Does anyone know the passage of this verse?

Question

The Apostle Paul said something to the effect that even if he were to die and find out that living for Christ was for nothing, there was no Heaven, etc. he would still not regret living as a Christian. Does such a verse exist or am I confused? Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

As close as I can find is Paul writing in 1 Corinthians 15.10-117, but he did not say he would reject Christianity.

In Romans 9.3 states, "For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh,"  

Other than those I do not think there is such a verse. Hope that helps.

Answer 2

I don't recall such a verse. And considering the impact of meeting Jesus on the Damascus road, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the abuse he was willing to accept, it's highly unlikely that Paul would ever doubt the existence of God or heaven.

Answer 3

Others alluded to this passage.  I think this is what passage you are looking for.  I cut and pasted the English Standard Verison.

1Co 15:12-17  Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?  (13)  But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.  (14)  And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.  (15)  We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.  (16)  For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised.  (17)  And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.

Answer 4

Paul did say to live is gain...to die is gain...but what Bible are you reading?

Answer 5

Here is the address to an excellent (in my opinion) website for searching the Bible: http://www.biblegateway.com

Answer 6

I have no memory of such verse, and I know almost all there is to know about Paul. :)

Answer 7

It might be a misquote or misunderstanding,

Paul knows firmly well that there is a third heaven, see 2 Corinthians 12:2. the person he is referringg to is himself. he was force to boast/say these things. Please read the whole passage.

what is close to what you are asking is in I Corinthians 15 as mention by other before me. It is a rebuttal to some corinthians who think there is no resurrectionn.

As to one of your answerer's

"to die is gain", it is in Phillipians 1:21. the "GAIN" here means to be with Chirst. In this passage Paul was about to be martyr in rome. please read the whole chapter.

Answer 8

That's not in the Bible.

Instead, Paul says the opposite in 1 Corinthians 15.  Paul said that if Jesus wasn't risen from the dead, we might as well live like the sinful world and indulge the flesh, since we would be sent to h**l with the sinful world, if Jesus wasn't risen from the dead (some groups lied and falsely claimed that Jesus never rose from the dead, so he's saying that, if they didn't believe Jesus rose from the dead, then why are they bothering trying to live like believers?).

Of course, Jesus is risen from the dead, and believers will be going to heaven, so we ought to live for Jesus and not the flesh.

Answer 9

The inspired writer, Paul, penned the following in his first letter to the Corinthians, found in chapter fifteen, beginning in verse 12:

"Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised.  For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins."

This is the only passage I can think of which someone may misconstrue and think Paul had possible doubts when he penned: "and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain..." But, the conclusion one may draw from this passage that Paul had doubts is not founded by this passage nor any other passage. By reading the context of I Corinthians, we can see Paul did not have any doubt of Christ's resurrection; on the contrary, he was stating it was a fact.

I will say I understand the concept you state in the description of your question. In trying to convert my sibling, and as a last resort, I suggested the concept that if my following Christ was all a mistake, --I still lived a good life and I would be considered a positive contribution to society and my life would not be a waste, nor would I regret living as as a Christian.  

But Paul had no doubt of Christ's divinity and/or heaven. We can see this idea as he struggled with either remaining on this earth and helping the Philippian brethren or by departing from this earth to be with Christ.  If he had any doubt about who Christ was it's not reflected in scripture. Bible passage that expresses this: Phil 1: 21-30.

Paul did not pen such an idea; there is no such passage.  

Answer 10

I think you may be confused. Are you possibly talking about

King James Bible

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Answer 11

Chris is correct. Here is the passage...

1 Corinthians 15:16-19

For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

In other words, if there is no resurrection (as atheists assert) then what hope is there? However, because there IS going to be a resurrection, then there is a blessed hope for eternal life in Christ.