1 Corinthians 15:19

If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable.

'we' -Paul, the other Apostles, AND THE CORINTHIANS!

'only hoped in Christ' -'if our hope in Christ were limited to this life only' (Phi); 'And if our hopes in Christ applied only to this life' (Nor) 'If this is all that we are, people who have cherished an illusion until the hour of their death..' (Lenski p. 658)

'all men most pitiable' -'then we are unhappy beyond all other men.' (Knox)

'Paul himself had "suffered the loss of all things" for the sake of the Christ who had appeared to him (1 Peter 3:8); what. fool he had been if Christ after all had never left the tomb!...his striving to win an imperishable wreath (1 Corinthians 9:25), would be but. hollow mockery.' (F.F. Bruce p. 145)

Point to Note:

But some will say that, 'even if Christianity turns out to be. hoax, at least you lived. good life here, at least you did some good.' PAUL WOULD DISAGREE!

'It's all very well to talk about being good even if there is no God and there's no ultimate or absolute Truth. THAT'S PIOUS TWADDLE. Without some ultimate Truth as embodied in God, there is NO GOOD AND NO NOBILITY OR HONOR IN SELF-GIVING FOR THE SELF BECOMES VALUELESS.' (McGuiggan p. 191)

CHRIST IS RAISED/THE CONSEQUENCES: