1 Corinthians 15:51

Behold, I shew you a mystery See note on ch. 1 Corinthians 2:7; 1 Corinthians 4:1. Human reason unaided is of course incapable of arriving at the truth on a point like this.

We shall not all sleep There are two other very important readings of this passage. The first, that of the Vulgate and of Tertullian, is omnes quidem resurgemus, sed non omnes immutabimur(alle we schulen rise aghen, but not alle we schullen be chaungid. Wiclif). The other is, we shall all sleep, but we shall not all be changed, which is found in some important MSS. and versions. There seems little reason to doubt that the reading of our version is the true one. The others have probably arisen from the fact that St Paul and his contemporaries didsleep. But he was obviously under the impression (see 1 Thessalonians 4:17) an impression in no way surprising, even in an inspired Apostle, when we remember St Mark 13:33 that the coming of Christ would take place during his life-time, or that of some at least of those whom he addressed. Estius gives sixreasons against the received reading of the Vulgate, of which two appear by themselves to be conclusive. First, that the reading -we shall notall be changed," is not suited to the words -in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye" which follow; and next, that this reading is in direct contradiction to the words -we shall be changed" in the next verse.

but we shall all be changed "For we who have gone to rest in faith towards Christ, and have received the earnest of the Spirit in the time of our corporeal life, shall receive the most perfect favour and shall be changed into the glory which is of God." Cyril of Alexandria (on St John 10:10). The Apostle explains that this change shall also take place in those who -are alive and remain" until the coming of the Lord. See Philippians 3:21.