What does “I die daily” mean?

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Jim B

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I am bringing this verse from another thread to get your opinion.

Does “I die daily” (1 Cor 15.31) mean “I die to sin/self daily” or is it talking about physical death?

Here is the context:
1 Corinthians 15
29) Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? 30) And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31) I die daily [every day, NIV]--I mean that, brothers--just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32) If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."​
What do you think?

\o/
 

Suffolk Sean

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Isn't this implied in "Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord"; (Rom 6:11) and in Jesus' admonition to take up your cross daily (Luke 9:23)?


Ok copied my reply from other forum. To answer you I feel it is dying to the sin nature. Even though we bury that old man, he tries like the dickens to get back up.

Intresting thought along this, I heard a preacher say that the sin nature is represented by Adam and that when the harlot Babylon says she is not a widow, he believes that she is saying that the old nature still lives. Quick paraphrase of what he said, but intresting.
 
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Jim B

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Suffolk Sean said:
Isn't this implied in "Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord"; (Rom 6:11) and in Jesus' admonition to take up your cross daily (Luke 9:23)?


Ok copied my reply from other forum. To answer you I feel it is dying to the sin nature. Even though we bury that old man, he tries like the dickens to get back up.

Intresting thought along this, I heard a preacher say that the sin nature is represented by Adam and that when the harlot Babylon says she is not a widow, he believes that she is saying that the old nature still lives. Quick paraphrase of what he said, but intresting.
I agree with your views, but IMO that is NOT what the Apostle meant when he penned the words “I die daily.” It is apparent (to me) that, in the context of the entire chapter whose subject is physical death and resurrection, he would not suddenly lapse into a statement about dying to self and sin – that would have been misleading to his readers/hearers.

In its context, Paul is simply reminding his readers that he was in jeopardy of being killed every day – he faced physical death daily, he died daily – and it would be ludicrous of him, for example, to put his life in jeopardy it there was no resurrection of the dead. That is the plain meaning of the “I die daily” phrase.

In another, and closer to context, meaning we all die daily. Techncially, we are dying, not living. From the moment we were born (as depressing as it is to say) we began dying. We all die a little bit daily. (Sigh!)

As I said in a previous post in another thread (to which you graciously responded):
While I may agree with the basic sentiment of the idea that we must "die to ourselves" daily, there is just no scripture that teaches it.

The problem with taking a verse (in this case phrase) out of context and adding our own meaning to it, no matter how true (or better) we think our meaning may be, is what Peter called “wresting” (distorting) the scripture (2 Pt 3.16). If we can do that with “I die daily,” we can do it, as the Mormons have, with “ye are gods” (Isa. 41.23) … or for that matter, any other scripture/phrase we want.​

\o/
 
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Suffolk Sean

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Perhaps this is in reference to the earlier verse (26) about death being the last enemy to be put under His (Jesus') feet. Meaning this: If death is not put under His feet, what hope is there in resurrection? Maybe he is speaking literally as you said and metaphorically at the same time as I believe he (Paul) was inclined to do.

Another amazing thing is the what we believe the Bible says over what it really says. I completely agree with your assertion that here Paul is literally speaking of physical (or threat of) death. Yet we throw verses around out of context alot in order to formulate or defend something we are emotionally attached to. :)
 
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EAGLE1940

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Sorry Brothers!..... While Much Of What You've Sharred Is Truth..
God Is Not Refering To How Many Lions We May Possibly Face Daily..
Nor The Ongoing Death Process In Our Human Flesh!

"god Is A Spirit...they That Worship Him In Spirit And In Truth!"
We Must Know Him And His Wonder Word...by The Revelation Of
The Holy Ghost...in The Spirit Ream, Not The Flesh World!

Paul Is Talking About "a Spirit Led Life...that Has Put Satan
Under Their Feet And Walking In An Overcoming Life, To Do
What Jesus Did..say What Jesus Said And Be Led To Wherever
He Tells Us To Go!!

Yes! We Must Die Out To Pride...self Will...what Others Think..
The Norm... And Our Past Life, If We Are To See The Real
Manifestation Of His Glory (presance) In Our Personal Lives!

