John Calvin Commentary 1 Corinthians 15:57

"but thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." — 1 Corinthians 15:57 (ASV)

But thanks be to God. This explains why he mentioned both sin and the law when discussing death. Death has no sting with which to wound except sin, and the law gives this sting a deadly power. But Christ has conquered sin, and by conquering it has secured victory for us, and has redeemed us from the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13). Therefore, it follows that we are no longer under the power of death. Therefore, although we do not yet have a full realization of these benefits, we may already confidently glory in them, because it is necessary that what has been accomplished in the Head should also be accomplished in the members. We may, therefore, triumph over death as subdued, because Christ’s victory is ours.

When, therefore, he says that victory has been given to us, understand this to mean, in the first place, that Christ has in His own person abolished sin, satisfied the law, endured the curse, appeased the anger of God, and secured life. Furthermore, it means that He has already begun to make us share in all these benefits.

For though we still carry with us the remains of sin, it nevertheless does not reign in us; though it still stings us, it does not sting us fatally, because its edge is blunted so that it does not penetrate into the vitals of the soul. Though the law still threatens, yet on the other hand, the liberty that was secured for us by Christ is presented to us, which is an antidote to its terrors. Though the remains of sin still dwell in us, yet the Spirit who raised up Christ from the dead is life, because of righteousness (Romans 8:10). Now follows the conclusion.