But that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
Read Chapter 15
Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
The spiritual body is understood as a body so subject to spirit that it may be suited to its celestial habitation, all earthly weakness and corruption and being changed and converted into celestial purity and stability.
First comes the clay that is only fit to be thrown away, with which we must begin but in which we need not remain. Afterward comes what is fit for us, that into which we can be gradually molded and in which, when molded, we may remain.
"But that is not first which is spiritual "says the apostle, speaking this as if with reference to us human beings; "but that is first which is animal, afterwards that which is spiritual"
And he says not, why, but is content with the ordinance of God, having the evidence from the facts testifying to that most excellent œconomy of God, and implying that our state is always going forward to the better; at the same time by this also adding credibility to his argument. For if the lesser have come to pass, much more ought we to expect the better.
7. Since then we are to enjoy so great blessings, let us take our station in this array, and bewail not the departed, but rather those that have ended their life ill. For so the husbandman, when he sees the grain dissolving, does not mourn; rather, as long as he beholds it continuing solid in the ground he is in fear and trembling, but when he sees it dissolved rejoices. For the beginning of the future crop is its dissolving. So let us also then rejoice when the corruptible house falls, when the man is sown. And marvel not if he called the burial a sowing; for, in truth, this is the better sowing: inasmuch as that sowing is succe...
In God’s plan, things keep getting better. This is why Paul says that the lesser things have already come to pass and that the better ones are on the way… . For the farmer, seeing the grain dissolving, does not mourn.
First of all there comes the (natural) soul, that is to say, the breath, to the people that are on the earth,-in other words, to those who act carnally in the flesh; then afterwards comes the Spirit to those who walk thereon,-that is, who subdue the works of the flesh; because the apostle also says, that "that is not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural, (or in possession of the natural soul, ) and afterward that which is spiritual.".
In short, since it is not the soul, but the flesh which is "sown in corruption "when it turns to decay in the ground, it follows that (after such dissolution) the soul is no longer the natural body, but the flesh, which was the natural body, (is the subject of the future change), forasmuch as of a natural body it is made a spiritual body, as he says further down, "That was not first which is spiritual.".
Accordingly the apostle goes on to say: "Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural, and afterward that whic...