The Only Thing Going Back Into Heaven... Is What He Has
Deposited In Us, That Came Out Of Heaven!

Be Blessed-

Buford Dowell/dir

Ps: In Case You Think I'm Tring To Spiritualize The Scripture...
Well, I Could Think Of Worse Things!" It's A Supernatural
Book...it's Takes The Supernatural Power Of The Holy Spirit..
To Give You Revelation Understanding Of The Holy Bible!
 
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Jim B

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EAGLE1940 said:
Sorry Brothers!..... While Much Of What You've Sharred Is Truth..
God Is Not Refering To How Many Lions We May Possibly Face Daily..
Nor The Ongoing Death Process In Our Human Flesh!

"god Is A Spirit...they That Worship Him In Spirit And In Truth!"
We Must Know Him And His Wonder Word...by The Revelation Of
The Holy Ghost...in The Spirit Ream, Not The Flesh World!

Paul Is Talking About "a Spirit Led Life...that Has Put Satan
Under Their Feet And Walking In An Overcoming Life, To Do
What Jesus Did..say What Jesus Said And Be Led To Wherever
He Tells Us To Go!!

Yes! We Must Die Out To Pride...self Will...what Others Think..
The Norm... And Our Past Life, If We Are To See The Real
Manifestation Of His Glory (presance) In Our Personal Lives!

The Only Thing Going Back Into Heaven... Is What He Has
Deposited In Us, That Came Out Of Heaven!

Be Blessed-

Buford Dowell/dir

Ps: In Case You Think I'm Tring To Spiritualize The Scripture...
Well, I Could Think Of Worse Things!" It's A Supernatural
Book...it's Takes The Supernatural Power Of The Holy Spirit..
To Give You Revelation Understanding Of The Holy Bible!
:eek:

With all due respect, to you and your position, Buford, I think this kind of approach to interpreting the Bible does a disservice to Truth. If we follow this approach, ANY person, ANYwhere can add ANY meaning to ANY scripture at ANY time and in ANY way they want, then … well, so much for Truth.

Either the Bible means what it says or it says what you want it to mean. Take your pick.

If someone were to take something you said and add their own personal (and subjective or “spiritual”) meaning to it so that it wound up being skewed into the opposite of what you meant, how would you feel?

Well, maybe that’s how God feels.

\o/
 
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tesnusxenos

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I, personally, think "I die daily", is speaking of laying down our lives and picking up the life Christ wants for us (our cross). Anytime we put anothers will ahead of our own we are dieing to self. This is especially true when we put the life of christ in the drivers seat and do not our will bur Jesus' will.
 
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Jim B

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tesnusxenos said:
I, personally, think "I die daily", is speaking of laying down our lives and picking up the life Christ wants for us (our cross). Anytime we put anothers will ahead of our own we are dieing to self. This is especially true when we put the life of christ in the drivers seat and do not our will bur Jesus' will.
How can you, reading the verse in its context, justify this conclusion?

:scratch:

Do you believe that scripture should be interpreted in its context? Or are we free to pull any verse from context and add whatever meaning we think best (as I feel you are doing in this case)?

:confused:

\o/
 
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riverpastor

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Jim,

I easily see your literal point as found in scripture context. What I hate to see is that you will stop at only the surface level of the scripture.

If we believe that "all scripture" is God-breathed, then it may prove worthy to come to this (and all scripture) with discursive meditation in mind.

To say that one scripture only has one meaning can be fallible. I believe that there are layers upon layers of meaning and as each layer is peeled away (or as the veil is removed more and more from our natural mind) that we see AND EXPERIENCE more and more depth of the Spirit-realm and not just some surface meaning of words written nearly 2000 years ago. What difference then does it make that Paul told us at all that he dies daily. So what, Paul? Tough cookies for you.

Is there more to the Word than just ink and paper?

