1 Corinthians 15:55: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”
1 Corinthians 15:56: “The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.”
1 Corinthians 15:57: “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
We recall those profound words that Paul wrote. This passage about the resurrection has been a source of encouragement for believers in Christ through the centuries.
Paul wrote letters to the church at Corinth, correcting doubters and deniers on topics related to life and doctrine. In chapter 15, Paul reaffirmed that Jesus Christ is the foundation of the believer’s faith as well as their resurrection and glorification. This “Resurrection Chapter” was written in two parts, verses 1-11 on the resurrection of Jesus Christ and verses 12-58 on the resurrection of the dead and transformation of living believers.
Here, Paul affirms Christ’s death and resurrection as prophesied in the scriptures:
1 Corinthians 15:3: “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;”
1 Corinthians 15:4: “And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
Paul goes on to write about Christ’s post-resurrection appearances, an early record of eyewitness accounts. And we have reassurance that we will also be resurrected as Jesus was:
1 Corinthians 15:20: “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.”
1 Corinthians 15:21: “For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.”
1 Corinthians 15:22: “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”
Two thousand years after 1 Corinthians 15 was written, Paul’s words still stir in the hearts of Christians. We know that everlasting life awaits us. It is our expectation through Christ in whom we believe, and that is why the fear of death has no sting. Jesus conquered death and so will believers in Him. But, before we enjoy life everlasting, it is our duty to share the Gospel with non-believers so that they too can live not in fear but with that great and glorious hope that is only found in Jesus Christ.
What will resurrection be like? Paul tells us clearly that we will be transformed bodily:
1 Corinthians 15:42: “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:”
1 Corinthians 15:43: “It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:”
1 Corinthians 15:44: “It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.”
And Paul also tells us how this will happen:
1 Corinthians 15:51: “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,”
1 Corinthians 15:52: “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
1 Corinthians 15:53: “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”
1 Corinthians 15:54: “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”
Death does not have the final say over our lives. We have so much to look forward to in the hereafter. But we cannot be slack while we live and breathe on this earth. So Paul instructs us on how we should be in our daily life:
1 Corinthians 15:58: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
Where is Thy Sting? Related Articles
==> Also read “Out From the Depths.”
==> And read “In Times Like These, Look to the Lord.”