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1 Corinthians 15

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.

Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:

And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.

For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:

And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.

And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?

And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?

I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.

Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?

Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:

And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:

But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.

All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.

There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:

It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

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.

For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

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.

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

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.

What does 1 Corinthians 15:26 mean?

Explanation

The verse 1 Corinthians 15:26, "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death," presents a powerful message about the ultimate victory over death through Jesus Christ.

In a literal sense, the apostle Paul is stating that death will eventually be defeated.

Beyond the literal interpretation, the deeper meaning touches on core Christian beliefs about the resurrection and the afterlife.

It reassures believers that, although death is an undeniable part of the human experience, it will not have the final word.

In Christian theology, this verse echoes the hope of eternity and the belief that through Jesus' resurrection, those who follow him also overcome death and look forward to an everlasting life beyond physical death.

Top Rated 1 Corinthians Books

Historical Context

This verse is part of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, a document written to the early Christian church in Corinth around A.D. 55.

Corinth was a major Greek city famous for its wealth, diversity, and moral laxity.

Paul's letter addresses various issues troubling the Corinthian church, including divisions, immorality, and questions about the resurrection.

In Chapter 15, from which this verse is taken, Paul is responding to some denials or misunderstandings of the resurrection among the Corinthians.

Therefore, he emphasizes the significance of the resurrection as a foundational doctrine of Christian faith, culminating in the proclamation that death itself will ultimately be undone.

Theological Insights

Different Christian denominations may interpret this verse slightly differently, but generally, the consensus is that it refers to the ultimate triumph over physical and spiritual death through Jesus Christ.

Mainstream Christian theology views this as part of the eschatological promise, where at the Second Coming of Christ, death is finally abolished.

For Catholics, Orthodox, and many Protestant denominations, this verse is seen as a promise of hope and a foundation for the belief in life after death.

Some theologians also interpret "death" to represent not only the cessation of physical life but also spiritual death due to sin.

The verse therefore not only predicts the end of physical death but also the end of separation from God, which is viewed as a consequence of sin.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, the verse can provide comfort and hope for those who are grieving, facing their mortality, or struggling with the fear of death.

Christians may find in it an encouragement to live courageous and purposeful lives, knowing that their ultimate future is not in death, but in eternal life. It can also motivate believers to share their faith, as the hope of overcoming death is central to the Gospel message.

Cross-References

Here are strongly related verses from the King James Version of the Bible:

Revelation 21:4: "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."
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."
1 Corinthians 15:55-57: "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?...

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

2 Timothy 1:10: "But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:"

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word "enemy" (echthros) refers to a foe or adversary. This word implies more than just an opposing force; it is something that is hostile to the well-being of individuals or groups.

The term "destroyed" (katargeo) carries the connotation of rendering idle, abolishing, or bringing to nothing.

It goes beyond mere destruction to suggest a nullification of power or effectiveness.

Regarding "death" (thanatos), it reflects not just the physical act of dying but the broader concept of death as a prevailing power or influence.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparing 1 Corinthians 15:26 with other ancient myths and religious interpretations, we find that many cultures contain myths about immortality and the defeat of death. For example, the Egyptian god Osiris experiences death and resurrection, symbolizing the cycle of life, death, and renewal.

However, unlike these myths where the conquest of death is often cyclical or limited to deities, the Christian narrative of 1 Corinthians 15:26 presents a once-for-all defeat of death through a singular, historical event, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern scientific understanding, death is a biological process that ends the functioning of an organism.

It is generally viewed as a natural and inevitable phenomenon.

The idea of death being "destroyed" is not something that science addresses directly, as it is more of a theological and metaphysical concept than a scientific one.

Nevertheless, the human desire to understand, postpone, and even conquer death drives much of medical and technological research, such as in gerontology, regenerative medicine, and life extension technologies.

Commentaries

Experts and scholars have reflected on this particular verse, highlighting its significance in Christian eschatology.

Many agree that Paul is emphasizing the comprehensive scope of Christ's victory over sin and death.

Renowned biblical commentators such as Matthew Henry and John Gill view the verse as a statement of the ultimate defeat of all that opposes God's plan of salvation, seeing death not only as the last enemy but also as the culminating point of Christ's victory.

Contemporary theologians also discuss the comfort and assurance this promise brings to believers, emphasizing that this verse encapsulates the Christian hope.

1 Corinthians 15

1 Corinthians 15

What does 1 Corinthians 15:26 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated 1 Corinthians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does 1 Corinthians 15:26 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated 1 Corinthians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?