You think that's air you're breathing? (heh, heh)
 
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riverpastor

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tesnusxenos said:
I, personally, think "I die daily", is speaking of laying down our lives and picking up the life Christ wants for us (our cross). Anytime we put anothers will ahead of our own we are dieing to self. This is especially true when we put the life of christ in the drivers seat and do not our will bur Jesus' will.

Who is not to say that this is exactly what Paul meant? If maybe not Paul, it's obvious that the Spirit of God has illuminated this scripture to this particular young lady at this particular time in her life and that this is the message to her from this scripture!

I'm sure that Paul is grateful that the Holy Spirit took something that he (Paul) wrote many, many years ago in order to illuminate the Way, the Truth and the Life to her.

I'm guessing that Paul's not in the Kingdom saying, "Now, wait just a doggone minute here! She's got it all wrong! That's not what I meant at all! Holy Spirit, take that revelation away from her and just give her the bland old writing that I penned down."

If we can't see our lives in the scripture, both Old and New Testament, and allow it to speak Light and Truth to us, whether it's in context or not, can very easily lead us away from Liberty in Christ and place us in bondage of religion.

Yes, context has its place in the literal study of scriptures, but who gives any other man the right to dictate and portray that their way is God's only way of performing the operation of His Kingdom.
 
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Ariel

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"I die daily," 1 Cor. 15:31.

This assertion is part of an extended argument that there is life after death. Paul was continually endangered. Why face such hardships if there is no reason? In this sense Paul is saying he faces death everyday, but he can do it knowing that even if he dies, he will not die in vain, for indeed, he will live.

But I believe that there is a further meaning here as well. How could Paul face death everyday unless he first chose to die to self? Just as Paul instructs us to present our bodies as living sacrifices, Romans 12:1, so I believe that Paul counted himself as dead to self, including his own ambitions, comforts and desires from day to day.

"Those who are Christ's," Paul says, "have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires," Gal. 5:24. Paul counted himself crucified with Christ.

Being a fervent, evangelistic Christian in Paul's day was dangerous. Perhaps this is the key to this lifestyle: Embrace death beforehand, so that the peril of death causes no fear in you as you minister to others.

An application for us: Embrace death to self daily, so that the ministry of the Gospel may go unhindered by the fear of man.

Prov. 29:25
 
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Jim B

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Ariel said:
"I die daily," 1 Cor. 15:31.

This assertion is part of an extended argument that there is life after death. Paul was continually endangered. Why face such hardships if there is no reason? In this sense Paul is saying he faces death everyday, but he can do it knowing that even if he dies, he will not die in vain, for indeed, he will live.

But I believe that there is a further meaning here as well. How could Paul face death everyday unless he first chose to die to self? Just as Paul instructs us to present our bodies as living sacrifices, Romans 12:1, so I believe that Paul counted himself as dead to self, including his own ambitions, comforts and desires from day to day.

"Those who are Christ's," Paul says, "have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires," Gal. 5:24. Paul counted himself crucified with Christ.

Being a fervent, evangelistic Christian in Paul's day was dangerous. Perhaps this is the key to this lifestyle: Embrace death beforehand, so that the peril of death causes no fear in you as you minister to others.

An application for us: Embrace death to self daily, so that the ministry of the Gospel may go unhindered by the fear of man.

Prov. 29:25
No wonder Christians can’t come to agreement on what scripture means. I think this popular approach to interpreting the Bible (looking for layered, hidden metaphorical meanings) is what causes all the debate among believers. If we can add our own subjective meaning to any scripture there can never be any consensus on what Truth is. We, in effect, become Bible’s unto ourselves. We don’t even need the Bible, if we can hatch truth out of whole cloth.

Isn’t this what Peter meant when he wrote “Know this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation.” (2 Peter 1.20)

Of course, if you want to add your own “metaphorical” interpretation to this scripture, then it can mean anything you want it to mean.

\o/

PS. I have taken time to research a host of reputable commentaries on the phrase “I die daily,” 1 Cor. 15.31 (see below)
 
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tesnusxenos

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1 Corinthians 15
29) Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? 30) And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31) I die daily --I mean that, brothers--just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32) If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."

