New International Version If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. New Living Translation And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. English Standard Version If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. Berean Standard Bible If our hope in Christ is for this life alone, we are to be pitied more than all men. Berean Literal Bible If only in this life we are having hope in Christ, we are more to be pitied than all men. King James Bible If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. New King James Version If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. New American Standard Bible If we have hoped in Christ only in this life, we are of all people most to be pitied. NASB 1995 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. NASB 1977 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. Legacy Standard Bible If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. Amplified Bible If we who are [abiding] in Christ have hoped only in this life [and this is all there is], then we are of all people most miserable and to be pitied. Berean Annotated Bible If our hope in Christ (the Anointed One) is for this life alone, we are to be pitied more than all men. Christian Standard Bible If we have put our hope in Christ for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone. Holman Christian Standard Bible If we have put our hope in Christ for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone. American Standard Version If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable. Contemporary English Version If our hope in Christ is good only for this life, we are worse off than anyone else. English Revised Version If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most pitiable. GOD'S WORD® Translation If Christ is our hope in this life only, we deserve more pity than any other people. Good News Translation If our hope in Christ is good for this life only and no more, then we deserve more pity than anyone else in all the world. International Standard Version If we have set our hopes on the Messiah in this life only, we deserve more pity than any other people. NET Bible For if only in this life we have hope in Christ, we should be pitied more than anyone. New Heart English Bible If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all people most to be pitied. Webster's Bible Translation If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. Weymouth New Testament If in this present life we have a *hope* resting on Christ, and nothing more, we are more to be pitied than all the rest of the world. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleIf our hope in Christ is for this life alone, we are to be pitied more than all men. World English Bible If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionif we only have hope in Christ in this life, we are to be most pitied of all men. Berean Literal Bible If only in this life we are having hope in Christ, we are more to be pitied than all men. Young's Literal Translation if in this life we have hope in Christ only, of all men we are most to be pitied. Smith's Literal Translation If in this life only we have been hoping in Christ, we are more to be compassionated than all men. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIf in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. Catholic Public Domain Version If we have hope in Christ for this life only, then we are more miserable than all men. New American Bible If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all. New Revised Standard Version If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIf in this life only we have hope in Christ, then we are of all men most miserable. Aramaic Bible in Plain English And if in this life only we hope in The Messiah, so it is that we are more wretched than all people. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentIf in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most miserable. Godbey New Testament If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. Haweis New Testament If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are more miserable than all other men. Mace New Testament if our expectations as christians all terminate in this life, we of all men are most to be pitied. Weymouth New Testament If in this present life we have a *hope* resting on Christ, and nothing more, we are more to be pitied than all the rest of the world. Worrell New Testament If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most pitiable! Worsley New Testament If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Resurrection of the Dead…18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19If our hope in Christ is for this life alone, we are to be pitied more than all men. 20But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.… Cross References If our hope in Christ Ephesians 1:12-13 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory. / And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 1 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, Colossians 1:27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. is for this life alone, Romans 8:24-25 For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? / But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently. 2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Hebrews 11:13-16 All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. / Now those who say such things show that they are seeking a country of their own. / If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. … we are to be pitied Hebrews 10:32-34 Remember the early days that you were in the light. In those days, you endured a great conflict in the face of suffering. / Sometimes you were publicly exposed to ridicule and persecution; at other times you were partners with those who were so treated. / You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession. 2 Corinthians 4:8-11 We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; / persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. / We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. … 1 Peter 4:12-16 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. / But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory. / If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. … more than all men. 1 Corinthians 4:9-13 For it seems to me that God has displayed us apostles at the end of the procession, like prisoners appointed for death. We have become a spectacle to the whole world, to angels as well as to men. / We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored. / To this very hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. … 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 Are they servants of Christ? (I am speaking as if I were out of my mind.) I am so much more: in harder labor, in more imprisonments, in worse beatings, in frequent danger of death. / Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. / Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea. … Romans 8:36-37 As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” / No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Philippians 3:20-21 But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, / who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body. Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us. 1 Peter 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, / and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. / So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. Treasury of Scripture If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. this. Psalm 17:14 From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. Ecclesiastes 6:11 Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better? Ecclesiastes 9:9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. hope. Ephesians 1:12,13 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ… 1 Thessalonians 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; 2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. of all. 1 Corinthians 4:9-13 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men… Matthew 10:21-25 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death… Matthew 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. Jump to Previous Christ Hope Hoped Life Miserable Pitied Present Rest Resting Unhappy WorldJump to Next Christ Hope Hoped Life Miserable Pitied Present Rest Resting Unhappy World1 Corinthians 15 1. By Christ's resurrection,12. he proves the necessity of our resurrection, 16. against all such as deny the resurrection of the body. 21. The fruit, 35. and the manner thereof; 51. and of the resurrection of those who shall be found alive at the last day. If our hope in Christ If our hope in Christ rests only on present blessings, His saving work would offer no final answer to death. Paul’s argument rests on Jesus’ historical resurrection, which guarantees the future resurrection of all who belong to Him. Eph 1:12-13 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ,… is for this life alone, Christianity would be reduced to temporary comfort in a world marked by suffering, loss, and death. Yet Christ promised eternal life, and His resurrection establishes that death will not have the final word. Rom 8:24-25 For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen… we are to be pitied If the dead are not raised, Christians are to be pitied because the apostles and early believers endured rejection, hardship, and persecution for a message that would be empty. Their sacrifices would be senseless if Christ had not conquered death. Heb 10:32-34 Remember the early days that you were in the light.… more than all men. Believers often forgo worldly advantage because they live in expectation of God’s future kingdom. Without resurrection, that hope would be vain; but Christ’s resurrection assures that faith, suffering, and service are not wasted. 1Co 4:9-13 For it seems to me that God has displayed us apostles… Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of 1 Corinthians, Paul is addressing the church in Corinth, providing theological insights and practical guidance. 2. Corinth A major city in ancient Greece, known for its diverse population and cultural influences, which often led to moral and spiritual challenges for the early church. 3. The Resurrection The central event in Christian theology, affirming Jesus Christ's victory over death and the promise of eternal life for believers. 4. The Corinthian Church The recipients of Paul's letter, struggling with issues of doctrine, morality, and unity, particularly concerning the resurrection of the dead. 5. Hope in Christ The expectation and assurance of eternal life and resurrection, which is a foundational aspect of Christian faith. Teaching Points Eternal PerspectiveOur hope in Christ should not be limited to this life. The resurrection assures us of eternal life, which should shape our priorities and decisions. The Pitfall of Earthly Focus If our faith is only for earthly benefits, we miss the true essence of the Gospel. Our lives should reflect the eternal hope we have in Christ. Living with Hope The assurance of resurrection should inspire us to live boldly and sacrificially, knowing that our ultimate reward is in heaven. Encouragement in Trials Understanding that our hope is not confined to this life provides comfort and strength during trials and suffering. Witness to the World Our hope in the resurrection should be evident to others, serving as a testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 15:19?2. How does 1 Corinthians 15:19 shape our understanding of hope in Christ? 3. What does "most to be pitied" reveal about the importance of the resurrection? 4. How can we apply the hope of resurrection in our daily lives? 5. Connect 1 Corinthians 15:19 with other scriptures about eternal hope in Christ. 6. Why is earthly hope insufficient according to 1 Corinthians 15:19? 7. What does 1 Corinthians 15:19 imply about hope beyond this life? 8. How does 1 Corinthians 15:19 challenge materialistic worldviews? 9. Why is resurrection central to the message of 1 Corinthians 15:19? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 15? Verse 19. - If in this life only we have hope in Christ. The word to which "in Christ" should be joined is uncertain; the order st the original is, "If in this life in Christ we have hoped only." The "only" seems therefore to qualify the whole sentence: "If we have merely hoped in Christ, and that only in this life." We are of all men most miserable; literally, we are more pitiable than all men. The remark only has an absolute bearing when Christians really are suffering from persecutions, as they did in St. Paul's day (2 Corinthians 1:5; 2 Timothy 3:12). But to some extent all Christians have to bear their cross, and if all that they give up and suffer is sacrificed to a delusion, they deserve most pity in one sense, because they have been most conspicuously befooled. In another sense they are still the happiest of men; for their delusion, judged by its fruits, is more blessed than the dreary blank which is the only alternative. 1 Corinthians 15:19 exposes the bankruptcy of a purely here-and-now faith. If Christ’s resurrection were myth, Christian sacrifices would make us the world’s sorriest people. But the next verse seals the argument: the tomb is empty, and our hope is eternal. Live boldly, confident that every cost incurred for Jesus will echo forever. Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Ifεἰ (ei) Conjunction Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. our ἐσμὲν (esmen) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. hope ἠλπικότες (ēlpikotes) Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 1679: To hope, hope for, expect, trust. From elpis; to expect or confide. in ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. Christ Χριστῷ (Christō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus. [is] for ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. this ταύτῃ (tautē) Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it. life ζωῇ (zōē) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 2222: Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life. alone, μόνον (monon) Adverb Strong's 3440: Alone, but, only. Neuter of monos as adverb; merely. we are ἐσμέν (esmen) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. to be pitied more ἐλεεινότεροι (eleeinoteroi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural - Comparative Strong's 1652: Merciful, pitiful, miserable. From eleos; pitiable. than all πάντων (pantōn) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. men. ἀνθρώπων (anthrōpōn) Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. Additonal Resources 1 Corinthians 15:19 Blue Letter Bible1 Corinthians 15:19 Bible Gateway 1 Corinthians 15:19 Bible.com 1 Corinthians 15:19 NIV |
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