15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Verse 15 gives another positive outcome of the incarnation—liberation. The defeat of the devil means liberty of those in his bondage.
15 and release those who through [because of] fear of death
The fear of death is the greatest fear people have. Jesus released people from this fear. The devil no longer has a grip on believers.
were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
To be in bondage is to live not as one chooses. The word “subject” comes from two Greek words: in and to hold. Fear of death held some people in bondage. Liberty is to live as one chooses. Christ gave us that liberty (Ga 5:1).
PRINCIPLE:
Death apart from Christ is a horror.
APPLICATION:
There is no experience like the fear of death. We have all thought about our personal death. The Christian knows that there is something on the other side of death, a glorious heaven ahead and fellowship with our Lord. Nothing can separate the believer from the promises of God (Ro 8:38-39).
Those redeemed are no longer under slavery to Satan. They can face death with the same confidence that Jesus had. Christians do not fear death any longer because of Christ’s victory over death (1 Co 15:21-22). There is a corporate solidarity between Christ and believers.
Death for the believer is an advance in life, eternal life (Php 1:21). Thus, the fear of death no longer enslaves the believer because Jesus killed death.
