“My spirit shall not abide (LXX: katameine) in man for ever, for he is flesh.”
This is a temporary state of affairs, ending with the Incarnation. As John the Baptist testified, “I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained (emeinen) on him.” [John 1: 32] Thus, the true ‘Son of God’ who looked from afar with longing at the lives of men, came down not for physical marriage, but to be the Bridegroom of the Church in the Spirit. And since we have been made one flesh with Christ, the Spirit also remains in us. This is the bread which came down from heaven. He who eats this bread, and thus becomes one with Christ, will live forever.