“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.”
Who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself — the final transformation is Christological: he transforms (metaschēmatizō, reconfigure) our lowly bodies (tapeinōsis) into his glorious form (doxa). This is resurrection theology: bodily resurrection, not spiritual escape. 'By the power that enables him to subject all things' echoes Psalm 8: Christ's cosmic rule includes our bodily transformation. The statement is audacious: Christ's power over creation extends to resurrection of believers. Matter itself is redeemed.
Church Fathers on Philippians 3:21
Nothing is so incongruous in a Christian, and foreign to his character, as to seek ease and rest; and to be engrossed with the present life is foreign to our profession and enlistment. Your Master was crucified, and do you seek ease? Your Master was pierced with nails, and do you live delicately? Do these things become a noble soldier? Wherefore Paul says, “Many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.”…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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