Isaiah 25:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

As a result, sorrow has been transformed into joy, the veil was torn, and we are clothed in divine joy, proclaiming, “Where is your sting, O Death? Where is your victory, O Hell?” (1 Cor. 15:55). The apostle explains that the sting of death is sin, and thus all tears have been wiped away. Because we believe that Christ will indeed resurrect the dead, we are not overwhelmed by grief; we do not descend into unrestrained sorrow like those who lack hope (1 Thess. 4:13). The prophet hints at death being the disgrace of humanity, originating from sin and crime, which introduced corruption into the world, allowing the harsh power of death to dominate the earth. Given that the mystery of resurrection is hard for many to accept, it is understandable that numerous people struggle to believe in it because of its extraordinary nature. The blessed prophet declared that these truths were spoken by the mouth of the Lord. Who can claim that God would lie or fail to fulfill His promises? As He stated, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away” (Matthew 24:35).

‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, and goodwill toward men’ (Luke 2:14). How can we not be filled with profound joy upon witnessing the Savior of the world and Redeemer born of the Virgin? And how can I, a penitent sinner, celebrate the feast that honors the Savior of all creation? Therefore, along with us, a multitude of holy spirits collectively praises Him. What is the reason for this celebration? It is the Incarnation of the Only Begotten Son, His birth in the flesh, and the unveiling within us of ultimate meekness and unparalleled humanity, as the blessed prophet Isaiah proclaimed: “Death shall be swallowed up forever” (Isaiah 25:8), and also, “the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces” (Isaiah 25:8). In a true sense, He has removed tears from every face by rendering the ancient curse powerless, abolishing the unbearable dominion of death, as the wise Paul teaches: “Inasmuch as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself similarly shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:14-15).

Since the Holy Virgin gave birth to God in the flesh, united with that flesh in one person, we rightly call her the Mother of God. This does not imply that the nature of the Word originated from flesh (for in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1), and He is the creator of all ages, coeternal with the Father and the maker of all things), but rather that the Word, as previously stated, took human nature into a personal union and was born from her womb. This was not intended for His own nature’s sake, as He did not require a temporal birth in the fullness of time, but rather to sanctify the very beginning of existence. Through His incarnation, the curse imposed upon the entire human race, which condemned our physical bodies to death, was nullified, allowing the abolition of the decree: “In pain you shall bring forth children” (Genesis 3:16). Thus, the prophet was justified in declaring, “Death shall be swallowed up forever, and the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces and take away the reproach of His people from the earth; for the Lord has spoken.”

To clarify that this applies in the present moment, he explicitly states "now." He urges that one should not anticipate that this very struggle against lust, which one combats and attempts to control, will cease in the future. If our struggle with the weaknesses of the mortal body were also to continue indefinitely, then the proclamation, "Death, where is your sting?" would hold no truth. Therefore, we understand that a future reality exists, as it will be the time when the scripture is fulfilled: "Swallowed up in victory." Death, where is your sting? Hell, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law (1 Cor. 15:55-56). This is said because desire arises from what is prohibited and cannot be eradicated by it. The law empowers sin; it merely provides commands in written form, without offering support through the Spirit.

He notes that presently, the pangs of death surround me (Psalms 114:3), yet in the future, God will free my soul from death. In this life, my eyes are filled with tears of grief, while in the next, there will be no tears to mar the sight of those who delight in the splendor of God's glory. The Lord God will indeed wipe away tears from all faces.

Death, where is your strength? Death, where is your sting? The Apostle further elucidated this assertion by stating: "But the sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law. Thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" (1 Corinthians 15:56-57). Therefore, the interpretation regarding the Lord's resurrection that he provided cannot be altered or misinterpreted. Additionally, we may view death and hell as representative of the devil, who was defeated through Christ’s death. Isaiah affirms: "Death will be swallowed up forever," and afterward, "the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces." The two brothers who were separated by death are understood by some, in light of historical context, as Israel and Judah, suggesting that what was once only partially realized is now fully grasped: that Israel and Judah, along with all humanity, will experience deliverance and redemption together.

As David states, "And the Lord shall crush the cedars of Lebanon, and shall crush them like the bullock of Lebanon" (Psalms 28:5-6). Therefore, the people devoured all deceit and hubris, so they would not succumb to wickedness and pride. For it is preferable for each individual to govern their own flesh and its temptations, rather than having it said of them that they were overtaken by a formidable death; instead, it should be declared that they were "swallowed up by death with victory" (1 Cor. 15:54).

There will be a moment when the challenges of earthly existence will come to an end; when humanity, liberated from the foes of salvation and from death itself, will experience blessedness in spirit and body; when the Lord will eliminate every tear from every eye; when He will redeem His people from the shame of all nations—when all those who have faced suffering, slander, and scorn from their faith's adversaries will rejoice and be filled with gladness. It is evident that the prophet, in envisioning this future condition for humanity, anticipates the kingdom of glory that will be revealed at Christ's second coming. This kingdom of glory is also referenced by the Apostle Paul when he cites the prophet’s words, “Death was swallowed up in victory,” as well as by the Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, who recounts the vision of a new heaven and a new earth. He heard a great voice from heaven proclaiming that the Lord would wipe away all tears from their eyes, signifying no more death, mourning, crying, or pain, for the former things had passed away (Rev. 21:1, Rev. 21:3, 4). John reiterates the prophecy in question, and it is assured that this prophecy will undoubtedly come to pass, for the Lord has proclaimed it.