Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Corinthians 15:26

"The last enemy that shall be abolished is death." — 1 Corinthians 15:26 (ASV)

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. The other foes of God will be subdued before the final resurrection. The enmity of the human heart will be subdued by the triumphs of the gospel. The scepter of Satan will be broken and wrested from him. The false systems of religion that had tyrannized over men will be destroyed. The gospel will have spread everywhere, and the world will be converted to God. And nothing will remain but to subdue or destroy death, and that will be by the resurrection. This will be for two reasons:

1. because the resurrection will be a triumph over death, showing that there is one of greater power, and that the scepter will be wrested from the hands of death.

2. because death will cease to reign. No more will ever die. All who will be raised up will live forever; and the effects of sin and rebellion in this world will be thus forever ended, and the kingdom of God restored. Death is here personified as a tyrant, exercising despotic power over the human race; and he is to be subdued.