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1 Corinthians 15:26

1 Corinthians 15:26 in Multiple Translations

The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

The last enemy that shall be abolished is death.

The last power to come to an end is death.

The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.

The last enemie that shalbe destroyed, is death.

the last enemy is done away — death;

The last enemy that will be abolished is death.

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

And the enemy death shall be destroyed last: For he hath put all things under his feet. And whereas he saith,

The last thing that he will get rid of is death. But he certainly will get rid of death, which is like an enemy to us.

In the end he will stop us from dying. He will keep everything alive, and nobody will die any more.

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Corinthians 15:26

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1 Corinthians 15:26 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK εσχατος εχθρος καταργειται ο θανατος
εσχατος eschatos G2078 last/least Adj-NSM-S
εχθρος echthros G2190 enemy Adj-NSM
καταργειται katargeō G2673 to abate Verb-PPI-3S
ο ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSM
θανατος thanatos G2288 death Noun-NSM
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Greek Word Reference — 1 Corinthians 15:26

εσχατος eschatos G2078 "last/least" Adj-NSM-S
This word means 'last' or 'farthest' and is used to describe something that is final or extreme. It appears in Matthew 20:12 and Acts 1:8, describing the last or utmost things.
Definition: ἔσχατος, -η, -ον [in LXX chiefly for אַחֲרִית אַחֲרוֹן ;] last, utmost, extreme; __(a) of place: of the lowest or least honoured place, Luk.14:9-10; τ. ἔσχατον, with genitive part., Act.1:8 13:47; __(b) of time: Mat.20:12, 14, Mrk.12:6, 22, opposite to πρῶτος, Mat.20:8, 1Co.15:45, Rev.2:19, al.; τὰ ἔ. καὶ T. πρῶτα, Mat.12:45, Luk.11:26, 2Pe.2:20; of the Eternal, ὁ πρῶτος καὶ ὁ ἔ., Rev.1:17 2:8 22:13; in phrases relating to the Messianic age and the consummation of the Kingdom of God: ἐπ᾽ ἐσχάτου (-ων) τ. ἡμερῶν, Heb.1:2, 2Pe.3:3; τ. χρόνων, 1Pe.1:20; ἔ. ὥρα, 1Jn.2:18; ἐπ᾽ ἐ. χόνου, Ju 18; ἐν ἐ. ἡμέραις, Act.2:17, Jas.5:3, 2Ti.3:1; neut., ἔσχατον, as adv., Mrk.12:22, 1Co.15:8; __(with) of rank: Mrk.9:35, 1Co.4:9 (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 47 NT verses. KJV: ends of, last, latter end, lowest, uttermost See also: 1 Corinthians 4:9; Jude 1:18; 1 Peter 1:5.
εχθρος echthros G2190 "enemy" Adj-NSM
Enemy refers to someone who is hostile or hateful, like Satan or a personal adversary. It is used in Romans 11:28 and Matthew 13:28 to describe those who oppose God or His people. This concept is important for understanding spiritual warfare.
Definition: ἐχθρός, -ά, -όν (ἔχθος, hatred), [in LXX chiefly for אֵיבָה, also for עָר, etc. ;] __1. hated, hateful (Hom.): opposite to ἀγαπητός, Rom.11:28. __2. Actively, hating, hostile: Rom.5:10, 1Co.15:25, 2Th.3:15; with genitive of person(s) (cl.), Jas.4:4; τ. διανοίᾳ, Col.1:21; ἐ. ἄνθρωπος, Mat.13:28; as subst., ὁ ἐ., an enemy, 1Co.15:26; the devil, Mat.13:39, Luk.10:19; with genitive of person(s), Mat.22:44 Mrk.12:36, Luk.20:43, Act.2:35, 1Co.15:25, Heb.1:13 10:13" (LXX) ; Mat.5:43-44 10:36 13:25, Luk.1:71, 74 6:27, 35 19:27, 43, Rom.12:20, Gal.4:16, Rev.11:5, 12; with genitive of thing(s), Act.13:10, Php.3:18.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 32 NT verses. KJV: enemy, foe See also: 1 Corinthians 15:25; Luke 19:43; Hebrews 1:13.
καταργειται katargeō G2673 "to abate" Verb-PPI-3S
To make something useless or inactive, like a tree that doesn't produce fruit, as seen in Luke 13:7. It can also mean to abolish or render something invalid, as in Romans 3:3 and Galatians 3:17.
Definition: κατ-αργέω, -ῶ (κατά, causative, ἀργός = ἀ-εργός), [in LXX: 2Es.4.21; 2Es.4.23; 2Es.5.5; 2Es.6.8 (בְּטֵל)* ;] to make idle or inactive (χέρας, Eur., Phœn., 753): of soil occupied by an unfruitful tree, Luk.13:7. Metaphorical (Inscr.), to render inoperative or invalid, to abrogate, abolish: Rom.3:3, 31, 1Co.1:28 6:13 13:11 15:24, Gal.3:17, Eph.2:15, 2Th.2:8, 2Ti.1:10, Heb.2:14; pass., Rom.4:14 6:6, 1Co.2:6 13:8 13:10 15:26, 2Co.3:7 3:11-14 Gal.5:11; before ἀπό (of persons), to be separated, discharged or loosed from, Rom.7:2, 6, Gal.5:4.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 26 NT verses. KJV: abolish, cease, cumber, deliver, destroy, do away, become (make) of no (none, without) effect, fail, loose, bring (come) to nought, put away (down), vanish away, make void See also: 1 Corinthians 1:28; 2 Timothy 1:10; Hebrews 2:14.
ο ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSM
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
θανατος thanatos G2288 "death" Noun-NSM
This word means death, whether it's physical or spiritual. It's used in many places, like John 11:13 and Romans 8:38, to describe the end of life or separation from God. It's the opposite of life.
Definition: θάνατος, -ου, ὁ (θνήσκω), [in LXX chiefly for מָוֶת ,מוּת, sometimes דֶּבֶר ;] death; __1. of the death of the body, whether natural or violent: Jhn.11:13, Php.2:27, Heb.7:23, al; opposite to ζωή, Rom.8:38, Php.1:20; of the death of Christ, Rom.5:10, Php.3:10, Heb.2:9; ῥυέσθαι (σώζειν) ἐκ θ., 2Co.1:10, Heb.5:7; περίλυπος ἕως θανάτου, Mat.26:38, Mrk.14:34; μέχρι (ἄχρι), Php.2:8, Rev.2:10; πληγὴ θανάτου, a deadly wound. Rev.13:3; ἰδεῖν θάνατον, Luk.2:26, Heb.11:5; γεύεσθαι θανάτου, Mrk.9:1; ἔνοχος θανάτου, Mrk.14:64; θανάτῳ τελευτᾶν ( Exo.21:17, מוּת יוּמָת), Mrk.7:10; death personified, Rom.6:9, 1Co.15:26, Rev.21:4; pl., of deadly perils, 2Co.11:23. __2. Of spiritual death: Jhn.5:24 8:51, Rom.7:10, Jas.1:15, 5:20, 1Jn.3:14 5:16, al.; of eternal death, Rom.1:32 7:5, al.; ὁ θ. ὁ δεύτερος, Rev.2:11 21:8 (cf. Cremer, 283ff.; DB, iii, 114ff.; DCG, i, 791f.). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 106 NT verses. KJV: X deadly, (be…) death See also: 1 Corinthians 3:22; Mark 7:10; Hebrews 2:9.

