A.T. Robertson Commentary 1 Corinthians 15:55

"O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?" — 1 Corinthians 15:55 (ASV)

Victory (νικος). Late form of νικη.

O death (θανατε). Second instance. Here Paul changes Hades of the LXX for Hebrew Sheol (Hosea 13:14) to death. Paul never uses Hades.

Thy sting (σου το κεντρον). Old word from κεντρεω, to prick, as in Ac 26:14. In Re 9:10 of the sting of locusts, scorpions. The serpent death has lost his poison fangs.