1 Corinthians 3:22

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

'whether' -these are the things that "belong" to the Corinthians.

'Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas' -'how can the Corinthians say, "I am of Paul, or Apollos"? That is too narrow, too constricted. view...You do not belong to them; they belong to you, as your servants.' (Fee p. 154) 'Why should they claim Paul as theirs and leave Peter? They're all yours!' (McGuiggan p. 54)

'or the world' -'The point is that the world exists and subsists for the usefulness of the saint. Only the Christian can properly use the things of the world; the non-Christian generally lets the world use him..' (Willis p. 122)

'or life, or death' -'Don't choose life and reject death; both are yours!' (McGuiggan p. 54) Both life and death "serve". useful purpose for the Christian. The Christian can use both to his/her advantage. "Death" is very handy when we are ready to exit this life, and go to our reward. (1 Peter 1:21; 1 Peter 1:23) Without "death", the Christian could never get any closer to God! 'Life with it's possibilities and death with it's gain- 1 Peter 1:21. (McGarvey p. 66)

'or things present, or things to come' -'Don't choose now and reject the future; all is yours!' (McGuiggan p. 54) All periods and possibilities of time BELONG TO THE CHRISTIAN. Both the present and the future "serve". useful function for the Christian. Both Present and Future contain blessings for the the child of God. (Revelation 21:5) See Romans 8:28.

Hence how "poor" the people of the world look who "live for today", but have nothing to look forward to in the future. Who grasp for every bit of life, and yet fear death. Who merely "exist" in this world because they are "slaves" of the world they were created to "use". How sad to only possess. little "slice" of life.