1 Corinthians 15:55
What does 1 Corinthians 15:55 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 15:55 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 15:55 means
Paul taunts death: “O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?” The sting once felt unavoidable; now it is gone. This is not denial of present grief but proclamation that death’s ultimate power is broken. The rhetorical questions celebrate that, in Christ, death cannot claim the last word. The fear and finality that once ruled human hearts are disarmed by the resurrection. The verse gives voice to Christian confidence at the grave: what was once a tyrant is now a defeated enemy, awaiting its final abolition when Christ raises His people in glory.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?
KJV
King James Version · 1611O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949O death, where is your power? O death, where are your pains?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862where, O Death, thy sting? where, O Hades, thy victory?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Where, O death, [is] thy sting? where, O death, thy victory?
Context
After announcing death’s defeat (v. 54), Paul addresses death directly in mockery (v. 55), preparing to explain how its sting operated (v. 56) and to give thanks for victory through Christ (v. 57). The context turns analytical reflection into jubilant proclamation, as the theology of resurrection becomes the church’s song of triumph.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ecclesiastes 8:8
There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power over the day of death; and there is no discharge in war: neither shall wickedness deliver him that is given to it.
- Psalms 49:8
(For the redemption of their life is costly, And it faileth for ever),
- Psalms 89:48
What man is he that shall live and not see death, That shall deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? [Selah
- Luke 16:23
And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
- Hosea 13:14
I will ransom them from the power of Sheol; I will redeem them from death: O death, where are thy plagues? O Sheol, where is thy destruction? repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.
- Romans 5:14
Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the likeness of Adam’s transgression, who is a figure of him that was to come.
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