Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 3:22

What does 1 Corinthians 3:22 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 3:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 3:22 means

Paul expands “all things are yours” with an astonishing list: “whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours.” In Christ, every circumstance and every faithful leader are pressed into service for the believer’s ultimate good. Even hostile powers like death cannot finally rob them; God makes everything serve His purposes for His people. This is not a license for arrogance, but a remedy for envy and fear. There is no need to clutch at a favorite teacher or dread the future. In Christ, believers are heirs, not beggars, and so can love all God’s gifts without factional possession.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things about to be--all are yours,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For all things are yours, whether it be Paul or Apollo or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come. For all are yours.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or [the] world, or life, or death, or things present, or things coming, all are yours;

Context

Having forbidden boasting in men, Paul uses a sweeping catalog to show the riches believers already have. This climactic list defuses the impulse to form parties around leaders and reframes all of life under Christ’s lordship. The final verse will anchor this inheritance in belonging: believers are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. The movement thus completes the chapter’s arc—from carnal divisions to a God-centered perspective that restores unity and peace.

v.21Wherefore let no one glory in men. For all things are yours;

v.22This passage

v.23and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Corinthians 3:5

    What then is Apollos? and what is Paul? Ministers through whom ye believed; and each as the Lord gave to him.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:5

    For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:12

    Now this I mean, that each one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

  • Ephesians 4:11

    And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

  • Romans 8:37

    Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

  • Philippians 1:21

    For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

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