4.1 – Assurance of Strength – 1 Corinthians 15:56-57

Practices 1 Minute

Memorize 1 Corinthians 15:56-57

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 (NRSV)

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (NIV).

Reflect on 1 Corinthians 15:56-57

  • Read Paul's teaching on Jesus' resurrection in the NRSV, the NIV, or The MESSAGE.
  • The many "fear nots" ("do not be afraid" in the NIV) in the Bible are mirrored in today's prideful advertising slogan "No Fear!"  Paul tells us that we can live without fear because God through Jesus has already won the victory for us.  What do you fear?
  • What about death?  Do you fear death?  Does USAmerican culture fear death?
  • What one risk will you make for God this week?

Published by Allen Bingham

I am a follower of Jesus, husband, father, and pastor of Haymount United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA.

Published

2 thoughts on “4.1 – Assurance of Strength – 1 Corinthians 15:56-57”

  1. Dear Allen: I really need help with this one. If I were to share these words with a non believer, I do not think I could have a clear following of what these words are saying. I know that the foremost point here is that We Do Have Victory. But I have heard some sermons on the first words that are “The sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the law.” And at that time the minister used these words at the death of a dear friend of mine. I am confused at having death and sin in the same context when I believe that death is what I am growing toward in order to overcome sin. I could go further with this but maybe you have a better point on this.

  2. Cathy, The MESSAGE says it this way: “It was sin that made death so frightening and law-code guilt that gave sin its leverage, its destructive power. But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three–sin, guilt, death–are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God!” I am not sure what the sermons you heard were about, but if I have learned anything as a pastor it is that many memorable (good and bad) understandings of scripture emerge in moments of high emotion. This can be unfortunate because an interpretation may linger far longer than it validity. My own hunch about this passage is that Paul is reminding us that death should not cause fear for Christians because of God’s raising Jesus from the dead. My physical death does not haunt me, because I know the One who raised Jesus from the dead! Now having faced that, I can move on to allow God to transform my life so that I live for Jesus … the One Who Is! Thanks for the question and I will pray some more about it. Peace, Allen

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