1 Corinthians 3:22

KJV

Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

KJV (with Strong's)

Whether {G1535} Paul {G3972}, or {G1535} Apollos {G625}, or {G1535} Cephas {G2786}, or {G1535} the world {G2889}, or {G1535} life {G2222}, or {G1535} death {G2288}, or {G1535} things present {G1764}, or {G1535} things to come {G3195}; all {G3956} are {G2076} yours {G5216};

Complete Jewish Bible

whether Sha’ul or Apollos or Kefa or the world or life or death or the present or the future: they all belong to you,

Berean Standard Bible

whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future. All of them belong to you,

American Standard Version

whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 3:22, the Apostle Paul delivers a profound declaration of the believer's expansive spiritual inheritance in Christ. This verse serves as a powerful summary of his preceding arguments against division and human-centered pride within the Corinthian church, redirecting their focus from allegiance to mere human leaders to God's ultimate and comprehensive provision for His people. It reveals the astonishing scope of the believer's possession, encompassing not only spiritual ministries but also the entirety of creation, life, death, and all temporal realities, past, present, and future.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Paul's broader address to the Corinthian church concerning their divisive factions and spiritual immaturity, spanning [1 Corinthians 1:10](/1_corinthians/1-10 "1 Corinthians 1:10 - Call for Unity") through [1 Corinthians 4:21](/1_corinthians/4-21 "1 Corinthians 4:21 - Paul's Authority and Discipline"). Specifically, [1 Corinthians 3:1-23](/1_corinthians/3 "1 Corinthians 3 - Paul Addresses Divisions and Immaturity") directly confronts their carnal behavior of aligning themselves with different spiritual leaders (Paul, Apollos, Cephas) rather than uniting under Christ. Paul has just declared in [1 Corinthians 3:21](/1_corinthians/3-21 "1 Corinthians 3:21 - No Boasting in Men"), "Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours." Verse 22 then meticulously elaborates on the breathtaking scope of "all things," challenging their narrow, human-centric perspective by unveiling the true, boundless wealth of their position in Christ, culminating in the foundational truth of [1 Corinthians 3:23](/1_corinthians/3-23 "1 Corinthians 3:23 - You Belong to Christ").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan port city, known for its wealth, diverse population, and prevalent philosophical schools and cults. This environment fostered a culture of intellectual pride and competition, which unfortunately permeated the early Christian community there. Converts, accustomed to following prominent rhetoricians or philosophers, began to form cliques around their favorite apostles or teachers, such as Paul, Apollos, or Peter (Cephas). This factionalism led to jealousy, strife, and a distorted understanding of spiritual leadership, viewing leaders as masters to be followed rather than servants of Christ and the church. Paul's letter seeks to dismantle this worldly mindset, reminding them that true wisdom is found in Christ crucified ([1 Corinthians 1:18-25](/1_corinthians/1-18-25 "1 Corinthians 1:18-25 - The Wisdom of God")), and that all believers are part of one spiritual building, with Christ as the sole foundation ([1 Corinthians 3:10-11](/1_corinthians/3-10-11 "1 Corinthians 3:10-11 - Christ the Only Foundation")).

* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several major themes throughout the book of 1 Corinthians. Foremost is the theme of **Christian Unity and the Folly of Division**, as Paul directly confronts the factionalism by showing that all leaders are merely instruments for the church's benefit, rather than objects of allegiance. This ties into the theme of **Spiritual Maturity vs. Carnality**, as the Corinthians' divisions demonstrated their spiritual infancy ([1 Corinthians 3:1-3](/1_corinthians/3-1-3 "1 Corinthians 3:1-3 - Spiritual Immaturity")). Furthermore, the verse profoundly develops the theme of **The Believer's Identity and Inheritance in Christ**. By declaring "all are yours," Paul highlights the immense spiritual wealth and privilege that comes with being united to Christ, contrasting it with their petty squabbles over human allegiances. This inheritance includes not just spiritual gifts and ministries ([1 Corinthians 12:4-11](/1_corinthians/12-4-11 "1 Corinthians 12:4-11 - Diversity of Gifts")), but the entirety of existence, underscoring God's ultimate sovereignty and provision for His children. The ultimate reason for this vast inheritance is revealed in [1 Corinthians 3:23](/1_corinthians/3-23 "1 Corinthians 3:23 - You are Christ's"), establishing the foundational truth that believers belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **all (Greek, _pâs'_):** From G3956, this word is comprehensive and emphatic, meaning "all, any, every, the whole." Its use here signifies a totality without exclusion, emphasizing the boundless nature of God's provision and the believer's rich position. It underscores that literally everything, from human leaders to cosmic realities, is included in this divine inheritance.
* **are (Greek, _estí'_):** From G2076, this is the third person singular present indicative of "to be," but here used with a neuter plural subject ("all things"), indicating "they are." It denotes a present, established reality. The things listed are not merely *potential* possessions but *actual*, current realities for the believer, emphasizing their secure and present ownership in Christ.
* **yours (Greek, _hymōn'_):** From G5216, this is the genitive case of the second person plural pronoun, meaning "of (from or concerning) you." It clearly indicates possession and benefit. The emphasis is on the Corinthian believers (and by extension, all believers) as the beneficiaries of this vast inheritance, redirecting their focus from who *they* belong to (Paul, Apollos) to what *belongs to them* through Christ.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas":** This clause directly addresses the Corinthian church's problem of factionalism. Paul lists the prominent leaders they were dividing themselves over, emphasizing that these respected apostles and teachers are not ultimate authorities or objects of allegiance, but rather servants of God and instruments for the benefit of the believers. Their ministries, gifts, and teachings are all given *for* the church, not for the church to be divided *by* them.
* **"or the world, or life, or death":** Paul expands the scope of the believer's inheritance beyond human instruments to encompass cosmic and existential realities. "The world" (Greek, _kósmos_) refers to the orderly arrangement of creation, implying that the entire created order, its resources, and its systems, are ultimately under God's sovereignty and work for the believer's good. "Life" signifies the entire experience of existence, with all its joys and challenges. "Death" represents the ultimate human fear and boundary, yet even this profound reality is brought within the believer's sphere of possession, stripped of its ultimate power to harm those in Christ.
* **"or things present, or things to come":** This further broadens the temporal scope of the inheritance. "Things present" (Greek, _enístēmi_) refers to all current circumstances, events, and realities that believers encounter in their daily lives. "Things to come" (Greek, _méllō_) encompasses all future events, uncertainties, and eternities. This comprehensive temporal inclusion assures believers that God's sovereign plan and provision extend over every moment of their existence, both now and forever.
* **"all are yours;":** This concluding phrase serves as a powerful summary and emphatic declaration. The Greek word "all" (Greek, _pâs_) signifies absolute totality. The verb "are" (Greek, _estí_) confirms this as a present, established reality. The phrase reiterates the central truth: everything listed, from influential leaders to the vastness of time and creation, belongs to the believer as a divine inheritance, not for selfish indulgence but as a testament to their profound union with Christ.

#### Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs several literary devices to convey the profound truth of the believer's inheritance. **Anaphora** is evident in the repeated use of "or" (`eíte`, G1535), creating a rhythmic and cumulative effect that emphasizes the vast and comprehensive nature of what belongs to the Corinthians. This repetition builds momentum, moving from specific human leaders to universal cosmic and temporal realities. The rapid succession of items, largely without explicit conjunctions beyond the repeated "or," also demonstrates **Asyndeton**, which serves to accelerate the list and convey a sense of overwhelming abundance. Furthermore, the progression from Paul, Apollos, and Cephas to "the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come" illustrates **Climax**. This rhetorical ascent moves from the specific and familiar (human leaders) to the grand and universal (cosmic and temporal realities), magnifying the scope of the believer's inheritance to an astonishing degree. This climactic structure underscores the ultimate sovereignty of God and the privileged position of those united with Christ.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The declaration "all are yours" is a profound theological statement on the believer's union with Christ and the boundless nature of God's provision. It dismantles any human-centric pride or division, redirecting the focus entirely to God's ultimate sovereignty and generosity. Because believers are "in Christ," they participate in Christ's heirship over all creation, meaning that everything, from spiritual ministries to the very fabric of existence, is purposed by God for their ultimate good and His glory. This truth calls believers to a posture of gratitude, confidence, and responsible stewardship, recognizing that their immense spiritual wealth is not for selfish gain but for the advancement of God's kingdom and the building up of the body of Christ. It assures them that no circumstance, whether positive or negative, can ultimately separate them from God's loving purpose.

* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All things work for good")
* [Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed with every spiritual blessing")
* [Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ, the Creator and Sustainer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound truth that "all are yours" should utterly transform our perspective and daily living. It frees us from the anxiety of scarcity and the temptation to idolize human leaders or earthly possessions. If God has given us "all things" through Christ, then we can face any circumstance—whether it be the challenges of life, the inevitability of death, or the uncertainties of the future—with unwavering peace and confidence. This inheritance is not a license for passive consumption but a call to active stewardship. We are entrusted with spiritual gifts, human ministries, material resources, and the very moments of our lives, all of which are to be used for God's glory and the good of others. This verse invites us to live with radical generosity, secure identity, and a profound sense of purpose, knowing that in Christ, we lack nothing essential for life and godliness. It challenges us to evaluate where our allegiances truly lie and to embrace the vast, liberating reality of our divine inheritance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific "things" in your life (leaders, possessions, circumstances) do you tend to rely on or worry about more than God?**
* **How does the truth that "all are yours" impact your perspective on suffering, loss, or the unknown future?**
* **In what ways can you better steward the "all things" God has entrusted to you, whether they be spiritual gifts, relationships, or material resources, for His glory?**
* **How does understanding your identity as belonging to Christ (as stated in [1 Corinthians 3:23](/1_corinthians/3-23 "1 Corinthians 3:23 - You are Christ's")) deepen your appreciation for the "all things" that are yours?**

### FAQ
**What does Paul mean by "all are yours"?**

Answer: Paul means that everything listed – human leaders (Paul, Apollos, Cephas), the entire created world, the experience of life, the reality of death, and all events in the present and future – is ultimately purposed by God for the benefit and good of believers. It's a declaration of the believer's comprehensive spiritual inheritance and privileged position in Christ. It underscores that these elements are not masters to be served or causes for division, but rather resources and realities that God sovereignly controls and uses for His children, because believers themselves belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God ([1 Corinthians 3:23](/1_corinthians/3-23 "1 Corinthians 3:23 - You are Christ's")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The astounding declaration that "all are yours" finds its ultimate fulfillment and foundation in Jesus Christ. This vast inheritance is not due to any human merit or achievement, but solely because of the believer's union with Christ. As the Son of God, Jesus is the rightful heir of all things ([Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "Hebrews 1:2 - Christ, Heir of All Things")), through whom and for whom all things were created ([Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ, Creator of All")). When believers are united to Christ by faith, they become co-heirs with Him ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Co-heirs with Christ")), sharing in His divine inheritance. Therefore, whether it's the ministry of apostles, the beauty of creation, the gift of life, the conquerability of death, or the unfolding of history, all these realities are under Christ's Lordship ([Ephesians 1:22](/ephesians/1-22 "Ephesians 1:22 - Christ, Head over All Things")) and are ultimately orchestrated for the good of those who belong to Him. This verse powerfully testifies to the cosmic supremacy of Christ, through whom God has "blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed with Every Spiritual Blessing")), making us recipients of an immeasurable and eternal inheritance rooted in His finished work on the cross and His resurrection triumph over all things.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ephesians 4:11

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Ephesians 4:12

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Philippians 1:21

¶ For to me to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain.

1 Corinthians 3:5

¶ Who then is Paul, and who [is] Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

1 Corinthians 3:8

Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

1 Corinthians 9:19

¶ For though I be free from all [men], yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

1 Corinthians 9:22

To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all [men], that I might by all means save some.