19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.
19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
19 If in Christ we have hope
19 If all we get out of Christ is a little inspiration for a few short years, we're a pretty sorry lot.
19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.
19 And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:19
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:12-19
(Read 1 Corinthians 15:12-19)
Having shown that Christ was risen, the apostle answers those who said there would be no resurrection. There had been no justification, or salvation, if Christ had not risen. And must not faith in Christ be vain, and of no use, if he is still among the dead? The proof of the resurrection of the body is the resurrection of our Lord. Even those who died in the faith, had perished in their sins, if Christ had not risen. All who believe in Christ, have hope in him, as a Redeemer; hope for redemption and salvation by him; but if there is no resurrection, or future recompence, their hope in him can only be as to this life. And they must be in a worse condition than the rest of mankind, especially at the time, and under the circumstances, in which the apostles wrote; for then Christians were hated and persecuted by all men. But it is not so; they, of all men, enjoy solid comforts amidst all their difficulties and trials, even in the times of the sharpest persecution.