Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 15:31

What does 1 Corinthians 15:31 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 15:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 15:31 means

Paul swears by his pride in the Corinthians in Christ Jesus that he “dies daily”—he faces continual hardship and self-denial because of the gospel. This is not melodrama; it is the sober cost of apostleship. His willingness to live under constant threat makes sense only if the resurrection is true and Christ is Lord. The phrase also speaks of daily renunciation for Christ’s sake, a pattern fueled by hope. By tying his oath to the Corinthians’ own existence in Christ, Paul reminds them that their very church life is evidence of a power worth suffering for—namely, the risen Savior’s grace at work.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

I protest by that glorying in you, brethren, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

I protest by that glorying in you, brethren, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Yes, truly, by your pride in me, my brothers in Christ Jesus our Lord, my life is one long death.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Every day do I die, by the glorying of you that I have in Christ Jesus our Lord:

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

I die daily, I protest by your glory, brethren, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Daily I die, by your boasting which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Context

Paul deepens the personal argument from danger (v. 30) with an oath highlighting his daily exposure to death (v. 31). This leads into the rhetorical climax in v. 32 about fighting beasts in Ephesus and the absurdity of suffering if the dead are not raised. The context builds pressure through Paul’s lived example, preparing for the moral exhortation that bad company spoils good morals (v. 33) and the call to sober living (v. 34).

v.30why do we also stand in jeopardy every hour?

v.31This passage

v.32If 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.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:23

    Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I more; in labors more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly, in stripes above measure, in deaths oft.

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:9

    For what thanksgiving can we render again unto God for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;

  • Genesis 43:3

    And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.

  • Jeremiah 11:7

    For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice.

  • Philippians 3:3

    for we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh:

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:19

    For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even ye, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore 1 Corinthians 15

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on 1 Corinthians 15.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to 1 Corinthians 15:31.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary