified state (1 Th 4:13,14,16). This will happen in a twinkling of the eye (1 Co 15:52-57). The words “spiritual body” in 1 Corinthians does not mean an intangible body without substance.
There will come a time when our body will be delivered from the grave. The grave will no longer hold it prisoner. This will be a great deliverance because it will be a perfect deliverance. Death will be swallowed up in victory. Believers will enter never-ending immortality and life with God. There is finality to this event. Jesus paid a complete price for the resurrection of our bodies. This is the day of the completion of our adoption when we will stand fully whole. This is the last act of Jesus as our Mediator.
One day our bodies will return to their original purpose. Although we can know something about “joy” in tribulation we know something far better is coming. At last our bodies will be delivered from the dark implications of the fall.
Within the redemption of the cosmos the believer’s body will be redeemed. Suffering of this present age is due to the fall of man. Redemption of creation and the believer’s body has to do with the correction of the fall. The glory of the future for the believer is stupendous.
All of this depends on the fact that Jesus rose from the dead and is waiting for us over there.
