NT Text: 1 Corinthians 15:54-55
OT Source(s):
Source: Beale & Carson (eds.), Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (2007); Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Reference Type: Direct Quotation
Connection Method(s): Promise-Fulfillment
Significance: Paul combines Isaiah 25:8 (God swallowing up death) with Hosea 13:14 (taunting death's defeat) to celebrate resurrection victory. Isaiah 25 describes the messianic banquet when God eliminates death and wipes away tears - Paul sees this fulfilled in Christ's resurrection and consummated at the general resurrection. Hosea 13:14 originally expressed God's judgment on Israel but contained hope of redemption from death. Paul transforms Hosea's questions into triumphant taunts: death no longer has power over believers. This hermeneutical move shows Paul reading OT eschatological hopes christologically: what Isaiah and Hosea anticipated finds fulfillment in Christ's resurrection. The composite quotation also demonstrates Paul's synthetic reading of Scripture, weaving multiple texts into unified testimony to resurrection hope.
NT Use Pattern: Assimilated — Composite: Isaiah 25:8 + Hosea 13:14. Paul fuses two death-defeat texts for the resurrection climax — "Death is swallowed up in victory… O death, where is your sting?"