1 Corinthians 15:56

“The sting of death is sin, etc.] Death has a sting, and which was originally in it, and that is sin; sin is the cause of death, it is what has given rise and being to it; it entered into the world by it, and is supported in its empire through it; it gives it its resistless power, which reaches to all sorts of persons, young and old, rich and poor, high and low, bond and free; it gives it all its bitterness, agonies, and miseries; and it is by that it does all the hurt and mischief it does; and it may fitly be compared to a sting, for its poisonous and venomous nature: and the strength of sin is the law; not that the law of God is sinful, or encourages sin: it forbids it under the severest…”

“If there were no sin, there would be no death. Man's transgression of the law gives death its lawful power. strength of sin is the law--Without the law sin is not perceived or imputed (Rom 3:20; Rom 4:15; Rom 5:13). The law makes sin the more grievous by making God's will the clearer (Rom 7:8-10). Christ's people are no longer "under the law" (Rom 6:14).”

“The sting of death - The sting which death bears; that with which he effects his purpose; that which is made use of to inflict death; or that which is the cause of death. There would be no death without sin. The apostle here personifies death, as if it were a living being, and as making use of sin to inflict death, or as being the sting, or envenomed instrument, with which he inflicts the mortal agony. The idea is, that sin is the cause of death. It introduced it; it makes it certain; it is the cause of the pain, distress, agony, and horror which attends it. If there had been no sin, people would not have died. If there were no sin, death would not be attended with horror or alarm. For why…”

“The sting of death is sin - Without which it could have no power. But this sting none can resist by his own strength. And the strength of sin is the law - As is largely declared, Rom 7:7, &c. 1 Corinthians 15:57”

“sting: Gen 3:17-19; Psa 90:3-11; Pro 14:32; Joh 8:21, Joh 8:24; Rom 5:15, Rom 5:17, Rom 6:23; Heb 9:27 the strength: Rom 3:19, Rom 3:20, Rom 4:15, Rom 5:13, Rom 5:20, Rom 7:5-13; Gal 3:10-13 1 Corinthians 15:57”