If we replace I die daily with "every day there is less of me and more of Christ" you can see how what I said earlier does fit in context

1 Corinthians 15
29) Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? 30) And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31) every day there is less of me and more of Christ--I mean that, brothers--just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32) If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."

I have been studying about how we are to lay our lives down for one another. how we are to take up our crosses and follow him. how we are to be transformed into Jesus image by being living sacrifices. I think in the context of the whole new testament it fits beautifully.
 
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Jim B

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Dear Ariel, RP, SS, Eagle, et.al.

I have done some checking in online commentaries (at crosswalk.com) and in my personal library to see if I can find any support for your position that “I die daily” means that a Christian must die to sin/self daily in order to, I suppose, live a victorious Christian life.

Guess what?

All respected Bible teachers and commentators on scripture that I have found, without fail, disagree with you.

For example:

The excellent reference “Hard Saying of the Bible” (Intervarsity Press) says, “‘I die daily,’ Paul writes (I Cor. 15.31), meaning, ‘I am exposed to the risk of death every day, and that for Jesus’ sake.’ He says that he and his fellow apostles ‘always carry around in our body the death of Jesus’ and explains himself by saying that ‘we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body’ (2 Cor,4.10-11).”​

No metaphorcal meaning there.

“I die daily” which is to be understood, not in a spiritual sense of dying unto sin; he was dead unto sin, as to its damning power, through the death of Christ, and as to its governing power, through the Spirit and grace of Christ, but still it was living and dwelling in him; but in a corporeal sense: he instances in himself in particular, who was one that was in jeopardy or danger of his life every hour; he always bore in his body the dying of the Lord Jesus, and was continually delivered to death for Jesus' sake; death was always working in him, he expected it every day, and was ready for it; he did not count his life dear unto himself, but was very willing to lay it down for the sake of Christ and his Gospel; which he would never have done, if he had not good reason to believe the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead. (John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible)​

Again, no metaphorical meaning.

I die daily--This ought to stand first in the sentence, as it is so put prominently forward in the Greek. I am day by day in sight of death, exposed to it, and expecting it, 2 Corinthians 4:11,12, 1:8,9, 11:23. (Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Jamieson, Fausset, Brown)​

Once again, no allegorical meaning here, either.

“I die daily,’’ v. 31. He was in continual danger of death, and carried his life, as we say, in his hand. And why should he thus expose himself, if he had no hopes after life? To live in daily view and expectation of death, and yet have no prospect beyond it, must be very heartless and uncomfortable, and his case, upon this account, a very melancholy one. He had need be very well assured of the resurrection of the dead, or he was guilty of extreme weakness, in hazarding all that was dear to him in this world, and his life into the bargain. He had encountered very great difficulties and fierce enemies; he had fought with beasts at Ephesus (v. 32), and was in danger of being pulled to pieces by an enraged multitude, stirred up by Demetrius and the other craftsmen (Acts 19:24, etc.), though some understand this literally of Paul’s being exposed to fight with wild beasts in the amphitheatre, at a Roman show in that city. (Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible)​

Again, no symbolic language.

In its context ‘die daily’ is figurative speech for Paul’s proleptic experience of martyrdom in his repeated sufferings for the gospel. (Bible Background Commentary of the New Testament)​

If there is figurative language, it is figurative of physical (not spiritual) death.

“As for us, why do we endanger ourselves every day . . . I die daily” (vv.30-31). The Greek phrase is strong: Paul risks his life daily to promote the gospel.(The Victor Bible Background Commentary, New Testament)​

No symbolic language mentioned here.

v. 31. “I protest, . . . I die daily.” I am in daily peril of death. (People’s Commentary)​

Again.

“die daily” (kaq hmeran apoqnhskw). I am in daily peril of death, 2 Corinthians 4:11; 2 Corinthians 11:23; Romans 8:36. (Robertson’s Word Pictures of the New Testament)​

Again.

“I die daily” I protest by your rejoicing, which I have - Which love makes my own. I die daily - I am daily in the very jaws of death. Beside that I live, as it were, in a daily martyrdom. (John Wesley’s Notes on the Bible)​

Again.

