I Corinthians 15:50-58
Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep… (v. 51a) Many commentators have written that Paul was expecting Jesus’ return to come in the near future, but clearly that didn’t happen. But I agree with the commentators. I think this verse is one of the strongest that he makes in support of that expectation.
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. (v. 56) It’s not immediately clear what Paul is saying in this verse. It helps to reverse the two statements connected by the conjunction “and”. It also helps to “invert” each statement. Paul has done this very thing for us when he wrote to the Romans. Here are two verses that re-state verse 56 above. For by works of the Law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the Law comes knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:20) And For the wages of sin is death… (Romans 6:23a) I think these two verses together clarify verse 56.
A good closing thought: Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (v. 58)
Slava Bohu!
I am really uplifted knowing that when the trumpet blasts, we will have new bodies, recognizable but without disability, disease to match our spiritual eternal life. My family’s tradition is cremation (dust to dust, ashes to ashes). While I respect other views, I can’t seem to worry about caskets, embalming, etc, a lot of the customs that go with the burial process. O death where is thy victory, where is thy sting?! Our God will make everything new.