Chapter XX.
Therefore, heretics who deny the resurrection of the flesh often oppose the testimony of the blessed Apostle, in which he says: 'Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God' (1 Corinthians 15:50), conveniently ignoring what follows. For after saying 'Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God,' he continues and says: 'Nor does corruption inherit incorruption' (ibid). These words were spoken not to suggest that the nature of our holy bodies will perish, but to indicate that corruption will put on incorruption, as the same Apostle confirms, saying: 'So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable: what is sown in dishonor, what is raised in glory: what is sown in weakness, what is raised in power: what is sown a natural body, what is raised a spiritual body' (ibid, 42 et seq). For these four orders of resurrection, which were prefigured by that priestly rod which blossomed in the tabernacle of the Lord, were thus to be understood (Num. 17:8; Lev. 26:19) . Therefore, it is to be understood in this way: Flesh and blood shall not possess the kingdom of God, just as God threatens the sinful people, saying: I will set a brazen sky over you, and an iron earth which you tread upon: not that the nature of the elements is changed, but that the greatness of punishments is shown through bronze and iron. Therefore, the Lord Christ has shown us the true future resurrection in himself, who, after his resurrection on the third day, demonstrated to the doubting disciples the marks of the nails and the wound from the spear (Luke 24:40).