O Death, Where Is Your Sting? | 1 Corinthians 15:54-58

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

We are about to begin our next study, and we are moving into the Old Testament. We will begin with the book of Hosea. Hosea shows us a God who refuses to let his people go—even when they run from him. This means it is time to get your next Scripture Journal from our website for this study. If you are a Project23 partner giving $35/month or more, we have already sent this to you in the mail.

Our shout-out today goes to Kevin O'Neil from Prior Lake, MN. Thanks for your partnership in Project23.

Our text today is 1 Corinthians 15:54-58.

When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. — 1 Corinthians 15:54-58

Paul, still speaking about the critical nature of the resurrection, now narrows his focus to one unavoidable reality.

“Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.”

This present body—weak, aging, perishable—cannot enter eternity as it is.

Paul now brings the chapter to its triumphant close.

“When the perishable puts on the imperishable... ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’” (This is from the book of Hosea, which is our next book of the Bible).

This is prophetic fulfillment.

Isaiah anticipated it. Hosea echoed it. Paul preached it. We need to remember it.

In the resurrection of Jesus, our victory has already begun.

Then Paul dares to taunt the grave:

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

Death may feel powerful. Funerals still bring emotional aches. Bodies still return to dust. But for those in Christ, stinger of the scorpion of sin is simply a reminder of the day the sting and death are gone.

This is because sin incurs judgment defeated by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christ bore the penalty for sin and its sting. He fulfilled the law. He rose in triumph. So death no longer holds final authority over those who belong to him.

“Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

And we are called to faithful obedience because of this hope.

DO THIS:

Choose one act of faithful obedience you have been postponing. Do it this week—not because you feel strong, but because Christ is risen.

ASK THIS:

1. Do I live like death still has the final word?
2. Where has fear weakened my faithfulness?
3. Am I abounding in the Lord’s work—or retreating under pressure?

PRAY THIS:

Lord, thank you for victory through Jesus Christ. Make me steadfast when I grow weary. Fix my eyes on the risen Christ so I labor with courage, knowing my work in you is not in vain. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Before the Throne of God Above”