I have found NO respected Bible teacher that would agree with you tha “I die daily” means that we are to die to sin/self daily. This is NOT what this passage is saying, no matter how true the idea may be and, furthermore, it is “wresting scripture” to misuse and to teach others to misuse scripture in this way.

IMO.

\o/
 
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Suffolk Sean

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All,

I have to say in this regard again, I agree with Jim. What Paul is speaking of here is the danger of physical harm/death. I read the commentaries and read the context and feel (right now) there is no grounds for "over spirtualizing" this passage. This is something of a departure for me as I usually do try to see what the underlying truth of a matter is (ie when Paul speaks of women having a covering, I think the underlying truth about it is dealing with the soul being under/covered by the spirit).
 
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JimB

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Ariel said:
Jim, I don't believe you made any effort to understand what I wrote. Nor was I speaking metaphorically.

So why are you asking us questions if you are not willing to hear what we have to say?
I am not just talking to you, Ariel. There are several people involved in this discussion.

I am hearing what you say and am intelligent enough to understand what you mean. You simply have not convinced me for the reasons I have stated.

\o/
 
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riverpastor

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Jim,

If the metaphorical interpretation of scripture comes singly to a man by revelation of the Holy Ghost, then can we altogether say that what the Holy Spirit is saying through revelation of the scripture not the interpretation for all.

In this I agree with you. The Spirit's interpretation of a single scripture or set of scriptures to me is not derived from my intellectual or my emotional level but is solely provided by His enlightenment into His topic of choice. I am not to say that this revelation is for all men to behold and adhere to. It is the revelation of the scripture at its deeper meaning as the Spirit reveals to me that is effected in my life and can actually change me into its image.

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but I'm sure there have been times when you've read a scripture and the Lord brings something to light in you that has nothing to do with the context of the scripture itself. Is that true or not true?

If so, the difference may be whether or not you treat the scripture at that point of revelation as doctrine for yourself and perhaps others to follow. Outside of the context how it was written years through the author's thoughts.

I know the Vineyard church believes in prophecy, word of knowledge and word of wisdom. Have you ever received such a gift and if so, did the Holy Spirit only use scripture to authenticate what He was trying to reveal to you?

Let me share an example: I was in a tent meeting one time and a man that I had only recently met had been attending. I asked the Lord if He wanted to share a word from His Kingdom to this man. And as I waited upon the Lord, I saw an image of a asymmetrical boulder and as I pondered the huge rock I heard the Lord speak into my spirit the word, "chisel". As I stood up on the platform in the tent to share these images suddenly the Lord spoke the rest of the word to me that there were circumstances and situations that this man was going through that God was using to chisel him and to form him into the man of God that the Lord had called him to be. As I said these words, he was constantly nodding and was weeping slightly.

Afterwards I asked Him if the images and words that the Lord shared with me had ministered to him. He told me that two weeks prior to that meeting, he had a dream of a chisel and had been praying for the meaning since then. The Lord answered this man's prayer that night and he received grace and strength to endure what he was going through.

Was there scripture to support such a word to this man? No.
Was there anything to prove that it should be kept as doctrine? No.
What was truly happening? God broke through in revelation to mend a heart broken by circumstance and hard times. It's part of the gospel. It's what God does. He heals and mends. He saves and delivers. He sets free and restores.

If dogmatic doctrine and literal interpretations only do not allow for freedom and restoration through Christ, then there's a chance that a congregation is missing the forest because of the bark on a single tree.

It seems to me that this type of "church" would be no better off than Toastmasters or the Rotary Club -- just literal rules and regulations and "no, that's not what it really says".

Where is the Spirit of freedom in that? Where is the release of the captive? Or have we taken God's children and turned them from one type of captive into another?

On a last note -- I've had God speak to me through billboards, television shows, magazines, bank tellers, phone books, etc.

God will speak to you (reveal to you) if you will but listen.

And, oh yes, sometimes even those things were revealed out of context...
 
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