Study Notes — 1 Corinthians 15:26

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 2 Timothy 1:10 And now He has revealed this grace through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the gospel,
2 1 Corinthians 15:55 “Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?”
3 Revelation 21:4 ‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”
4 Revelation 20:14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire.
5 Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face and remove the disgrace of His people from the whole earth. For the LORD has spoken.
6 Hebrews 2:14 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,
7 Hosea 13:14 I will ransom them from the power of Sheol; I will redeem them from Death. Where, O Death, are your plagues? Where, O Sheol, is your sting? Compassion is hidden from My eyes.
8 Luke 20:36 In fact, they can no longer die, because they are like the angels. And since they are sons of the resurrection, they are sons of God.

1 Corinthians 15:26 Summary

[This verse means that one day, death will be completely gone, and we will live forever with God. This is because Jesus has already defeated death through His resurrection, and will one day abolish death when He returns to establish His eternal kingdom, as seen in 1 Corinthians 15:20-22. This gives us hope that we don't have to be afraid of death, because we know that it's not the end, but rather a transition to eternal life, as promised in John 11:25-26.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean that death is the last enemy to be destroyed?

This means that death, which is a result of sin, will be completely eliminated when God's plan of salvation is fully realized, as seen in 1 Corinthians 15:56, which says that the sting of death is sin, and in Revelation 21:4, which promises that there will be no more death or mourning.

How will death be destroyed?

Death will be destroyed through the power of Jesus Christ, who has already defeated death through His resurrection, as stated in 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, and will ultimately abolish death when He returns to establish His eternal kingdom.

What is the significance of death being the last enemy?

The fact that death is the last enemy to be destroyed highlights its significance as the ultimate consequence of sin, and the final victory of God over sin and its effects, as seen in Romans 6:23, which states that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.

How does this verse relate to our hope of eternal life?

