The Nature of Resurrection and Death

You have believed that the sins of him who forgives are pardoned, even if he has not been raised. But if Christ is raised, just as he indeed is raised, it is evident that the sins are also pardoned, and the resurrection of the dead shall be.

For this reason, we are to be pitied, because we do not inherit the good things of this life. For if we despise the good things of the present life and voluntarily humble ourselves in poverty, temperance, and other things, hoping for other things, how are we not to be pitied, since we inherit the opposites of those things we hope to inherit? He only added to show that piety is a good of the present life. For in this life we serve with piety, and in that life we enjoy the rewards.

Paul asks what kind of death they say the Savior endured, or what kind of resurrection. If either seems so, it is merely an opinion of Christians; but if death is true, then his resurrection is also true. Let them say what kind of death or what kind of resurrection. Is it death by taking on flesh? Surely the Lord had flesh; and if he had flesh, he also died. And if he died, Christ has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep having been raised; therefore our own bodies are also raised.

But what kind of death shall I consider? Is it to die to sins? But he himself says: the ruler of this world comes, and in me he has nothing. Even if he died as a sinner and the death of sin, because he took away the sin of the world, by this word he has not risen until today; for he is always a sinner in taking away the sin of the world. But what kind of resurrection does Paul say of the Lord? Is it a deliverance from the flesh? Surely he had flesh. But a deliverance from sins? The same word will be said as before; and if Christ is the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep, it is a necessity that whatever resurrection we give to ourselves, we must also give to the Savior.

What kind of resurrection, then, do we receive? Is it a deliverance from the flesh? Surely the Lord also had flesh. But a deliverance from sins? Surely the Lord also had flesh from which he was delivered. Thus, from every direction, there is the following of the apostolic utterances and power. If the resurrection is of the soul, and its resurrection is understood as a deliverance of the flesh or of sins, how would those who have fallen asleep in Christ be lost, if they were righteous? For if they are in Christ, they are not sinners; and if it is a deliverance from the flesh, the soul is immortal and would not be lost. Do you see that concerning our flesh he says, that which sleeps in Christ, when we die: 'It is good for the one departing'?

Let those who receive these words say through which man death comes, or what kind of death. Is it through Adam? But the soul sinned, while the body was condemned. Furthermore: just as in Adam all die, and so on. He speaks according to the decision regarding the matter; not all are said to have died, for Enoch and Elijah live, and some are found living upon the earth.