Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Corinthians 15:56

"The sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law:" — 1 Corinthians 15:56 (ASV)

The sting of death. The sting which death bears; that with which he effects his purpose; that which is used to inflict death; or that which is the cause of death. There would be no death without sin. The apostle here personifies death, as if it were a living being, either using sin to inflict death, or as itself being the sting, or envenomed instrument, with which he inflicts the mortal agony.

The idea is that sin is the cause of death. Sin introduced death, makes it certain, and is the cause of the pain, distress, agony, and horror that accompanies it. If there had been no sin, people would not have died. If there were no sin, death would not be accompanied by horror or alarm.

For why should innocence be afraid to die? What does innocence have to fear anywhere in the universe of a just God? Therefore, the fact that people die is proof that they are sinners. The fact that they feel horror and alarm is proof that they feel themselves to be guilty and are afraid to go into the presence of a holy God. If this is taken away—if sin is removed—then, of course, the horror, remorse, and alarm which sin is apt to produce will also be removed.

Is sin. Sin is the cause of it. (See notes on Romans 5:12).

The strength of sin. This refers to its power over the mind, its terrifying and dreadful energy, and especially its power to produce alarm in the hour of death.

Is the law. The pure and holy law of God. Paul illustrated this idea at length in Romans 7:9-13. (See notes on Romans 7:9 and Romans 7:10-13). He probably made this statement here to address the Jews and to show that the law of God had no power to take away the fear of death. Therefore, there was a need for the gospel, and this alone could accomplish it.

The Jews maintained that a person could be justified and saved by obedience to the law. Paul here shows that it is the law that gives sin its chief rigour and that the law does not tend to subdue or destroy sin. This power of sin, intensified by the law, is seen most strikingly in the pangs and horrors of a guilty conscience on the deathbed.

Therefore, there was a need for the gospel, which alone could remove the cause of these horrors by taking away sin, thus leaving the pardoned person to die in peace. (See notes on Romans 4:15).