Tuesday, May 2

32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus as a mere man, what good did that do me? If the dead are not raised, Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.

1 Corinthians 15:32

Pleasure + Pain

In 1 Corinthians 15:32, Paul continues his defense of the resurrection of the dead by highlighting a near-death experience and the pointlessness of life without the resurrection.The first half of verse 32 tells us that Paul fought wild beasts in Ephesus. This was most likely not an arena experience (think Gladiator), but it was certain that Paul was facing death in a very literal sense. 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 speaks of Paul being certain of death, yet trusting in the one who raises the dead and not in himself.Paul's purpose in bringing up this fight with the wild beasts is to make the argument:

"Why face these challenges if this life is all there is?"

Why would he face these trials if the resurrection of the dead is not a reality? Why would he fight beasts? Why would he suffer? Why would he put himself at risk of death?He continues this train of thought in the second half of verse 32, where he states, "if the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." Essentially, Paul is saying if the dead are not raised (Christ and his followers), then pursue pleasure and avoid pain at all costs.

The philosophy of life in the 1st and 21st Centuries: "Pursue pleasure. Avoid Pain."

Paul is making a point that if the resurrection is a fallacy, then we should not sacrifice and suffer because this life is all we have! Yet, Paul knew there was more, and his life testified to that fact. A few questions for us to ponder today:

• Is my life marked by the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain, or is it marked by sacrifice for the gospel?
• Do I testify to the reality of the resurrection in word AND deed?
• When was the last time I sacrificed for the gospel?

May our lives testify to the fact that there is more to this life!