For appears to draw a conclusion from what precedes, but in fact this verse is largely a restatement of what has already been said.

And: the two halves of the verse also largely repeat one another. For this reason Good News Bible omits the and that is present in the Greek before this mortal (see comments on verse 50). The phrases this perishable nature and this mortal nature may be expressed in many languages as “For this nature of ours that will decay must be changed into a nature that will live for ever.”

Put on: the metaphor of “putting on” or “wearing” clothes is continued from verse 49. Good News Bible removes this figurative language. Revised English Bible and Barclay have “clothed,” which is clearer. Phillips somewhat intensifies the metaphor by translating “wrapped in.”

This perishable nature means “what is subject to decay,” perhaps implying “what is decaying” (see verses 42, 50, and 54, where the same or related terms are used).

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 .