The phrase in this life only
is key to understanding this verse. As followers of Christ we willingly endure suffering in this life, because our hope is in the life to come. However, if Christ has not been raised, then our hopes will be dashed as soon as we die. We will have served and suffered for a dead leader, and that will be the end of it. Having built our lives on a great but false hope, we will be of all people most to be pitied.
In 1 Corinthians 15:13–19 Paul used seven conditional (if
) sentences to highlight the terrible implications of denying the resurrection. Now he will take his argument into a new, positive direction.
19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.