1 Corinthians 15:32

If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.

If {G1487} after the manner {G2596} of men {G444} I have fought with beasts {G2341} at {G1722} Ephesus {G2181}, what {G5101} advantageth it {G3786} me {G3427}, if {G1487} the dead {G3498} rise {G1453} not {G3756}? let us eat {G5315} and {G2532} drink {G4095}; for {G1063} to morrow {G839} we die {G599}.

If my fighting with “wild beasts” in Ephesus was done merely on a human basis, what do I gain by it? If dead people are not raised, we might as well live by the saying, “Let’s eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”

If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for human motives, what did I gain? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”

If after the manner of men I fought with beasts at Ephesus, what doth it profit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die.

Commentary

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:32

In 1 Corinthians 15:32, the Apostle Paul continues his robust defense of the bodily resurrection of believers, which was being denied by some within the Corinthian church. This verse powerfully illustrates the logical implications of denying this foundational Christian truth, contrasting a life of faith and sacrifice with a hedonistic worldview.

Context

This verse is situated within the longest chapter of Paul's letters, 1 Corinthians 15, often called the "Resurrection Chapter." Paul systematically argues for the reality of Christ's resurrection as the cornerstone of the Christian faith, and then extends that truth to the future resurrection of believers. He asserts that if Christ did not rise, then Christian preaching is useless, faith is futile, and believers are still in their sins (1 Corinthians 15:14, 1 Corinthians 15:17). In our focal verse, Paul presents a hypothetical scenario, drawing on his own experiences of suffering for the Gospel, to underscore the absolute necessity of the resurrection.

Key Themes

  • The Necessity of Resurrection: Paul's primary argument is that without the resurrection, all Christian suffering and sacrifice are meaningless. His arduous missionary work, including profound dangers and persecutions, would be without purpose if there were no eternal reward or future life. The resurrection provides the ultimate hope and justification for enduring hardship for Christ's sake.
  • Purpose in Suffering: The verse highlights the profound difference between suffering with eternal hope and suffering in vain. For Paul, his "fighting with beasts" was purposeful because he believed in a future resurrection and eternal life. This perspective gives meaning to the struggles faced by believers throughout history.
  • Hedonism vs. Christian Hope: The phrase "let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die" is a direct contrast to Christian hope. This sentiment, found in Isaiah 22:13 and common among Epicurean philosophers of Paul's day, represents a nihilistic worldview where immediate gratification is the only logical pursuit if death is the ultimate end. Paul argues that denying the resurrection logically leads to such a despairing and self-indulgent philosophy.

Linguistic Insights and Cultural Context

The phrase "If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus" is debated among scholars. The Greek word for "fought with beasts" (theriomacheo) could literally mean fighting wild animals, as in a gladiatorial arena. However, it's highly unlikely Paul, a Roman citizen, would have been subjected to such a public spectacle. More commonly, scholars interpret this as a metaphor for the intense, brutal, and life-threatening opposition Paul faced from hostile human adversaries in Ephesus. Ephesus was a major city known for its idolatry, particularly the worship of Artemis, and Paul faced significant riots and opposition there (as described in Acts 19:23-41). This "beastly" opposition was a vivid illustration of the dangers he willingly faced for the Gospel.

Practical Application

This verse challenges believers to consider the bedrock of their faith. If we truly believe in the resurrection and eternal life, how does that conviction shape our daily choices, our priorities, and our willingness to endure hardship for the sake of Christ and His kingdom? It reminds us that:

  • Our Hope is Real: The resurrection provides a tangible, future hope that makes present difficulties bearable and meaningful. Without it, striving for righteousness or enduring persecution would indeed be foolish.
  • Life Has Eternal Significance: Our actions, sacrifices, and faithfulness in this life have eternal consequences. We are not living merely for the present moment, but for an eternity with God. This counters the "eat, drink, and be merry" mentality that pervades many cultures today.
  • Suffering is Not in Vain: For those who face opposition or hardship for their faith, this verse offers immense encouragement. Any suffering endured for Christ is not wasted; it is part of a greater purpose, leading to future glory (Romans 8:18).

Paul's rhetorical question in 1 Corinthians 15:32 demands a clear answer: the resurrection of the dead is absolutely essential for Christian faith, hope, and purpose.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 22:13

    And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.

  • Luke 12:19

    And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, [and] be merry.

  • Isaiah 56:12

    Come ye, [say they], I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, [and] much more abundant.

  • 2 Peter 2:12

    But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

  • Acts 18:19

    And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.

  • Romans 6:19

    I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

  • Jude 1:10

    But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
← Back