1 Corinthians 15:55
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
Original Language Analysis
θάνατε
O death
G2288
θάνατε
O death
Strong's:
G2288
Word #:
3 of 10
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 10
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κέντρον
sting
G2759
κέντρον
sting
Strong's:
G2759
Word #:
5 of 10
a point ("center"), i.e., a sting (figuratively, poison) or goad (figuratively, divine impulse)
ᾅδη,
O grave
G86
ᾅδη,
O grave
Strong's:
G86
Word #:
8 of 10
properly, unseen, i.e., "hades" or the place (state) of departed souls
Cross References
Hosea 13:14I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.Psalms 89:48What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.Acts 2:27Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.Romans 5:14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.Acts 9:5And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.Ecclesiastes 8:8There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.
Historical Context
Hosea 13:14 in context is threat against rebellious Israel: "O death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting?"—God summons death as judgment. Paul reinterprets it as taunt against defeated death. This illustrates apostolic hermeneutic—Old Testament texts fulfill in Christ in ways original context didn't envision. Christ's resurrection transforms God's threats into promises.
Questions for Reflection
- How does turning Hosea's threat into taunt demonstrate resurrection's transformative power?
- What is death's 'sting' that has been removed—why is death no longer fatal for believers?
- How should Christians 'taunt' death—what does bold confidence in resurrection look like practically?
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Analysis & Commentary
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (ποῦ σου, θάνατε, τὸ κέντρον; ποῦ σου, ᾅδη, τὸ νῖκος;)—Paul quotes Hosea 13:14, transforming it from threat to taunt. The word kentron (κέντρον, "sting, goad") refers to a scorpion's or insect's venomous stinger—death's power to kill. The word nikos (νῖκος, "victory") in manuscripts varies with Hadēs (ᾅδης, "grave, realm of the dead") or thanatos (θάνατος, "death").
This is resurrection's triumphant cry—death's sting is removed, the grave has no victory. The rhetorical questions expect answer: "Nowhere! Death has lost its power!" This isn't denial of death's reality but proclamation of its defeat. Christians die, but death no longer has dominion (Romans 6:9). Resurrection neutralizes death's venom. The grave cannot hold believers—Christ has conquered it.