Surely this cannot include the power that destroys -- it is foreign to the

thought.  Destruction or subjection is the idea of 1 Corinthians 15.

While this chapter is mainly concerned with the human phase of the

great purpose of God, as expressed in the words `in Adam', nevertheless the

reference to `all rule and all authority and power' goes beyond the sphere of

Adam.  Before the Son delivers up the kingdom, all rule, authority and power

will be abolished (arche, exousia, dunamis).  These are the principalities

and powers of Colossians 1:16 and Ephesians 1:21.  They are linked with death

in the closing verses of Romans 8, over which the believer is more than

conqueror.  Ephesians 6 reveals that the church of the One Body has

principalities and powers among its spiritual enemies, and Colossians 1:16-20

shows that some principalities and powers will be reconciled.  Once again we

are forced to see that the reign of

Christ before `the end' is reached, will be a process of discrimination.

Some will be `destroyed', others will be `reconciled', and when all enemies

have been abolished and all the redeemed and unfallen brought into perfect

line with the great Archetype of all (subjection carries with it the idea of

perfect order and harmony), then `the end' is reached and God will be all in

There is a tendency on the part of some expositors to wander outside

the passage and introduce subjects which are quite foreign to the intention

of the apostle.  This is so with regard to the word `death'.  What `death' is

intended in verse 26?  The subject is introduced in verse 21 definitely and

exclusively.  There can be no doubt as to what is intended:

`By man came death ... as in Adam all die' (1 Cor. 15:21,22).

is swallowed up in victory' (15:54).

Its sting is removed (verse 55), which sting is sin (verse 56).  Death, here,

refers to that which came into the world, as a consequence of Adam's

By comparing the two balancing portions of this chapter together, we

shall get further and fuller light upon the whole subject.  The two portions

are balanced in the structure (p. 69):

Adam and Christ

Death destroyed

The first and last Adam

Death swallowed up

The differences of every one's `order' are amplified (15:23 with

The nature and relation of Adam is explained (15:21,22,28 with

The nature and relation of Christ is explained (15:20-22,28 with

The meaning of the destruction of death is given (15:26 with

The time periods are illuminated (15:24 with 15:54).

These amplifications by the apostle of his own words are worth more

than libraries of other men's thoughts, and give us inspired explanations,

which to see, is to come under an obligation to accept and hold against all

theories.  Let us briefly notice these Divine amplifications in the order in

which they occur.