If I fought with animals at Ephesus for human purposes, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, then “let’s eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 32. With beasts at Ephesus. He seems to mean, with men as cruel and brutal as beasts: for there is not sufficient reason to think that at Ephesus he was exposed to beasts in the amphitheatre. Witham.—Interpreters are divided upon this passage. Calmet is of opinion that Saint Paul was exposed in the amphitheatre at Ephesus, but was secured from all injury by the all-powerful hand of God: he produces the testimony of Saint John Chrysostom Theo. Saint Ambrose S. Cyp. and S. Hil. all of whom understand this passage in the literal sense. Nicephorus cites a book, entitled The Travels of Saint Paul, in confirmation of this fact, wherein (he informs us) there is a long account of this transaction. S. Jerom says, that Saint Paul was condemned by the governor of Ephesus to be devoured by beasts. Estius seems to maintain the same opinion as Chall. To inspirit us to combat, it is advisable to turn our eyes frequently to a future life. The brevity of the present is a principle common to the morality of Jesus Christ, and to that of Epicurus. But how contrary are the conclusions! Why should we not rather say: “Let us watch, and fast, and pray, and do penance, for to-morrow we die; and after that, judgment.”—Let us eat and drink, and so forth That is, if we did not believe that we were to rise again from the dead, we might live like the impious and wicked, who have no belief in the resurrection. Challoner.