This verse gives us hope that one day, death will be no more, and we will live eternally with God, free from the fear of death and the grave, as promised in John 11:25-26, where Jesus says that whoever believes in Him will never die.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways that death affects our lives, and how can we find hope in the face of death?
  2. How does the promise that death will be destroyed impact our perspective on suffering and hardship?
  3. What does it mean to live in light of the fact that death is not the end, but rather a transition to eternal life?
  4. How can we use this verse to comfort and encourage others who are facing death or grieving the loss of a loved one?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 15:26

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. Not eternal death; for though that is abolished by Christ with respect to his own people, who shall never be hurt by it, and over whom it shall have

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 15:26

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. Shall be - Greek (1 Corinthians 15:24), 'is being done away with' (Revelation 20:14; cf. Revelation 1:18).

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:26

If death be an enemy, (as we usually judge), that also must be destroyed; and there is no other way to destroy death, but by the causing of a resurrection from the dead. So that the apostle proveth the resurrection from the necessity of Christ’ s reigning until all his enemies be destroyed, of which death is one; for it keeps the bodies of the members of Christ from their union with their souls, and with Christ, who is the Head of the whole believer, the body as well as the soul.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:26

26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. Ver. 26. That shall be destroyed] It is already to the saints swallowed up in victory, so that they may say to it, as Jacob did to Esau, "Surely I have seen thy face as the face of God." This Esau, death, meets a member of Christ with kisses instead of frowns, and guards him home, as he did Jacob to his father’ s house.

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:26

(24-28) When he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father.—The Apostle carries on the thought of a triumph which the use of the word “troop” in the previous verse had commenced or suggested. There rises before the prophetic vision of St. Paul the final triumph of Christ over all evil, over all power, and the Son giving up to the Father (not His humanity, which is “for ever and ever”—Luke 1:32-33) the kingdom of this world, which in His humanity He conquered for the Father as well as for Himself. He will, the moment He becomes conqueror, sit down with the Father on His throne. Christ laying the spoils of a conquered world at the foot of the throne of the Father, shows, by that supreme act of self-sacrifice, that in His office as Redeemer He came, not to do His own will, but the will of the Father. In this sense the Son Himself, as Redeemer, is “put under Him”—God is all in all. We must clearly remember that the Apostle is here speaking of the Son as Redeemer, and is not penetrating into the deeper mysteries of the relation of the Persons in the Godhead. (See John 17:5; Hebrews 1:8.)

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:26

Verse 26. The last enemy] Death, shall be destroyed; καταργειται, shall be counter-worked, subverted, and finally overturned. But death cannot be destroyed by there being simply no farther death; death can only be destroyed and annihilated by a general resurrection; if there be no general resurrection, it is most evident that death will still retain his empire. Therefore, the fact that death shall be destroyed assures the fact that there shall be a general resurrection; and this is a proof, also, that after the resurrection there shall be no more death.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 15:26

26. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death] Cf. Revelation 20:14. Death shall be the last of all, because (Romans 6:23) it is the ‘wages of sin,’ and must continue to exist until sin has come to an end. Then what we know as death, the separation of soul and body, the dissolution of the complex nature of man into its constituent elements, shall henceforth cease to be.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 15:26

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death - The other foes of God should be subdued “before” the final resurrection. The enmity of the human heart should be subdued by the triumphs of the gospel.

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:26

26. The last enemy—Literally, the last enemy shall be abolished, death. The word for abolished is the same as we have so rendered in 1 Corinthians 15:24. This is annihilation of death by the universal resurrection.

Sermons on 1 Corinthians 15:26

SermonDescription
Keith Daniel Teach Us to Number Our Days Part 1 by Keith Daniel This sermon delves into the inevitability of death and the importance of being prepared for the afterlife. It emphasizes the brevity of life, the reality of facing judgment after d
Watchman Nee The Cross Destroying the Serpent by Watchman Nee Watchman Nee emphasizes the profound significance of the Cross in destroying the serpent, which symbolizes Satan and the power of death. He explains that through His death, Jesus n
Thomas Watson The Death of the Righteous by Thomas Watson Thomas Watson preaches about the death of the righteous, emphasizing that for believers, to live is Christ and to die is gain. He explains that at death, believers are freed from s
Edward Payson The Promised Fruit of Christ's Sufferings by Edward Payson Edward Payson preaches about the fulfillment of Jesus Christ's sacrifice, highlighting how he endured the cross and despised the shame for the joy set before him, which was to see
Martin Knapp The New Earth. -- (Rev. 21:1-8) by Martin Knapp Martin Knapp preaches about the vivid description of events following the final judgment, focusing on the promise of God to make all things new. The chapter describes the new earth
Daniel Steele Deliverance Deferred by Daniel Steele Daniel Steele preaches about the various ills that believers may face in this world, despite the promise of deliverance from sin's moral character. He discusses spiritual warfare,
John Gill A Sermon Occasioned by the Death of Mr. Aaron Spurrier, Baptist Minister. by John Gill John Gill reflects on the life and death of Mr. Aaron Spurrier, emphasizing the apostle Paul's desire to depart and be with Christ as a profound truth for believers. He highlights

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