And when this mortal hath put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory.
οταν δε το φθαρτον τουτο ενδυσηται αφθαρσιαν και το θνητον τουτο ενδυσηται αθανασιαν τοτε γενησεται ο λογος ο γεγραμμενος κατεποθη ο θανατος εις νικος
10 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 11 commentaries
Since he has spoken of great and ineffable realities, he again confirms his words by prophecy: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” That is, finally, so that no trace of it remains, nor any hope of its return, when corruption is swallowed up by incorruption.
When this comes to pass, then what was written by the prophet Hosea will be fulfilled (Hos 13:14). Since he has said something wondrous, he confirms the truth of his words by the testimony of Scripture. “In victory” (eis nikos, unto victory) means finally, so that death, once conquered, will be destroyed. No hope remains for it ever again to acquire power.
Is Christ not life? And yet Christ was crucified on the Cross. Is Christ not life? And yet Christ died.
But in the death of Christ, death died. For Life, by accepting death, trampled down death. The fullness of life swallowed up death. Death was dissolved in the body of Christ.
So also we shall say at the resurrection, when we sing in triumph: "O death, where is thy power? O death, where is thy sting?"
It seems that the Apostle Paul was pointing, as with a finger, to the flesh when he said: "This corruptible will put on incorruption." By saying "this," he seems to point to it with his finger.
For one can point with a finger to what is visible, but not to the soul, although one can say that it is corruptible, since through moral vices it subjects itself to dissolution.
Because of the necessary activity of this life, health should not be neglected until "this mortal puts on immortality." That is true, perfect, and endless health.
When it fails through earthly weakness, it is not restored by passing pleasure, but is strengthened by heavenly power and increased by eternal incorruption.
Where is death? Seek it in Christ, because it no longer exists. It was, but now death is dead. O Life, O Death of death!
Be kindly disposed, and death will die in you also. What happened in the Head will happen in the other members. In us too death will die.
But when? At the end of the age, at the resurrection of the dead, in which we believe and of which we do not doubt.
These words are given to those who rejoice, so that you may have something to ponder, something to sing in your heart, something to hope for with all your heart, and something to seek by faith and good works.
If heretics were able to understand this one truth, they would abandon their pride and be reconciled. They would not honor God anywhere except in the Church.
Man by nature fears death and bodily dissolution. But the truly wondrous thing is that, having put on faith in the Cross, he despises what is natural to him and does not fear death for Christ.
When this mortal and corruptible puts on immortality and incorruption, then the word written concerning this will be fulfilled: death is swallowed up in the victory of the resurrection (Is 25:8).
Because the divine Apostle beholds the very fulfillment, he sees both the Master’s victory and the resurrection of the dead. As though singing a triumph over the enemies, he uttered this prophetic song (Is 25:8; Hos 13:14).
“Death is swallowed up in victory.” This passage is cited freely from Isaiah (Is 25:8). There it is foretold that death will be swallowed up forever. Here the Apostle indicates that, because of Christ’s victory over death, its swallowing up has already been, as it were, accomplished. Transported in exultation to the future state of the risen, he cries out in the words of the prophet Hosea: “O death, where is your sting?” (Hos 13:14).
The Apostle concludes the chapter with Isaiah's prophetic words that one day "death will be swallowed up in victory," that is, it will be conquered utterly.
He also uses the words of the prophet Hosea, that the sting will be torn from death and Hades will be deprived of its victory.
After thanking God for the victory over death and sin granted to us through the Lord Jesus Christ, the Apostle turns to the Corinthians with this instruction.
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable," that is, in faith and Christian life. "Always abound in the work of the Lord," that is, in the work of salvation.
"Know that your labor is not in vain before the Lord," for there is a resurrection of the dead and there is a future life.
The first fruit of the future transformation of bodies will be the destruction of death. The second will be victory over Hades and the devil.
Together with this, the power of sin will be destroyed, as will all those instruments or means used to arouse or restrain it.
Such were, for example, the law of conscience and the revealed law, which now pierces to the division of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and judges the thoughts of the heart (Heb 4:12).
Then the righteous will shine like the sun, while sinners will be kept in torments (Mt 13:43). Therefore one law alone will then reign, the law of God's righteousness.
The prophet Daniel foretold this, saying: everlasting righteousness will be brought in (Dan 9:24).
Perhaps the Apostle added the thought about the law partly in order to overthrow the fabulous sayings of the Jews about the eternity of the law, which later entered the Talmud and other Hebrew books.
Victory over sin, death, and the devil will be fully accomplished at the end of time. Yet it has already begun through our Savior.
It is accomplished in us according to our progress in the holiness of life granted to us through Jesus Christ.
Therefore we must always offer thanksgiving for it to God and Christ the Savior. We must live as befits the beloved children of God.
We should boldly repel all hostile snares and uprisings, such as the various opinions of unbelievers and those in error. We must also progress in the struggles commanded by the Lord.
We know how great a reward has been prepared for us by the Lord in the glorious life to come. May God make us all worthy of it by His grace.
When corruption has thus been driven out from all regions of being, and immortal life reigns everywhere, then all will be filled with the joy of life.
Freed from the bonds of corruption, those who until then were held by the fear of death will breathe freely, as it were, and say: glory to God! Death has been swallowed up utterly.
These words are taken from Isa 25:8, where he promises the Jews complete victory over their enemies and such peaceful life that their adversaries will no longer destroy them at will.
The Apostle applies this to the radiant state after the resurrection. The meaning of his words, "then shall come to pass the saying that is written," is this: then it will be possible to say with the word of Scripture, "Death is swallowed up in victory."
"In victory" means that death will be conquered and struck down so completely that it will never rise again. This is the same as saying, utterly; death shall be no more.
Saint Chrysostom says: "In victory," that is, definitively, so that no traces of it remain and no hope of return, when corruption is swallowed up by incorruption.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 24 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS