Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Corinthians 15:51-58

"Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? The sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law: but thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord." — 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 (ASV)

Not all saints will die, but all will be changed. In the gospel, many truths, previously hidden in mystery, are made known. Death will never appear in the regions to which our Lord will bring His risen saints. Therefore, let us seek the full assurance of faith and hope, so that in the midst of pain and in the prospect of death, we may think calmly about the horrors of the tomb, assured that our bodies will sleep there, and in the meantime, our souls will be present with the Redeemer.

Sin gives death all its harmful power. The sting of death is sin; but Christ, by dying, has removed this sting. He has made atonement for sin; He has obtained its remission. The strength of sin is the law. No one can answer its demands, endure its curse, or abolish his own transgressions. From this comes terror and anguish.

And so, death is terrible to the unbelieving and the impenitent. Death may seize a believer, but it cannot hold him in its power. How many springs of joy to the saints, and of thanksgiving to God, are opened by the death and resurrection, the sufferings and conquests of the Redeemer! In 1 Corinthians 15:58, we find an exhortation that believers should be steadfast, firm in the faith of the gospel that the apostle preached and they received.

Also, that they should be unmovable in their hope and expectation of this great privilege of being raised incorruptible and immortal. And that they should abound in the work of the Lord, always doing the Lord's service, and obeying His commands. May Christ give us faith and increase our faith, so that we may not only be safe, but also joyful and triumphant.