1 Corinthians 15:31

I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

I protest by {G3513} your {G5212} rejoicing {G2251}{G2746} which {G3739} I have {G2192} in {G1722} Christ {G5547} Jesus {G2424} our {G2257} Lord {G2962}, I die {G599} daily {G2596}{G2250}.

Brothers, by the right to be proud which the Messiah Yeshua our Lord gives me, I solemnly tell you that I die every day.

I face death every day, brothers, as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I protest by that glorying in you, brethren, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

1 Corinthians 15:31 is a profound declaration by the Apostle Paul, situated within his extensive and crucial argument for the resurrection of the dead in 1 Corinthians chapter 15. This verse encapsulates the radical commitment and daily sacrifice that defined Paul's life as a follower of Christ.

Context

In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul addresses doubts and false teachings among the Corinthian believers regarding the resurrection. He systematically lays out the evidence for Christ's resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-4), which serves as the foundational hope for the future resurrection of all believers (1 Corinthians 15:20). Paul argues that if there is no resurrection, then his immense suffering and constant peril for the Gospel would be utterly meaningless. His willingness to endure such a life serves as a powerful testament to his unwavering conviction in the truth of the resurrection.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Apostolic Suffering and Authenticity: Paul's declaration, "I protest by your rejoicing... I die daily," is an emphatic oath. He appeals to the spiritual joy and transformation he witnessed in the Corinthian believers as evidence of the reality of his ministry and the power of the Gospel. His daily suffering was not for personal gain but as a consequence of faithfully proclaiming Christ.
  • The Reality of "Dying Daily": This phrase is a powerful metaphor, not a literal physical death each day. It signifies:
    • Constant Peril and Hardship: Paul faced continuous threats, persecutions, and severe trials for the sake of the Gospel (see 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 for a list of his afflictions). His life was one of perpetual risk.
    • Self-Denial and Mortification of the Flesh: It represents a daily submission of one's own will, desires, and worldly ambitions to the will of Christ. It's a spiritual dying to self, embracing a life where Christ's agenda supersedes personal comfort or safety (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:5).
    • Embracing the Cross: This concept aligns with Jesus' call to take up one's cross daily and follow Him, signifying a willingness to suffer for Christ's sake.
  • Motivation by Resurrection Hope: The core message is that Paul's willingness to "die daily" is directly linked to his firm belief in the resurrection. If there were no resurrection, his life of sacrifice would be illogical and pointless. The future hope of eternal life and resurrection power fuels his present endurance.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "I protest by your rejoicing" uses "protest" in an older sense, meaning to affirm or declare solemnly, akin to swearing an oath. The Greek word for "protest" here, nē (νὴ), is an emphatic particle, often translated as "indeed" or "by." The phrase "I die daily" comes from the Greek kath' hēmeran apothnēskō (καθ' ἡμέραν ἀποθνῄσκω), which literally means "daily I die." The present tense of the verb emphasizes a continuous, ongoing action, highlighting the relentless nature of Paul's spiritual and physical struggles.

Practical Application

For believers today, "dying daily" means cultivating a lifestyle of self-denial and spiritual discipline. It involves:

  • Prioritizing God's will over personal desires.
  • Being willing to endure hardship or discomfort for the sake of the Gospel.
  • Constantly putting off the old self and putting on the new, Christ-like nature.
  • Living with a profound hope in the resurrection, allowing it to shape our earthly priorities and commitments.

Paul's declaration challenges us to consider the authenticity of our faith and the depth of our commitment to Christ, especially when faced with opposition or the need for personal sacrifice. Our belief in the resurrection provides the ultimate motivation for living a life fully devoted to God, even if it means "dying daily" to ourselves.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:10

    Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:11

    For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

  • Romans 8:36

    As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:9

    For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:13

    Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, [and are] the offscouring of all things unto this day.

  • Philippians 3:3

    For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:9

    For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
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