What does 1 Corinthians 15.31 mean?

Answer 1

To the Jews, the notion of a physical resurrection at the end of times was a quite acceptable concept, but this was repugnant to the Corinthians, who were Jews. The Corinthians had gone so far as to say, "There is no resurrection of the dead" (1 Cor. 15:12). They had understood the resurrection of Christ, not in terms of a bodily resurrection "from the dead", but in terms of translation, metamorphosis or exaltation into a purely spiritual mode of existence.

Paul therefore came up with the notion of a "spiritual body" to bridge the intellectual traditions of Jewish and Greek cultures. In 1 Corinthians 15 he argues that:

• There are many kinds of bodies among animals and human beings, and the "bodies of plants are different from the 'bodies' of the seeds from which they come.
• There are earthly bodies and "heavenly bodies" (with reference to sun, moon, and stars).
• The first man, Adam, had a "physical body"; the "man from heaven" (Christ) had a "spiritual body" (1 Cor 15:45-47).
• The resurrection of Christ was the "first fruits" of the general resurrection of Christians which would take place at the eschaton.
• At the general resurrection, the bodies of the dead would be changed into imperishable bodies just like the heavenly body of Christ.

In verse 29, he argues his case, saying why bother being baptised if you will not be resurrected from the dead.

Answer 2

1Corinthians 15:31 I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

In the chapter Paul makes 2 arguments for the ressurection of the dead. The second argument he derives from his perils and sufferings. He is saying if the dead do not rise why is he putting his life in danger by spreading the gospel. The "die daily" is figurative speech for the danger he faced eveyday.

So the verse might be paraphrased: "As surely as I rejoice over you as my children in Christ Jesus, every day of my life I am exposed to death."

From the Good News Bible:

1Co 15:31 My friends, I face death every day! The pride I have in you, in our life in union with Christ Jesus our Lord, makes me declare this.