The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
1 Corinthians 15:26
As with all chiastic structures found in Scripture, the main point being conveyed by the author is the central verse of the chiasm. In the case of this chiasm, the central verse is 1 Corinthians 15:26. Paul’s main point being communicated here is that death, our last enemy, will be destroyed.
Let’s take a look at the chiastic structure.
12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
Verses 12 and 35
These speak to the problem that resurrection was being taught against. Paul and others had already preached the resurrection of Yeshua to this group, but the teaching was being abandoned by some.
Verses 17 and 34
Without the resurrection of Yeshua we are dead in our sins. Yeshua’s resurrection is the hope we have of abandoning our sinful desires to remarry the Lamb of God.
Verses 18-19 and 32-33
If our only hope in Christ is for our current life, then there really is no hope. We may as well do what we desire for tomorrow we die.
Verses 20-23 and 29
The comparison of being baptized for the dead is aligned with us all dying by Adam, and then contrasted with being made alive in Christ.
Verses 24 and 28
In the end, Yeshua will deliver all things back to God. Even Christ Himself will be subject to God.
Verses 25 and 27
All things will be under His feet.
Verse 26
This is the main point being shared by Apostle Paul. The resurrection has already been preached, so rather than making that the main point, Paul focuses on the destruction of our final enemy, death. Without Yeshua, this enemy is victorious. No one can beat death except the Son of God, Yeshua.
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