1 Corinthians 15:54

54 But when this perishable nature has put on what is imperishable, and this mortality has put on immortality, then will the words of Scripture be fulfilled, "Death has been swallowed up in victory."

1 Corinthians 15:54 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 15:54

So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption,
&c.] As at the coming of Christ, both the bodies of living saints, and of dead ones being raised, will: and this

mortal shall have put on immortality;
which will be the case, in the resurrection morn:

then shall be brought to pass that saying that is written;
then that passage will have its full accomplishment, which stands in ( Isaiah 25:8 ) where it is read,

he will swallow up death in victory,
or "for ever". That is, the Messiah shall by his death, and resurrection from the dead, obtain such an entire victory over death, not only for himself, but for all his people, that in the resurrection morn, when they will be all raised from the dead, death will be so swallowed up, that it will be no more: the Jews acknowledge that this prophecy belongs to the times of the Messiah; so they say ^F16, that

``the Messiah shall descend from Pharez, and in his day the holy blessed God will cause death to be swallowed up, as it is said, ( Isaiah 25:8 ) "he shall swallow up death in victory":''

and again ^F17,

``when the King Messiah comes, the holy blessed God will raise up those that sleep in the dust, as it is written, he shall swallow up death in victory:''

they also say ^F18, that this passage refers to future time, and to the world to come. The prophet expresses it actively, it being a prediction of what was to be done by the Messiah; the apostle cites it passively, as being accomplished by him after the resurrection, and considered as a part of the song sung by the risen saints; to which is added,

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FOOTNOTES:

F16 Shemot Rabba, sect. 20. fol. 131. 4.
F17 Zohar in Gen. fol. 73. 1.
F18 Zohar in, Exod. fol. 108. 1, 2, 4. Misn. Moed Katon. c. 3. sect. 9. Zohar iu Lev. fol. 46. 3. Yade Mose in Shirhashirim Rabba, fol. 20. 1. Echa Rabbati, fol. 48. 2.

1 Corinthians 15:54 In-Context

52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the sounding of the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incapable of decay, and *we* shall be changed.

53 For so it must be: this perishable nature must clothe itself with what is imperishable, and this mortality must clothe itself with immortality.

54 But when this perishable nature has put on what is imperishable, and this mortality has put on immortality, then will the words of Scripture be fulfilled, "Death has been swallowed up in victory."

55 "Where, O death, is thy victory? Where, O death, is thy sting?"

56 Now sin is the sting of death, and sin derives its power from the Law;