Verse 4
For indeed we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened; not for that we would be unclothed, but that we would be clothed upon, that what is mortal may be swallowed up of life.
Being burdened ... This is by further explanation of what Paul meant by "groan." The physical body is an increasing burden with advancing years; and this is perhaps the saddest thing about life on earth. However powerful and glorious the physical body may be for a season, the burden grows heavier and heavier until at last the weary burden bearer stumbles into a grave. This thought was touched upon by Paul in this:
The Lord Jesus Christ; who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself (Philippians 3:21).
The body of our humiliation ... This is inspired comment upon the body which is a burden and in which Paul said "we groan." The body of any mortal, at last, is the body of his humiliation. Many years or even decades may pass with little evidence of the humiliation in view here; but inevitably the blow falls.
Illustration: This writer's father was a man of extraordinary strength, and at the age of 80 years still led singing for the village congregation. Then, one day when he was 90 years old, he took this son into a private room where they played a phonograph record, made many years earlier, when the father's voice was young and vigorous and beautiful. As we listened, both of us burst into tears; and Dad said "Ah son now we know what Paul meant by "the body of our humiliation."
Not that we would be unclothed ... This has the meaning, "Not that we want to die."
But that we would be clothed upon ... means, "Nevertheless, we still long to possess that eternal body."
That what is mortal may be swallowed up of life ... This has the same weight as 1 Corinthians 15:53,54, being an obvious reference to what is written there; and here also, in all probability, lies the explanation of the peculiar form "clothed upon."
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