Gr. krisis, “judgment.” The contrast of this word with “life” indicates that it is to be understood here in the sense of “adverse judgment.” This is the same word translated “condemnation” in v. 24 and “judgment” in v. 22; all of which seems to indicate that the judgment referred to there as being committed to Christ is primarily the judgment of the wicked. See on ch. 9:39.

That is, a resurrection that is characterized by, or results in, eternal life; a resurrection, indeed, that is life itself in that it is effected by the life of Christ in which the believer shares. “Christ became one flesh with us, in order that we might become one spirit with Him. It is by virtue of this union that we are to come forth from the grave—not merely as a manifestation of the power of Christ, but because, through faith, His life has become ours” (DA 388).

It is not to be inferred from these words that salvation is earned by “doing good.” Good and evil deeds are like a reflection of a man’s spiritual condition. Trees may be judged good or bad on the basis of their fruit, and consequently worthy of cultivation or destruction, although the intrinsic goodness or badness of a tree does not reside in its fruit. Similarly, men may be classified in terms of their works, although their works are but the outward signs of their inner spiritual condition, which is the determining factor in their salvation.