Incorruptibility is a theological concept that refers to the state of being free from decay, moral corruption, or death. It is a term often associated with the eternal nature of God, the resurrected body of Jesus Christ, and the promised transformation of believers in the eschatological future. The concept is deeply rooted in Scripture and is a key element of Christian eschatology and soteriology.

Biblical Foundation

The notion of incorruptibility is primarily derived from the New Testament, where it is closely linked to the resurrection of the dead and the eternal life promised to believers. In 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, the Apostle Paul writes, "So also is the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body." . Here, Paul contrasts the perishable nature of the earthly body with the imperishable, or incorruptible, nature of the resurrected body.

Incorruptibility is also associated with the divine nature of God. In 1 Timothy 1:17, Paul praises God as "the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." . The term "immortal" here is synonymous with incorruptibility, emphasizing God's eternal and unchanging nature.

Theological Significance

Incorruptibility is significant in Christian theology as it underscores the hope of eternal life and the ultimate victory over sin and death. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of this hope, as it demonstrates the power of God to transform the corruptible into the incorruptible. Romans 6:9 states, "We know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him." . This victory over death is a promise extended to all who are in Christ.

The concept also has ethical implications for believers. In 1 Peter 1:23, Christians are described as being "born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God." . This new birth calls believers to live lives that reflect the incorruptible nature of their new identity in Christ, striving for holiness and moral purity.

Eschatological Hope

Incorruptibility is a central theme in the eschatological hope of Christians. The promise of a future resurrection, where believers will receive incorruptible bodies, is a source of comfort and motivation. In 1 Corinthians 15:53-54, Paul declares, "For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.'" . This transformation is the culmination of God's redemptive plan, where the effects of sin and death are fully and finally overcome.

Conclusion

Incorruptibility, as presented in the Bible, is a profound concept that encapsulates the eternal nature of God, the transformative power of the resurrection, and the future hope of believers. It calls Christians to live in light of their eternal destiny, embracing the moral and spiritual implications of their new life in Christ.(n.) The quality of being incorruptible; incapability of corruption.861. aphtharsia -- incorruptibility
... incorruptibility. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: aphtharsia Phonetic
Spelling: (af-thar-see'-ah) Short Definition: indestructibility ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/861.htm - 7k

90. adiaphthoria -- soundness, purity
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: adiaphthoria Phonetic Spelling:
(ad-ee-af-thor-ee'-ah) Short Definition: incorruptibility, soundness, integrity ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/90.htm - 6k

The Disciples of Pythagoras, Too, and of Plato, Although they ...
... Chapter XXI. The disciples of Pythagoras, too, and of Plato, although
they appear to hold the incorruptibility? The disciples ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxi the disciples of.htm

Jesus Christ was not a Mere Man, Begotten from Joseph in the ...
... For by no other means could we have attained to incorruptibility and immortality,
unless we had been united to incorruptibility and immortality. ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xix jesus christ was not.htm

Of the Simple and Unchangeable Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy ...
... The body, then, which is not in each of its parts a whole body, is one thing;
incorruptibility, which is throughout complete, is another thing;"for every ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 10 of the simple and.htm

On the Beginning of the World, and Its Causes.
... apostle had said, "This corruptible nature of the body must receive the clothing
of incorruption"a soul possessing in itself incorruptibility," because it ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter iii on the beginning of.htm

His Legs are as Pillars of Marble, Set Upon Sockets of Fine Gold ...
... here spoken of as the legs and feet that sustain it, is taken for the flesh of the
Savior, and is well represented by marble, by reason of its incorruptibility ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/15 his legs are as.htm

God Showed Himself, by the Fall of Man, as Patient, Benign ...
... glory in the Lord's presence;" [3687] and that man should never adopt an opposite
opinion with regard to God, supposing that the incorruptibility which belongs ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xx god showed himself by.htm

Whether Man was Created in Paradise?
... I answer that, Paradise was a fitting abode for man as regards the
incorruptibility of the primitive state. Now this incorruptibility ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether man was created in.htm

Whether in the State of Innocence Man Would have Been Immortal?
... as being by nature corruptible, yet it has an inherent disposition which preserves
it wholly from corruption; and this is called incorruptibility of glory ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether in the state of 2.htm

Whether the Bodies of the Damned Will be Incorruptible?
... Thus after the general resurrection the two aforesaid modes of incorruptibility
will be united together in the bodies of the blessed. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the bodies of the 3.htm

Whether Death and Other Defects are Natural to Man
... The first is that the form of man, which is his rational soul, is adapted in point
of incorruptibility to his end, which is eternal blessedness. ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article six whether death and.htm

Incorruptibility (7 Occurrences)
...Incorruptibility (7 Occurrences). Romans 2:7 to those who by patience in well-doing
seek for glory, honor, and incorruptibility, eternal life; (WEB DBY YLT). ...
/i/incorruptibility.htm - 8k

Incorruptible (8 Occurrences)

/i/incorruptible.htm - 9k

Well-doing (9 Occurrences)
... Well-doing (9 Occurrences). Romans 2:7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek
for glory, honor, and incorruptibility, eternal life; (WEB ASV WBS RSV). ...
/w/well-doing.htm - 8k

Integrity (46 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Titus 2:7 in all things showing yourself an example of good works; in your
teaching showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility, (WEB RSV NIV). ...
/i/integrity.htm - 22k

Inconvenient (1 Occurrence)

/i/inconvenient.htm - 7k

Respects (13 Occurrences)
... Titus 2:7 in all things showing yourself an example of good works; in your teaching
showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility, (See RSV). ...
/r/respects.htm - 10k

Dignified (4 Occurrences)
... Titus 2:7 in all things showing yourself an example of good works; in your teaching
showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility, (See NAS). ...
/d/dignified.htm - 7k

Model (9 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Titus 2:7 in all things showing yourself an example of good works; in your
teaching showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility, (See RSV). ...
/m/model.htm - 10k

Annulled (12 Occurrences)
... 1:10 but has been made manifest now by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who has annulled death, and brought to light life and incorruptibility by the ...
/a/annulled.htm - 10k

Showing (41 Occurrences)
... Titus 2:7 in all things showing yourself an example of good works; in your teaching
showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility, (WEB ASV WBS YLT). ...
/s/showing.htm - 19k

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