Note 4 at 1Co 15:32: It is unclear whether Paul meant this literally or figuratively. There is no account in Acts of him fighting with physical beasts, so many presume this to be a figurative statement Paul applied to the men of Ephesus. The Phillips' translation and the Living Bible interpret it that way.

However, it was a Roman practice to throw prisoners to animals as sport, so there is a possibility that this literally happened. In any case, this is similar to the mention of baptizing for the dead mentioned in 1Co 15:29. This is the only mention of this in Scripture, and no doctrine can be established on the basis of one scripture (see note 1 at 1Co 15:29).

The point that Paul was making is clear. He believed there is a heaven and hell that people will be resurrected to, and therefore, he endured many hardships to preach the Gospel to every creature.

Note 5 at 1Co 15:32: This philosophy of "let's eat and drink; for to morrow we die," which Paul was ridiculing here, is the current philosophy that many people hold. They are "partying" today, oblivious of any future consequences. Paul said that this would be the correct way of thinking if there were no resurrection. Since there is a resurrection, this is not the correct way of thinking.

This does illustrate why most people have this attitude. They don't believe in, or have forgotten about, the resurrection. They are totally focused on the temporary present. Consciousness of eternity will sober people and cause then to act in self-sacrificing ways.