1 Corinthians 15:32 Commentary and Bible Study

Again this is about Paul’s own belief in the resurrection, and what he was prepared to do for the Lord because of it. I that is what the apostle believed, then it is what the Corinthians should believe also. That belief girds him to face persecution for the name of Christ. Although no such event as he refers to here is recorded in the New Testament, the way he locates it so precisely in Ephesus, makes it clear that this is some real experience that he has been through, which his readers are aware of. Let them reflect on how he could do such a thing if he was acting as a mere man. He is not made of granite. Even an apostle needs encouragement to go through hard trials. ‘If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus.’ There is no record in the book of Acts, or anywhere else, that the apostle actually fought with beasts. This could be metaphorical; it could be figurative. It was often said in ancient times that the Roman soldiers could be like beasts. Perhaps this refers to some trial at the hands of the Romans in which his life was put in danger. The event isn’t actually recorded; but he obviously had a terrible experience. Perhaps it is literal, but most likely he means it figuratively.If he has faced this trial ‘after the manner of men’, that is, as an unbelieving man would face such a trial with no prospect of rising from the dead, then what profit has it been to him? Paul certainly looked for profit in all he did for the Lord. He suffered for the Lord in the hope that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us. But if there is no resurrection, then there will be no glory revealed in us. Obviously therefore, he has not faced these trials in such a spirit. He has believed strongly in the resurrection and it has given him a courage to face death daily for the Lord. If the dead do not rise, he might as well say, along with the hedonists, there is no more to life than the pursuit of pleasure. The purpose of life is to find a few brief years of pleasure before we cease to exist, because after this life there is no judgment, no resurrection, no afterlife. If they are right, then they do at least live consistently with their beliefs. If so, Christian living is a waste of time. ‘Wake up, Corinthians,’ he is saying.