What does 1 Corinthians 15:32 mean?
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. 1 Corinthians 15:32
Explanation
The verse from 1 Corinthians 15:32 is part of a larger discussion by the Apostle Paul about the resurrection of the dead. In this verse, Paul uses a rhetorical device, possibly referencing his own experiences, with the phrase “If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus.” It’s not clear whether Paul is speaking literally (having encountered wild animals in an arena-like setting) or metaphorically (referring to intense opposition and struggles with hostile people in Ephesus, which was known for its worship of the goddess Artemis).
The latter part of the verse, “what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die,” reflects a common hedonistic philosophy of the time, which is often summarized by the phrase “eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.” Paul is arguing that if there is no resurrection, then enduring suffering for one’s faith, as he has done, is meaningless. Instead, one might as well live for the moment, seeking pleasure without concern for the afterlife.
Historical Context
1 Corinthians 15:32 was written in a letter by Paul to the Christian community in Corinth around the mid-first century AD. Corinth was a prominent city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth, cosmopolitan population, and moral laxity. The church in Corinth was struggling with divisions, moral issues, and confusion about various teachings including the resurrection. In this context, Paul was addressing their doubts about the resurrection of the dead and the implications of such doubts on Christian living and witness.
Theological Insights
Different theological viewpoints analyze this verse in diverse ways:
- Literal Interpretation: Some see Paul’s mention of fighting beasts at Ephesus as a literal event, perhaps referring to a time when he was physically threatened by wild animals for the sake of the Gospel.
- Metaphorical Interpretation: Others view the beasts as metaphorical for the intense opposition and difficulties Paul faced in his ministry.
- Eschatological Perspective: Paul is reinforcing the importance of the belief in the resurrection. The hope of resurrection provides the impetus for enduring hardships and staying faithful in the present.
- Ethical Implications: This verse also touches upon the ethical implications of belief in the afterlife—if there is no resurrection, moral and sacrificial living lacks ultimate purpose.
Practical Applications
This verse challenges believers to reflect on their motivation for righteous living. It implies that a belief in the resurrection and an eternal perspective should guide one’s actions and attitudes. Practically, it can be applied to encourage perseverance in the face of hardship and to resist hedonistic temptations by maintaining hope in the future resurrection.
Cross-References
- 1 Corinthians 15:19: “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”
- 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.”
- 1 Corinthians 9:25: “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.”
Language Study
The key phrase “fought with beasts” in Greek is “ἐθηριομάχησα” (ethēriomachēsa), where “thērion” means a beast or wild animal and “machomai” means to fight or struggle. This provides a potential literal and metaphorical interpretation of the text.
The phrase “for tomorrow we die” in Greek “αὔριον ἀποθνῄσκομεν” (aurion apothnḗskomen) emphasizes the imminent nature of death that leads to the hedonistic philosophy of seizing the day without regard for the future.
Cultural and Religious Comparisons
The hedonistic saying cited by Paul “let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die” parallels Epicurean philosophy, which also focused on seeking pleasure in the present moment but with the moderation absent in Paul’s critique. This comparison shows Paul engaging with contemporary cultural ideas to illustrate the potential folly of denying the resurrection.
Scientific Perspectives
The concept of the resurrection confronts the scientific understanding of death as the finality of life. The biological sciences affirm that once an organism has died, it remains dead. As such, the doctrine of resurrection is a matter of faith and not empirical evidence, lying outside the realms of scientific analysis or confirmation.
commentaries
Commentaries provide varying perspectives on 1 Corinthians 15:32:
- John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible suggests that Paul may not be speaking literally but rather indicating severe persecutions, comparing his adversaries to beasts.
- Matthew Henry’s Commentary notes that the enjoyment of life is not wrong, but making it the ultimate goal is, particularly if it’s predicated on the falsehood that there is no resurrection.
- The Pulpit Commentary indicates that Paul’s mention of fighting beasts, if not literal, was a hyperbolic way of speaking about conflict and opposition, emphasizing the seriousness with which he approached his struggles, particularly if there were no future hope of resurrection.
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible suggests that Paul’s statement about fighting with beasts is symbolic and relates to his time in Ephesus where he faced fierce opposition, resembling a battle with wild animals.
Looking for a Good 1 Corinthians Bible Study? Start Here:
- MacArthur, John F. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 128 Pages - 12/29/2015 (Publication Date) - HarperChristian Resources (Publisher)
- Thomas, Jay S. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 96 Pages - 07/31/2015 (Publication Date) - Crossway (Publisher)
- Orders are despatched from our UK warehouse next working day.
- Jeremiah, Dr. David (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 160 Pages - 03/03/2020 (Publication Date) - HarperChristian Resources (Publisher)
- Lucado, Max (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 144 Pages - 07/10/2018 (Publication Date) - HarperChristian Resources (Publisher)
Last update on 2025-11-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API