1 Corinthians 15:31-34 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

I protest by your rejoicing Greek, νη την υμετεραν καυχησιν ην εχω, by the boasting concerning you which I have, namely, on account of your faith in Christ Jesus our Lord. So the clause is interpreted by some critics. I die daily That is, I am daily in danger of death, for bearing testimony to the resurrection of Christ, and to a general resurrection through him. If, to speak after the manner of men That is, To use a proverbial phrase expressive of the most imminent danger; I have fought with beasts at Ephesus With the savage fury of a lawless multitude, Acts 19:29, &c. What advantageth it me What have I gained by such sufferings; if the dead rise not? And I have nothing to expect after death. Let us eat and drink, &c. We might, on that supposition, as well say, with the Epicureans, Let us make the best of this short life, seeing we have no other portion to expect. Be not deceived By such pernicious counsels as this. Evil communications corrupt good manners He opposes to the Epicurean saying a well-known verse of the poet Menander. By evil communications, is meant conversation contrary to faith, hope, or love; or familiar intercourse with worldly and carnal people, which tends to destroy all holiness. Awake An exclamation full of apostolical majesty. Shake off your lethargy! To righteousness Evangelical and divine righteousness, flowing from the true knowledge of God, and implying that the whole soul be broad awake and watchful: the righteousness through which grace reigns unto eternal life, Romans 5:21; and sin not That is, and you will not sin, for sin supposes sleepiness or drowsiness of soul. There is need to press this; for some Among you; have not the knowledge of God With all your boasted knowledge, you are ignorant of what it most concerns you to know; I speak this to your shame For nothing is more shameful than sleepy ignorance of God, and of the word and works of God; to them especially, it was shameful, considering the advantages they had enjoyed.