1 Corinthians 15:56

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

{G1161} The sting {G2759} of death {G2288} is sin {G266}; and {G1161} the strength {G1411} of sin {G266} is the law {G3551}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The sting of death is sin; and sin draws its power from the Torah;

Berean Standard Bible

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

American Standard Version

The sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Corinthians 15:56 serves as a profound theological explanation within Paul's discourse on the resurrection, clarifying the nature of death's power and sin's dominion. It asserts that death's ability to inflict its fatal wound (its "sting") is derived from sin, and further, that sin itself draws its formidable power ("strength") from the Law. This verse succinctly encapsulates the human predicament under the old covenant, highlighting the interconnectedness of sin, death, and the Law, thereby setting the stage for the triumphant declaration of Christ's victory over all three.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed at the climax of Paul's extended argument for the bodily resurrection of believers in [1 Corinthians 15](/1_corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection Chapter"). Having meticulously laid out the historical evidence for Christ's resurrection and its implications for believers, Paul shifts to a triumphant declaration of victory over death. The preceding verse, [1 Corinthians 15:55](/1_corinthians/15-55 "1 Corinthians 15:55 - O Death, Where is Thy Sting?"), rhetorically challenges death and the grave, echoing prophetic language from [Hosea 13:14](/hosea/13-14 "Hosea 13:14 - Victory Over Death"). Verse 56 then immediately provides the theological rationale for *why* death had a "sting" and *how* sin wielded its power, thus explaining the very problem that Christ's resurrection addresses. It functions as a crucial explanatory bridge between the triumphant challenge to death and the subsequent declaration of God's victory through Christ in [1 Corinthians 15:57](/1_corinthians/15-57 "1 Corinthians 15:57 - Thanks Be to God!").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Corinthian church was grappling with various theological and practical issues, including some members denying the resurrection of the dead (cf. [1 Corinthians 15:12](/1_corinthians/15-12 "1 Corinthians 15:12 - If Christ Be Not Risen")). Paul's lengthy exposition in [1 Corinthians 15](/1_corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection Chapter") directly counters this skepticism by grounding the Christian hope in the historical reality of Christ's resurrection and its future implications for believers. Culturally, death was a pervasive and often terrifying reality in the ancient world, often associated with the unknown, the underworld, and the cessation of all existence. Paul's assertion that death's power is rooted in sin would have resonated with Jewish understandings of sin's consequences (e.g., [Genesis 2:17](/genesis/2-17 "Genesis 2:17 - The Command and Consequence")) and offered a unique Christian perspective on overcoming this ultimate enemy.
* **Key Themes:** [1 Corinthians 15](/1_corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection Chapter") is dominated by the theme of **resurrection**, specifically the bodily resurrection of Christ and its guarantee for believers. Verse 56 contributes to this by explaining the **power of sin** and its inextricable link to **death**. Paul consistently argues throughout his epistles that sin brought death into the world ([Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Romans 5:12 - Sin and Death Through Adam")), and that the Law, while holy and good, served to expose and amplify sin, not to provide salvation ([Romans 7:7-13](/romans/7-7-13 "Romans 7:7-13 - The Law and Sin")). This verse underscores the **necessity of Christ's victory** over both sin and death, which is the central message of the chapter. It highlights the profound **human predicament** under the Law and the **triumphant liberation** offered through the gospel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sting (Greek, _kéntron'_):** This word refers to a sharp point, specifically the sting of a scorpion or a venomous serpent, or even a goad used to drive animals. In this context, it vividly portrays death not as a gentle sleep but as a formidable, painful, and ultimately fatal adversary that injects poison into its victim, leading to spiritual and physical demise. It emphasizes the destructive, injurious power of death.
* **sin (Greek, _hamartía'_):** This term denotes a "missing of the mark," a transgression, or an offense against God's law. Here, it is identified as the very source and essence of death's "sting." It is not merely an action but a pervasive spiritual condition that separates humanity from God and brings about the consequence of death, both spiritual and physical.
* **strength (Greek, _dýnamis'_):** This word signifies inherent power, force, or ability, often implying miraculous power. In this verse, it highlights the formidable power and dominion that sin wields over humanity. It is the effective force by which sin operates and achieves its destructive ends, leading to death.
* **law (Greek, _nómos'_):** This refers to a prescriptive usage or regulation, specifically the Mosaic Law. Paul clarifies that the Law, though holy and good, does not cause sin but rather defines it, exposes it, and makes transgression evident. By setting righteous standards, the Law reveals humanity's inability to meet them, thereby amplifying sin's condemning power and strengthening its hold, leading to guilt and death.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The sting of death is sin":** This clause reveals the fundamental connection between death and sin. Death is not merely a natural biological process but an enemy whose power to inflict a fatal, poisonous wound (its "sting") is derived directly from sin. It is sin that gives death its destructive force and its ability to separate humanity from God, as the wages of sin is death ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")).
* **"and the strength of sin is the law":** This second clause explains how sin gains its formidable power. The Law, by clearly defining what is right and wrong, makes transgression evident and brings about the knowledge of sin ([Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - The Law and Knowledge of Sin")). It does not cause sin, but by exposing humanity's inability to perfectly fulfill its righteous demands, the Law empowers sin's condemning force, making humanity accountable and strengthening sin's dominion over them, ultimately leading to death.

#### Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs **Personification** in this verse, portraying "death" as an adversary with a "sting" and "sin" as an entity possessing "strength." This vivid imagery allows the reader to grasp the formidable nature of these spiritual realities. The "sting" is a powerful **Metaphor** for death's fatal, poisonous effect, drawing on the common experience of venomous creatures. Furthermore, the verse presents a clear **Causal Chain** or **Logical Progression**: the Law empowers sin, and sin empowers death. This logical structure underscores the depth of the human predicament before Christ and sets the stage for the ultimate solution found in His resurrection.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates the biblical understanding of humanity's fallen state and the interconnectedness of sin, death, and the Law. It reveals that death is not merely a biological endpoint but a consequence and manifestation of sin's reign. Moreover, the Law, though given by God and holy, good, and just ([Romans 7:12](/romans/7-12 "Romans 7:12 - The Law is Holy")), paradoxically serves to strengthen sin's power by exposing human transgression and bringing condemnation. This theological framework highlights the utter inability of humanity to save itself and underscores the absolute necessity of divine intervention to break this cycle of sin and death. It sets the stage for the gospel, where Christ's work provides the only true remedy.

* [Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Romans 5:12 - Sin Entered the World Through One Man"): "Wherefore, 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 7:7](/romans/7-7 "Romans 7:7 - The Law and Sin"): "What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet."
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin"): "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 15:56 forces us to confront the gravity of sin and its ultimate consequence: death. It dismantles any notion that death is merely a natural part of life, revealing it as a formidable enemy empowered by our rebellion against God. It also clarifies the Law's role, not as a means of salvation, but as a mirror reflecting our brokenness and amplifying sin's condemning power. This understanding should lead to profound humility and a deep appreciation for the gospel. We recognize that left to ourselves, we are trapped in a cycle where our sin leads to death, and the very standards meant to guide us only serve to highlight our inability to escape. This verse compels us to look beyond our own efforts and find our hope in the one who conquered both sin and death. It transforms our view of mortality, shifting it from a terrifying unknown to a conquered adversary for those in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding sin as the "sting of death" change your perspective on sin's true nature and consequences?**
* **In what ways might we still subtly rely on "the law" (rules, self-effort) for our righteousness, rather than fully embracing grace?**
* **If the Law strengthens sin's power, how does Christ's fulfillment of the Law free us from this cycle?**
* **How does this verse deepen your gratitude for Jesus' victory over death and sin?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse mean the Law is bad or causes sin?**

Answer: No, this verse does not mean the Law is bad or that it causes sin. Paul is clear elsewhere that "the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good" ([Romans 7:12](/romans/7-12 "Romans 7:12 - The Law is Holy")). The Law's purpose was to reveal God's righteous standards and expose humanity's inability to meet them. By defining sin, the Law makes transgression evident and brings about the knowledge of sin ([Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - The Law and Knowledge of Sin")). In this sense, it "strengthens" sin's power not by creating sin, but by making sin's guilt and condemnation undeniable. It acts like a magnifying glass, revealing the true extent of our sinfulness and our desperate need for a Savior.

**How does Christ remove the "sting of death" and break the "strength of sin"?**

Answer: Christ removes the "sting of death" and breaks the "strength of sin" through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection. By dying on the cross, Jesus bore the penalty for humanity's sin, becoming "sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). His resurrection then demonstrated His complete victory over death itself. For those who believe in Him, the power of sin to condemn is broken because Christ has fulfilled the Law's demands and taken its curse. Death, therefore, loses its "sting" because it no longer leads to eternal separation from God but rather to eternal life with Him ([John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 15:56 sets the stage for the glorious truth of the gospel, revealing the profound human predicament that only Christ could resolve. The "sting of death" is sin, and sin's "strength" is the Law, creating an inescapable trap for humanity. However, the New Testament proclaims that Jesus Christ, through His perfect obedience, sacrificial death, and triumphant resurrection, has utterly disarmed this deadly combination. He became "a curse for us" ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")), fulfilling the Law's righteous demands and absorbing its condemning power. By taking the penalty of sin upon Himself, Christ removed death's venomous "sting" for all who believe, transforming it from a terrifying end into a mere passageway to eternal life. His resurrection is the ultimate proof that sin's power has been broken and death has been swallowed up in victory ([1 Corinthians 15:54](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54 - Death Swallowed Up in Victory")). Thus, in Christ, believers are no longer under the dominion of sin and death, but live by the power of the Spirit, freed from the Law's condemnation, looking forward to the ultimate and final resurrection into His glorious presence ([Romans 8:1-2](/romans/8-1-2 "Romans 8:1-2 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 4:15

Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, [there is] no transgression.

Galatians 3:10

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

Galatians 3:13

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that hangeth on a tree:

Romans 7:5

For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

Romans 7:13

Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 5:12

Wherefore, 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: