Using version 0.8.2, the -erode and -dilate operations give the same results. The 'verbose' output also indicates dilation is applied in both cases:
c3d -verbose single_subj_T1_mask.nii.gz -dilate 128 2x2x2mm -o single_subj_T1_mask_c3d.nii.gz
Reading #1 from single_subj_T1_mask.nii.gz
Applying dilation to #1
Foreground value : 128
Ball radius : [2, 2, 2]
Writing #1 to file single_subj_T1_mask_c3d.nii.gz
Output voxel type: float[f]
Rounding off: Disabled
c3d -verbose single_subj_T1_mask.nii.gz -erode 128 2x2x2mm -o single_subj_T1_mask_c3d.nii.gz
Reading #1 from single_subj_T1_mask.nii.gz
Applying dilation to #1
Foreground value : 128
Ball radius : [2, 2, 2]
Writing #1 to file single_subj_T1_mask_c3d.nii.gz
Output voxel type: float[f]
Rounding off: Disabled