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.
Original Language Analysis
κατὰ
after the manner
G2596
κατὰ
after the manner
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
2 of 20
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
ἐθηριομάχησα
I have fought with beasts
G2341
ἐθηριομάχησα
I have fought with beasts
Strong's:
G2341
Word #:
4 of 20
to be a beast-fighter (in the gladiatorial show), i.e., (figuratively) to encounter (furious men)
τί
what
G5101
τί
what
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
7 of 20
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐγείρονται
rise
G1453
ἐγείρονται
rise
Strong's:
G1453
Word #:
14 of 20
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὔριον
to morrow
G839
αὔριον
to morrow
Strong's:
G839
Word #:
18 of 20
properly, fresh, i.e., (adverb with ellipsis of g2250) to-morrow
Cross References
Isaiah 22:13And 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.Isaiah 56:12Come 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.Luke 12:19And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.Acts 18:19And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.2 Peter 2:12But 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;
Historical Context
Ephesus was major commercial center with temple of Artemis, one of ancient world's seven wonders. The riot of Acts 19 (datable to circa AD 54-55) threatened Paul's life when silversmiths feared Christianity would destroy Artemis worship and their business. Paul may have been imprisoned there ("fought with beasts" as metaphor for legal/political opposition).
Questions for Reflection
- If you knew death was final, would your life choices change—what does this reveal about resurrection's importance?
- How does Paul's Isaiah quotation connect Old Testament judgment with New Testament resurrection hope?
- What is the difference between Christian 'dying daily' and Epicurean 'eat, drink, be merry'?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus (εἰ κατὰ ἄνθρωπον ἐθηριομάχησα ἐν Ἐφέσῳ)—The verb ethērioachēsa (ἐθηριομάχησα, "I fought with wild beasts") could be literal gladiatorial combat or metaphorical for brutal opposition. The phrase kata anthrōpon ("according to human perspective, for human motives") suggests the latter—Paul faced savage human opponents in Ephesus (Acts 19:23-41, 2 Corinthians 1:8). If literal, Paul's Roman citizenship (Acts 22:25-29) should have exempted him from damnatio ad bestias.
What advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? Let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die (τί μοι τὸ ὄφελος; εἰ νεκροὶ οὐκ ἐγείρονται, φάγωμεν καὶ πίωμεν, αὔριον γὰρ ἀποθνῄσκομεν)—Paul quotes Isaiah 22:13, a text condemning Jerusalem's hedonism before Babylonian conquest. The logic is Epicurean: if death ends existence, maximize pleasure and minimize pain. Why suffer for Christ if no resurrection? This is Christianity's wager: resurrection validates suffering; without it, hedonism is rational.