In the Greek text this verse is linked by “and” to verse 48. Paul immediately applies his last statement to Christians, doubtless including himself and his readers. At the same time, he makes it clear that “those who are of the dust” and “those who are of heaven” are not two completely separate categories of people, fixed for all time.

In the second half of the verse, “let us” is in many Greek manuscripts (see Revised Standard Version and Good News Bible footnotes), but the context calls for a statement rather than for an appeal. The appeal is left until verse 58. The Greek verbs translated we have borne and “let us also bear” (Revised Standard Version footnote) were pronounced in the same way, so mistakes in dictation are to be expected. The UBS Greek text has “we shall bear.”

Good News Bible‘s translation “wear” is supported by the words “put on” in verse 53. Paul is clearly thinking of a “likeness” (Good News Bible) or image that is an integral part of the person “bearing” or “wearing” it. Jerusalem Bible changes and thereby strengthens the metaphor: “we, who have been modelled on the earthly man, will be modelled on the heavenly man”; New Jerusalem Bible reverts to “likeness.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch removes the figurative language altogether: “Now we are like the man who was made of earth. Later we will be like the one who has come from heaven” (similarly Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente).

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .