1 Corinthians 15:54
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
Original Language Analysis
ὅταν
when
G3752
ὅταν
when
Strong's:
G3752
Word #:
1 of 24
whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐνδύσηται
shall have put on
G1746
ἐνδύσηται
shall have put on
Strong's:
G1746
Word #:
6 of 24
to invest with clothing (literally or figuratively)
ἀφθαρσίαν
incorruption
G861
ἀφθαρσίαν
incorruption
Strong's:
G861
Word #:
7 of 24
incorruptibility; genitive, unending existence; (figuratively) genuineness
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐνδύσηται
shall have put on
G1746
ἐνδύσηται
shall have put on
Strong's:
G1746
Word #:
12 of 24
to invest with clothing (literally or figuratively)
τότε
then
G5119
τότε
then
Strong's:
G5119
Word #:
14 of 24
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
γενήσεται
shall be brought to pass
G1096
γενήσεται
shall be brought to pass
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
15 of 24
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγος
the saying
G3056
λόγος
the saying
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
17 of 24
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γεγραμμένος
that is written
G1125
γεγραμμένος
that is written
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
19 of 24
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
Κατεπόθη
is swallowed up
G2666
Κατεπόθη
is swallowed up
Strong's:
G2666
Word #:
20 of 24
to drink down, i.e., gulp entire (literally or figuratively)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θάνατος
Death
G2288
θάνατος
Death
Strong's:
G2288
Word #:
22 of 24
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Isaiah 25:8He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.Revelation 20:14And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.Revelation 21:4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.2 Corinthians 4:11For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.Luke 20:36Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.Romans 2:7To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:Romans 8:11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.2 Thessalonians 1:10When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.Romans 6:12Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Historical Context
Isaiah 25:6-9 depicts eschatological banquet where God destroys death forever. Jewish apocalyptic expected this at the eschaton. Christianity proclaims it has begun in Christ's resurrection and will be consummated at His return. Death's defeat is inaugurated eschatology—'already' begun in Christ, 'not yet' completed until the parousia.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the imagery of death being 'swallowed up' indicate about resurrection's finality?
- How does Isaiah 25's banquet imagery connect to Christian hope and the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9)?
- In what sense is death already defeated, yet awaiting final destruction?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality (ὅταν δὲ τὸ φθαρτὸν τοῦτο ἐνδύσηται ἀφθαρσίαν καὶ τὸ θνητὸν τοῦτο ἐνδύσηται ἀθανασίαν)—The temporal conjunction hotan (ὅταν, "when, whenever") with aorist subjunctive indicates future certainty—not "if" but "when." Paul envisions the moment of transformation/resurrection as accomplished fact.
Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory (τότε γενήσεται ὁ λόγος ὁ γεγραμμένος, Κατεπόθη ὁ θάνατος εἰς νῖκος)—Paul quotes Isaiah 25:8 (LXX): "He will swallow up death forever." The verb katepothē (Κατεπόθη, "was swallowed up") uses divine passive—God swallows death. The phrase eis nikos (εἰς νῖκος, "into victory, unto victory") indicates complete, decisive triumph. Death, the devourer, is devoured. The hunter becomes prey. This is Christianity's stunning claim: death doesn't have final word—God defeats death through resurrection.