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Glorification: The End of Salvation

In the New Testament some translations use the term flesh to refer
to the sinful nature, the carnal self. This use of “flesh” does not mean
that the physical body is evil. The New Testament speaks of the body
as part of people’s being. People have eyes, ears, hands, feet, and other
physical members, and they are not sinful. The normal bodily functions
themselves are not evil. It is only when these functions are perverted
that there is moral wrong. Thus, the body itself will share in the glory
since it is a vital part of who we are. Remember, we are a unity: body-
soul-spirit beings.

Second Corinthians 5:1–5 enlightens us concerning the change
our bodies will undergo. Paul said in this context that in our eternal
existence, we will be clothed with an eternal body so that we will not
be without a body. At the present time we groan: not to be rid of our
earthly body, but to have our heavenly body so that what is mortal may
be changed into that which is eternal. Paul noted here that God is the
One who has prepared us for this change, and He has given us the Holy
Spirit as the deposit, or guarantee, of all that He has in store for us.

In these verses Paul asserted that the body is an important part of
people’s wholeness—even in eternity. Although many ancient pagans
believed that the body was the prison of the soul, Paul viewed it as a
temple appropriately created to be the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit
(1 Corinthians 6:19).

Some people have been misled by the word translated vile in the King
James translation of Philippians 3:21: “who will change our vile body.”
However, newer versions such as the NIV translate this word more
properly: “our lowly bodies.” It is true that at the present time, because
of the influence of sin, our bodies are yet subject to the curse with its
pain, sickness, suffering, and death. But in glorification, the body will
be changed and made like Christ’s glorious body (Philippians 3:21;
1 John 3:2).

You might wonder when living Christians will reach their glorified
state. Paul assured Corinthian believers that this transformation will
take place at Christ’s coming (1 Corinthians 15:51–57). In this same
setting, he assures Corinthians that those who have died in Christ will
reach their glorified state when they are resurrected. The resurrection

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