1 Corinthians 15:56
New International Version
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

New Living Translation
For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.

English Standard Version
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

Berean Standard Bible
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

Berean Literal Bible
Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law.

King James Bible
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

New King James Version
The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.

New American Standard Bible
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law;

NASB 1995
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;

NASB 1977
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;

Legacy Standard Bible
Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;

Amplified Bible
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin [by which it brings death] is the law;

Christian Standard Bible
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

American Standard Version
The sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law:

Contemporary English Version
Sin is what gives death its sting, and the Law is the power behind sin.

English Revised Version
The sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Sin gives death its sting, and God's standards give sin its power.

Good News Translation
Death gets its power to hurt from sin, and sin gets its power from the Law.

International Standard Version
Now death's stinger is sin, and sin's power is the Law.

Majority Standard Bible
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

NET Bible
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

New Heart English Bible
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

Webster's Bible Translation
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

Weymouth New Testament
Now sin is the sting of death, and sin derives its power from the Law;

World English Bible
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the sting of death [is] sin, and the power of sin the Law;

Berean Literal Bible
Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law.

Young's Literal Translation
and the sting of the death is the sin, and the power of the sin the law;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the sting of death sin; and the power of sin the law.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now the sting of death is sin: and the power of sin is the law.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

New American Bible
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

New Revised Standard Version
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But the sting of death is sin and the power of sin is The Written Law.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

Godbey New Testament
But the sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law.

Haweis New Testament
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

Mace New Testament
the sting of death was sin; and the strength of sin was the law.

Weymouth New Testament
Now sin is the sting of death, and sin derives its power from the Law;

Worrell New Testament
The sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law:

Worsley New Testament
the sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Where, O Death, is Your Victory?
55“Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!…

Cross References
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 7:7-11
What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been mindful of sin if not for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” / But sin, seizing its opportunity through the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from the law, sin is dead. / Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. ...

Galatians 3:10-13
All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” / Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” / The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” ...

James 1:14-15
But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. / Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Romans 5:12-14
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned. / For sin was in the world before the law was given; but sin is not taken into account when there is no law. / Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who did not sin in the way that Adam transgressed. He is a pattern of the One to come.

Romans 4:15
because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression.

Galatians 3:19
Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator.

Hebrews 2:14-15
Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, / and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

Romans 3:20
Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin.

Romans 7:5
For when we lived according to the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, bearing fruit for death.

1 John 3:4
Everyone who practices sin practices lawlessness as well. Indeed, sin is lawlessness.

Romans 8:2
For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death.

2 Corinthians 3:6-9
And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. / Now if the ministry of death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at the face of Moses because of its fleeting glory, / will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? ...

Matthew 5:17-18
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. / For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

Ezekiel 18:4
Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine. The soul who sins is the one who will die.


Treasury of Scripture

The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

sting.

Genesis 3:17-19
And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; …

Psalm 90:3-11
Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men…

Proverbs 14:32
The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

the strength.

Romans 3:19,20
Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God…

Romans 4:15
Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

Romans 5:13,20
(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law…

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Death Derives Law Pain Power Sin Sting Strength
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Death Derives Law Pain Power Sin Sting Strength
1 Corinthians 15
1. By Christ's resurrection,
12. he proves the necessity of our resurrection,
16. against all such as deny the resurrection of the body.
21. The fruit,
35. and the manner thereof;
51. and of the resurrection of those who shall be found alive at the last day.














The sting of death
The word "sting" in Greek is "kentron," which refers to a sharp point or a goad, often used to describe the sting of a scorpion or bee. In this context, it symbolizes the pain and fear associated with death. Historically, death has been seen as the ultimate enemy of humanity, a consequence of the Fall in Genesis. Theologically, death entered the world through sin (Romans 5:12), and its "sting" is the separation from God, which is the ultimate spiritual death. This phrase reminds believers that death's sting is not merely physical but deeply spiritual, emphasizing the need for redemption through Christ.

is sin
The Greek word for "sin" is "hamartia," meaning to miss the mark or fall short of God's standard. Sin is the root cause of death, as it separates humanity from the holiness of God. In the biblical narrative, sin entered the world through Adam and Eve's disobedience, bringing death as a consequence (Genesis 3). This phrase highlights the pervasive nature of sin and its devastating effects on creation, underscoring the need for a Savior to conquer both sin and death.

and the power of sin
The term "power" in Greek is "dunamis," indicating strength or force. Sin's power lies in its ability to enslave and dominate human lives, leading to spiritual and physical death. Historically, the Jewish understanding of sin was deeply connected to the law, which revealed sin but could not save from it. This phrase points to the inherent weakness of humanity in overcoming sin by their own efforts, emphasizing the necessity of divine intervention through Jesus Christ.

is the law
The Greek word for "law" is "nomos," referring to the Mosaic Law given to Israel. The law was intended to guide God's people and reveal His standards of righteousness. However, it also exposed human sinfulness, as no one could perfectly adhere to it (Romans 3:20). In this context, the law's role is to illuminate sin, making humanity aware of their need for a Savior. This phrase underscores the law's inability to save, pointing instead to its purpose of leading people to Christ, who fulfills the law and offers grace and redemption.

(56) The sting of death is sin.--Death is pictured as a monster, and it is armed with a sting. Its sting is sin. If there were no sin, death would not be capable of inflicting pain, and the strength of sin springs from the fact that it is the violation of God's law. (See this thought fully brought out, Romans 5:12; Romans 7:7.)

Verse 56. - The sting of death is sin. Because death is the wages of sin (Romans 6:23). Death is represented as a venomous serpent. The strength of sin is the Law. The best comment on this expression is to be found in the Epistle to the Romans; see especially Romans 4:15; Romans 7:10-12. It must be admitted that this passing allusion to a distinct doctrine does not seem, at first sight, to harmonize with the glorious unity of the subject. No one can read it without a slight sense of jar, because it seems to introduce the element of dogmatic controversy. But this sense of incongruity is removed when we remember how intensely St. Paul felt that man is confronted with the horror of a broken Law, which at once reminds him of a Being infinitely holy, and of his own self condemnation (Romans 7; 2 Corinthians 3.). It is the sense that the Law in its deathful aspect is annulled, and the sinful soul delivered, which prompts the outburst of the next verse.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
The
Τὸ (To)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sting
κέντρον (kentron)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2759: A sting, goad; met: of death. From kenteo; a point, i.e. A sting or goad.

of death [is]
θανάτου (thanatou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2288: Death, physical or spiritual. From thnesko; death.

sin,
ἁμαρτία (hamartia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 266: From hamartano; a sin.

and
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

the
(hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

power
δύναμις (dynamis)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1411: From dunamai; force; specially, miraculous power.

of sin
ἁμαρτίας (hamartias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 266: From hamartano; a sin.

[is] the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Law.
νόμος (nomos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3551: From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death is sin (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 15:55
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