1 Corinthians 15:55-58 (WEL) 55 O death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? [Hosea 13:14] 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor (for fruit) in the Lord is not futile.
V55 O death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? [Hosea 13:14]
Since the resurrection is 100% guaranteed by God, Paul shouts in victory over death. Death was not the desired end for creation, but Adam, when facing a choice to believe and obey God, did not believe and disobeyed. God gave the law and the punishment. Adam deliberately chose to disobey.
God the Father sent (1 John 4:10, Romans 8:3, and Galatians 4:4) and gave His Son (John 3:16) to be the Savior of the world (John 4:42, John 1:9, and 1 John 4:14). The Holy Spirit convicts people of their sin, but still most refuse.
Unless Jesus comes back for us first, we will have our resurrection. Every believer should rejoice in our coming resurrection.
V56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
Death is the sting that makes people be afraid. The law condemns and demands justice. God, the Judge, examines and delivers a verdict. If guilty, then eternal death.
(Holman Commentary) “Second, he declared that sin inflicts its sting of death through the law. With the first assertion, Paul began to bring the argument to its conclusion by returning to the issue with which he had begun: the gospel. The resurrection is essential to the gospel that saves believers from their sin. If there is no resurrection, neither is sin defeated.”
V57 But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
God gives the victory, not us. All glory to God who had a plan for redemption for all people, if they believe in His Son, the Lord Jesus. Jesus was the Passover Lamb slain, buried, and resurrected for sins. 1 John 2:2 (KJ21) And He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Ask Andy AI (Andy Woods Ministries) explains: “Propitiation is a crucial biblical doctrine that refers to the complete satisfaction of God’s holy wrath against sin through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. Because God is perfectly holy, He must punish sin; His wrath against sin is real and just. Propitiation means that this divine wrath has been fully appeased, pacified, and satisfied by Jesus bearing the punishment in our place on the cross. In other words, Jesus Christ, as our substitute, took upon Himself the full wrath of God that we deserved because of our sins. This act of propitiation means that God’s anger toward the sins of those who are in Christ has been fully satisfied, so God is no longer angry with believers. Instead, His love is freely expressed toward them. This is why Jesus could say on the cross, “It is finished,” signifying that the debt of sin was fully paid. Propitiation is different from expiation, which refers to the removal of sin’s penalty, and redemption, which refers to the purchase of a sinner from bondage to sin. Propitiation specifically addresses God’s wrath and how it has been satisfied through Christ’s blood. Because of propitiation, believers can have assurance that God’s wrath is no longer directed at them, and they are secure in His love and grace. This doctrine also underscores the seriousness of sin and the holiness of God, while highlighting the amazing grace provided through Jesus’ substitutionary atonement.”
V58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor (for fruit) in the Lord is not futile.
Paul is speaking to Christians, those who chose to believe. He encourages and pleads with them to be 1) steadfast (moment by moment living the faith), 2) unmovable (by false doctrine), and always abounding in the work of the Lord (witnessing by words, life, and actions). Whatever we do, say, and think is to be for the glory of God (Matthew 5:15).
We learn:
- Sin brings God’s judgment and wrath.
- Jesus is the only savior.
- We are to live for Jesus daily.
Questions:
- How consistent are you in your Christian life?
- How could you improve or encourage someone else to improve?