1 Corinthians 15 32

1 Corinthians 15:32 kjv

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 nkjv

If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!"

1 Corinthians 15:32 niv

If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."

1 Corinthians 15:32 esv

What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."

1 Corinthians 15:32 nlt

And what value was there in fighting wild beasts ? those people of Ephesus ? if there will be no resurrection from the dead? And if there is no resurrection, "Let's feast and drink, for tomorrow we die!"

1 Corinthians 15 verses

1 Corinthians 15 32 Meaning

The resurrection of the dead, and specifically Christ's resurrection, is the cornerstone of Christian faith. If Christ had not been raised, the believers' faith would be in vain, signifying a futility and deception in their beliefs. This verse emphasizes that the Gospel proclamation is intrinsically linked to the historical reality of Christ's resurrection. Without it, their preaching and faith lack any true substance or hope beyond this life. The concept of resurrection is not merely a metaphor but a historical event foundational to the Christian message.

1 Corinthians 15 32 Context

In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul addresses a significant issue within the Corinthian church: the denial or questioning of the resurrection of the dead. This was likely influenced by Greek philosophical ideas that viewed the body as inherently evil or prison-like, making a bodily resurrection undesirable or impossible. Paul counters these beliefs by reaffirming the historical reality and theological importance of Christ's resurrection. He establishes Christ as the "firstfruits" of those who have died, a pattern for the future resurrection of believers. He expounds on the nature of the resurrected body and the chronological order of events concerning the end times and resurrection. This specific verse serves as a strong argument, highlighting the catastrophic implications for the Christian faith if Christ's resurrection were not a literal event.

1 Corinthians 15 32 Word Analysis

• Εἰ (ei): "If." A conditional particle introducing a hypothetical situation.
• Χριστός (Christos): "Christ." The Anointed One, Jesus Messiah. The divine identity of Jesus is central.
• ἐγήγερται (egegetai): "has been raised." Perfect passive indicative of ἐγείρω (egeirō), meaning to raise up, to rouse. The perfect tense emphasizes the completed action with ongoing results, signifying Christ's resurrection as a past event with present and future implications.
• ἀπὸ (apo): "from." A preposition indicating separation or source.
• νεκρῶν (nekrōn): "dead." Genitive plural of νεκρός (nekros), referring to the deceased. This explicitly states the realm from which Christ was raised.
• εἰ δὲ (ei de): "but if." Introduces a contrary condition.
• οὐκ (ouk): "not." A primary negative particle.
• ἐγήγερται (egegetai): "has been raised." Repetition emphasizes the central theme.
• μάτην (matēn): "in vain," "futilely," "empty," "idle." This adverb describes the consequence of Christ's resurrection not occurring. It implies uselessness, vanity, and ultimate deception. The term suggests a lack of real value or efficacy.
• κῆρυγμα (kērugma): "preaching," "proclamation." Noun from κηρύσσω (kērussō), to proclaim as a herald. This refers to the public announcement of the Gospel message.
• ἡμῶν (hēmōn): "our." Possessive pronoun.
• κέν (ken): "also," "and." A conjunction or adverb. Here it means "and," linking the resurrection to the preaching and faith.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Εἰ Χριστὸς οὐκ ἐγήγερται" (If Christ has not been raised): This clause sets up the fundamental condition. The use of "Christos" underscores the significance of Jesus as the Messiah. The perfect tense "egegetai" signifies an accomplished fact whose reality continues.
• "μάτην καὶ τὸ κῆρυγμα ἡμῶν" (in vain also our preaching): If the resurrection is untrue, Paul asserts their preaching is rendered futile. The "matēn" carries a strong sense of meaninglessness and lack of divine authority. Their public witness is exposed as a false claim.
• "κέν (kai) ἡ πίστις (pistis) ὑμῶν (hymōn)" (and your faith): The logical consequence of an unrealized resurrection is that the faith of the hearers is also rendered useless. "Pistis" is the active trust and belief in the Gospel message, which rests entirely upon the resurrection. The absence of this event invalidates all such belief.

1 Corinthians 15 32 Bonus Section

The term "matēn" is significant because it suggests more than just futility; it points to vanity and deception. It implies that their preaching, in this hypothetical scenario, would be characterized by emptiness and lack of substance, misleading people rather than leading them to salvation. The context implies a contrast between a genuine proclamation based on historical truth and a potentially fraudulent or mistaken message. Furthermore, the parallel construction between "our preaching" and "your faith" demonstrates the direct relationship between the source message and the response of belief; if the source is false, the response is likewise rendered empty. This verse also underpins the concept of objective truth in the Christian faith; the Gospel is not merely subjective experience but claims to be based on historical, verifiable events. The resurrection serves as God's validation of Jesus' identity and atoning work.

1 Corinthians 15 32 Commentary

This verse is a pivotal statement in the defense of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul unequivocally links the veracity of the Gospel and the efficacy of Christian faith to the historical reality of Christ's resurrection from the dead. He argues that if Jesus was not physically raised, then the entire message preached by the apostles is fundamentally flawed and devoid of genuine power or truth. Their preaching, and consequently the faith it inspires, is characterized as "in vain"—empty, pointless, and ultimately a deception. The resurrection is not merely an optional add-on but the essential foundation upon which Christianity is built. Without it, there is no victory over sin and death, no new life for believers, and no basis for eternal hope. The effectiveness and truthfulness of the entire Christian enterprise depend entirely on this singular event.