1 Corinthians 15:32
What does 1 Corinthians 15:32 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 15:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 15:32 means
Paul references a fierce struggle “with beasts at Ephesus,” whether literal or figurative for violent opposition. He asks, what benefit is such suffering if the dead are not raised? If death ends all, the logical motto becomes, “let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die.” Without resurrection, pleasure-chasing would be reasonable. The gospel, however, teaches that this life is seedtime for harvest to come. The verse exposes the ethical collapse that follows denial of future judgment and reward. By contrast, resurrection hope produces courage and self-control, not reckless indulgence, because life and labor have eternal weight before God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000If 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611If 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901If 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If, after the way of men, I was fighting with beasts at Ephesus, what profit is it to me? If the dead do not come to life again, let us take our pleasure in feasting, for tomorrow we come to an end.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862if after the manner of a man with wild beasts I fought in Ephesus, what the advantage to me if the dead do not rise? let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752If (according to man) I fought with beasts at Ephesus, what doth it profit me, if the dead rise not again? Let us eat and drink, for to morrow we shall die.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890If, [to speak] after the manner of man, I have fought with beasts in Ephesus, what is the profit to me if [those that are] dead do not rise? let us eat and drink; for to-morrow we die.
Context
After asserting daily danger (v. 31), Paul gives a stark “what if” grounded in his own trials (v. 32). He argues that without resurrection, suffering for Christ is pointless, and hedonism would be consistent. This sets the stage for a warning about corrupting influences (v. 33) and a wake-up call to righteousness (v. 34). The flow moves from logical consequences to moral urgency, preparing for answers to questions about how resurrection works (vv. 35–49).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Peter 2:12
But these, as creatures without reason, born mere animals to be taken and destroyed, railing in matters whereof they are ignorant, shall in their destroying surely be destroyed,
- Acts 18:19
And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
- Malachi 3:14
Ye have said, It is vain to serve God; and what profit is it that we have kept his charge, and that we have walked mournfully before Jehovah of hosts?
- Jude 1:10
But these rail at whatsoever things they know not: and what they understand naturally, like the creatures without reason, in these things are they destroyed.
- Ecclesiastes 2:24
There is nothing better for a manthanthat he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.
- Job 35:3
That thou sayest, What advantage will it be unto thee? And, What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?
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