1 Corinthians 15:19

expresses the infinite bitterness of such a deception. In the right order of words (see txtl. note), μόνον is attached to ἠλπικότες (cf. Luke 24:21): “If in this life we have only had hope in Christ” no present deliverance from sin, no future inheritance in heaven “we are more than all men to be pitied”. for a hope without legitimate basis or ultimate fruition, Christians have sacrificed all material good! (cf. 1Co 15:30 ff., 1 Corinthians 4:11 ff.; Hebrews 10:32-39; Luke 18:22, etc.). ἠλπικότες ἐσμὲν = ἠλπίκαμεν (1 Timothy 4:10), with stress laid on the actual condition of those who have formed this futile hope. ἐν Χριστῷ points to Christ as the ground of Christian hope (cf. Philippians 2:19). ἐν τῇ ζωῇ ταύτῃ brings to mind all that the Christian forfeits here and now losing “this life” for the vain promise of another, letting earth go in grasping at a fancied heaven; no wonder the world pities us! Ed [2333] ad loc [2334] answers well the censure passed on the Ap., as though he made the worth of goodness depend on its future reward: (1) P. does not say “we are more worthless ” a good man may be very “pitiable,” and all the more because of his worth; (2) on Paul's hypothesis (1 Corinthians 15:17), moral character is undermined, while future happiness is destroyed, by denial of the Resurrection.

[2333] T. C. Edwards' Commentary on the First Ep. to the Corinthians. 2

[2334] ad locum, on this passage.