So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
Then - not before. Death has as yet a sting even to the believer, in that his body is under its power until the resurrection. But then the sting and power of death shall cease forever.
Death is swallowed up in victory. Hebrew, Isaiah 25:8, 'He (Yahweh) will swallow up death in victory' - i:e., forever, in Hebrew idiom (Jeremiah 3:5). Christ will swallow it up so victoriously that it shall never regain its power (cf. Hosea 6:2; 2 Corinthians 5:4; Hebrews 2:14-15; Revelation 20:14; Revelation 21:4).