What does it mean that “the sting of death is sin” in 1 Corinthians 15:56?

Answer

After addressing death in the previous verses, the apostle Paul writes, “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law” «The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. », (1 Corinthians 15:56, ESV). To comprehend this verse, we need to delve into the connection between the law, sin, and death.

In stating “the sting of death is sin,” Paul compares death to a menacing creature on the attack. Its venomous weapon—its sting—is what gives death its lethal power over individuals. Without sin, death would not be an adversary at all—merely a harmless serpent or a powerless scorpion. It is our sin that exposes us to mortal peril.

In 1 Corinthians 15:54–55, Paul references Hosea 13:14, proclaiming, “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (ESV). Here, Paul asserts that death has been conquered «The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. », (see 1 Corinthians 15:26). As a vanquished foe, it no longer possesses the same sting. The poison has been eradicated. However, for non-believers, the sting endures. They are tormented by death and judgment due to their impenitence and deliberate rejection of Christ. Conversely, for believers, the sting of death has been nullified through faith in the sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21;Galatians 3:13;1 Peter 2:24).

The sting of death originated in the Garden of Eden. Because of Adam’s disobedience, “sin came into the world . . . and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned” «WherBefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: », (Romans 5:12, ESV). Sin is the “sting” or root cause of death «For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.», (Romans 6:23). If Adam had not sinned, then people would not die. Death must be understood in two ways: (1) physical and (2) spiritual. Physical death is the termination of our biological existence, whereas spiritual death is separation from God, who alone is the true source of life (John 1:3-4;10:10;14:6).

Death is the consequence of sin, a fact made painfully clear by the law «The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. », (Ezekiel 18:20). The law, then, reveals that we deserve death and judgment: “Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them” «who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.», (Romans 1:32, ESV). The power of sin is magnified by the law in that the presence of sin reminds us that we cannot obey the law.

The beauty of Paul’s message is that it does not end with the law, sin, and death. No, it ends with Christ, who is the “end of the law”«For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. », (Romans 10:4, ESV). His sacrificial death and victorious resurrection provide the solution to our sin problem. When we sinned, He could have chosen to stay in heaven and said, “That’s not my problem.” But His love for us was too immense. Out of love, “he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross” «and being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross. », (Philippians 2:8, ESV). On the cross, He carried our sins, not His own. He died, but He did not remain dead. Three days later, He rose from the grave, conquering Satan, sin, and death. In Christ, believers are triumphant. So, death, where is your sting?