There Is A Resurrection - 1 Corinthians 15-16

1 Corinthians 15:17-19 (ESV)

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

There were some in the church at Corinth who were being taught there was no resurrection of the dead.  They were worried, therefore, about those of their friends and family who had already died.  If they were believers in Christ, what did that mean, if there was no resurrection of the dead?  Paul explains to them that they are uninformed and these teachers were teaching false doctrine.  There was and is a resurrection of the dead.   But in the above argument, Paul is telling them how bad it would be if there is not a resurrection of the dead for those who believe in Christ.   It is saying our life would be most pitiful if believing in Christ was only advantageous for our walk in this world.   That is such a powerful and wondering statement at the same time.   Notice what he will eventually tell young pastor Timothy:

1 Timothy 4:8 (ESV)

for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

If we balance the two thoughts, we can conclude that Paul is not telling the Corinthians that there is no value in this life with Christ, but rather compared to the resurrection of the dead, there is nothing in this life worth living.  Our union with Christ, in this world, is substantial.  Our being able to fellowship with God, in this life, is an amazing thing.   But Paul’s point is that, if after we die nothing happens beyond this, we are most miserable people.   He wants them to know the power of the resurrection and our being with Christ in eternity.   He will eventually end this argument this way:

1 Corinthians 15:32 (ESV)

What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”

If we have conquered great things in this life but after we die, and there is no resurrection, it matters not.  But there is a resurrection and there is life after death and there is an eternity with the Father, Son and Spirit.   For this we rejoice and live with great hope.