Why is the law described as giving power to sin in 1 Corinthians 15:56? Passage Under Consideration “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.” (1 Corinthians 15:56) Immediate Literary Context: Resurrection and Victory Paul’s discourse in 1 Corinthians 15 defends the historical, bodily resurrection of Jesus and its implications for believers. Verses 54-57 climax with a citation of Isaiah 25:8 and Hosea 13:14, declaring death “swallowed up in victory.” The threefold chain is clear: (1) Death threatens; (2) Sin supplies death’s “sting”; (3) The law energizes sin. By v. 57 Paul exults, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” , indicating that Christ’s resurrection breaks all three links. The Law in Biblical Theology 1. Holy, Righteous, Good — “So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.” (Romans 7:12) 2. Yet Limited — It defines righteousness but cannot impart it (Galatians 3:21). 3. Covenant Context — Given at Sinai after redemption from Egypt (Exodus 20:2), the law presupposes fallen hearts (Deuteronomy 29:4). How the Law Grants Sin Supremacy 1. Revelation of Sin • “Through the law comes awareness of sin.” (Romans 3:20) The statute book functions as a mirror. What was latent rebellion becomes explicit trespass. 2. Provocation of Sin • “But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire.” (Romans 7:8) Fallen nature reacts against prohibition. The very ‘Thou shalt not’ evokes the contrary impulse. 3. Condemnation of Sin • “All who rely on works of the law are under a curse.” (Galatians 3:10) quoting Deuteronomy 27:26. Once exposed, guilt incurs the covenant curses—ultimately death (Genesis 2:17; Deuteronomy 30:15-18). The law supplies the courtroom evidence and pronounces sentence, handing the execution order to death. Parallel Pauline Passages • Romans 5:20 — “The law was added so that the trespass might increase.” • Romans 7:5 — “The sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies.” • 2 Corinthians 3:6-9 — The “ministry of death, carved in letters on stone… brings condemnation.” Historical Backdrop: Sinai to Exile Israel’s narrative illustrates the principle. From the Golden Calf (Exodus 32) to Babylonian captivity (2 Chronicles 36:15-21), the nation’s breaches activated the sanctions spelled out in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28. The law’s covenantal terms empowered sin to deliver temporal and, apart from atonement, eternal judgment. Christ’s Fulfillment and the Disarming of Sin • Perfect Obedience — “He committed no sin” (1 Peter 2:22). • Substitutionary Curse — “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.” (Galatians 3:13) • Resurrection Vindication — The empty tomb (attested by 1 Corinthians 15:3-7 creed dated within five years of the event and corroborated by multiple independent resurrection appearances) proves the curse exhausted. By rising, Jesus nullifies death’s legal claim: “having canceled the record of debt… He has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:14) Practical Implications for Believers 1. Freedom from Condemnation — “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) 2. New Enabling Power — The indwelling Spirit writes the law on hearts (Jeremiah 31:33; Romans 8:4). 3. Motivation for Holiness — Gratitude, not fear of curse, fuels obedience (Titus 2:11-14). Conclusion The law gives sin “power” by exposing, provoking, and condemning human rebellion, thereby authorizing death to reign. Christ’s sinless life, atoning death, and triumphant resurrection strip sin of that authority. Trusting Him transfers the believer from the jurisdiction of law-empowered sin to the freedom of grace, fulfilling the divine purpose that we “might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) |
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