King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 3:22 Mean?

1 Corinthians 3:22 in the King James Version says “Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your...” — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;”

1 Corinthians 3:22 · KJV

Context

20

And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

21

Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;

22

Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

23

And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

Read 1 Corinthians 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your's (πάντα ὑμῶν, panta hymōn)—Paul catalogs seven possessions spanning human, cosmic, temporal, and eternal realms. First, the disputed leaders (Paul, Apollos, Cephas) belong to believers as servants, not vice versa. Second, the world (ὁ κόσμος)—not as domain of sin but as creation, redeemed and inherited (Romans 4:13, 'the promise... that he should be the heir of the world').

Third, life (ζωή) and death (θάνατος)—both serve believers' good. Life provides opportunity for service; death is gain (Philippians 1:21), the doorway to glory. Death has lost its sting (1 Corinthians 15:55); even in dying, believers conquer. Fourth, things present and things to come—temporal and eternal blessings. Nothing lies outside believers' possession in Christ. This breathtaking comprehensiveness echoes Romans 8:28 ('all things work together for good') and 8:38-39 (nothing can separate us from God's love). The Corinthians' partisan bickering appears infinitely petty against this cosmic inheritance.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient philosophy distinguished between those possessing wisdom (who 'owned' reality through understanding) and the ignorant masses. Stoics spoke of the wise man possessing everything through rational alignment with nature. Paul radically democratizes and Christianizes this: all believers, through union with Christ, possess literally everything—not through philosophical achievement but through grace.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the truth that 'all things are yours'—including difficult circumstances, past failures, and future uncertainties—transform your perspective on present trials?
  2. What does it mean practically that 'death' is yours—how can you live unafraid of mortality and even see death as gain?
  3. How should possessing 'Paul, Apollos, and Cephas' as your servants change how you relate to teachers, pastors, and Christian leaders?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 19 words
εἴτε1 of 19

“Whether”

G1535

if too

Παῦλος2 of 19

“Paul”

G3972

(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle

εἴτε3 of 19

“Whether”

G1535

if too

Ἀπολλῶς4 of 19

“Apollos”

G625

apollos, an israelite

εἴτε5 of 19

“Whether”

G1535

if too

Κηφᾶς6 of 19

“Cephas”

G2786

the rock; cephas (i.e., kepha), a surname of peter

εἴτε7 of 19

“Whether”

G1535

if too

κόσμος8 of 19

“the world”

G2889

orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))

εἴτε9 of 19

“Whether”

G1535

if too

ζωὴ10 of 19

“life”

G2222

life (literally or figuratively)

εἴτε11 of 19

“Whether”

G1535

if too

θάνατος12 of 19

“death”

G2288

(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)

εἴτε13 of 19

“Whether”

G1535

if too

ἐνεστῶτα14 of 19

“things present”

G1764

to place on hand, i.e., (reflexively) impend, (participle) be instant

εἴτε15 of 19

“Whether”

G1535

if too

μέλλοντα·16 of 19

“things to come”

G3195

to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili

πάντα17 of 19

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ὑμῶν18 of 19

“yours”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

ἐστιν,19 of 19

“are”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Corinthians 3:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Corinthians 3:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ephesians 4:11-12Philippians 1:212 Corinthians 4:5Romans 8:37-391 Corinthians 9:19-221 Corinthians 3:5-8

Test Your Knowledge

1 Corinthians 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Corinthians Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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