What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 15:26?

The last enemy

Paul connects this phrase to Christ’s present reign: “For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet” (1 Corinthians 15:25).

• “Last” points to order—after every lesser foe (sin, Satan, worldly powers) is subdued, one adversary still stands.

• Scripture shows death as an enemy from the moment sin entered (Genesis 2:17; Romans 5:12).

• Christ already disarmed the devil, “who holds the power of death” (Hebrews 2:14), yet permits physical death for now while gathering His people.

• Psalm 110:1, echoed in verse 25, assures that every enemy will ultimately lie under Jesus’ feet.

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to be destroyed

• “Destroyed” carries finality: nothing temporary, no cease-fire, but total removal. “Then the end will come, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after He has destroyed all dominion, authority, and power” (1 Corinthians 15:24).

• Christ’s resurrection announced that destruction; His return will complete it. “Our Savior Christ Jesus...abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10).

• Revelation 20:14 portrays the moment: “Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire.”

• Until that day, believers taste victory even in mourning—“to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).

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is death

• Paul does not spiritualize the threat; he names it. Death—physical separation of soul and body, the great interrupter of relationships—is the last foe.

• Because Jesus lives, He promises, “Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19).

• At the resurrection, “Death has been swallowed up in victory” and “O death, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:54-55; Isaiah 25:8).

• God’s new creation closes the book: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4).

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summary

The verse assures that death is not an eternal fixture but a defeated enemy awaiting execution. Christ’s resurrection guarantees its demise; His return will seal it. Until then, believers face death with confidence, knowing it will be the final foe to fall, and life with Christ will triumph forever.