June 1, 2021

JD Wilhelm
54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Cor. 15:54-57

The picture at the end of 1 Corinthians 15 is that of the end times and is designed by Paul to bring perspective to the Corinthian church. Paul points to the sting of death which comes as a result of sin. The law provides fertile soil for sin. In the law, sin finds an unrivaled opportunity to find powerful leverage over a person’s life. Unfortunately, we all have felt the sting of sin. We all bear the scars and wounds of the sin done unto us and the sin in the world around us that affects us.

But praise be to God because Paul provides closure to that picture with his reference back to Hosea 13. Paul points to God’s current and ongoing activities in bringing and giving to believers victory over death. Paul affirms the process that is underway with Christ’s death and resurrection and will culminate in the redemption of all creation. We, in turn, respond and echo Paul’s sentiments in verse 57 and give thanks to God for incorporating us into His victorious redemptive work.