1 Corinthians 15:26

Contextual Overview

²⁰ But Christ really has been raised from death—the first one of all those who will be raised. ²⁰ But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²⁰ But now is Christ rysen from deeth and is become the fyrst frutes of them that slept. ²⁰ But now Messiah has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruits of those who are asleep. ²⁰ But at this moment Christ stands risen from the dead, the first one offered in the harvestthe first fruits">[fn] of those who have died.have fallen asleep">[fn]Acts 26:23; 1 Corinthians 15:23; Colossians 1:18; 1 Peter 1:3; Revelation 1:5;">[xr] ²⁰ But the fact is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. ²⁰ But Christ has truly been raised from the dead—the first one and proof that those who sleep in death will also be raised. ²⁰ But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those that are asleep. ²⁰ But now is Christ raised from the dead, [and] become the first-fruits of them that slept. ²⁰ But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

1 Corinthians 15:55, Isaiah 25:8, Hosea 13:14, Luke 20:36, 2 Timothy 1:10, Hebrews 2:14, Revelation 20:14, Revelation 21:4

Reciprocal: Psalms 9:6 - destructions Hebrews 1:13 - until

Gill's Notes on the Bible

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. Not eternal death; for though that is abolished by Christ with respect to his own people, who shall never be hurt by it, and over whom it shall have no power; yet the wicked will always be subject to it, and under the dominion of it: but a corporeal one is here meant; which is an enemy, the fruit, effect, and wages of sin; the penalty and curse of the law; is contrary to human nature, and destructive of the work of God's hands: it is, indeed, through the blood, righteousness, and sacrifice of Christ, become the friend of his people; it is disarmed of its sting, and ceases to be a penal evil; it is the saints' passage to glory, what frees them from the troubles of this world, and is their way to the joys of another; but yet in itself is formidable to nature, and disagreeable to it: and it is the last enemy; it is so both in its rise and duration; it appeared as an enemy last; Satan was the first enemy of mankind, who attacked, tempted, and ruined the first parents of human nature, and all their posterity in them; and by this means, sin, the next enemy, came into the world of men; and, last of all, death, with its numerous train of calamities, either going before, attending, or following of it: and as it was the last enemy that came into the world, it is the last that will go out of it; for when the saints are rid of Satan, and clear of sin, they will remain in the grave under the power of a corporeal death till the resurrection, and then that will be "destroyed": for the saints will be raised to an immortal life, never to die more, and to an enjoyment of everlasting life, in the utmost glory and happiness; and though the wicked when they rise, they will rise to damnation, to shame and contempt, yet their worm will never die, nor their fire be quenched; they will always live, though in torment, there will be no more corporeal death, neither among the righteous nor the wicked; it will be utterly abolished: and thus the apostle, though he seems to digress from his subject awhile, by relating the several things which will either immediately or quickly follow the second coming of Christ; yet at the same time has it in view, and proves the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, which must needs be, or death cannot be said to be destroyed, and by degrees returns to his subject again.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death - The other foes of God should be subdued “before” the final resurrection. The enmity of the human heart should be subdued by the triumphs of the gospel. The scepter of Satan should be broken and wrested from him. The false systems of religion that had tyrannized over people should be destroyed. The gospel should have spread everywhere, and the world be converted to God. And nothing should remain but to “subdue” or destroy death, and that would be by the resurrection. It would be:

(1) Because the resurrection would be a triumph over death, showing that there was one of greater power, and that the sceptre would be wrested from the hands of death.

(2) Because death would cease to reign. No more would ever die. All that should be raised up would live forever; and the effects of sin and rebellion in this world would be thus forever ended, and the kingdom of God restored. Death is here personified as a tyrant, exercising despotic power over the human race; and “he” is to be subdued.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 26. The last enemy — Death, shall be destroyed; καταργειται, shall be counter-worked, subverted, and finally overturned. But death cannot be destroyed by there being simply no farther death; death can only be destroyed and annihilated by a general resurrection; if there be no general resurrection, it is most evident that death will still retain his empire. Therefore, the fact that death shall be destroyed assures the fact that there shall be a general resurrection; and this is a proof, also, that after the resurrection there shall be no more death.