1 Corinthians 15:18 Commentary and Bible Study

What is more, all the Christians who have died have perished: they have no bodily resurrection to look forward to. That would mean that death was the ultimate catastrophe, for it would mark the end of all hope. What sort of a salvation is that? There would be a great difference between Christians who still have physical life and those who have died, because the salvation they have obtained from Christ would only be effective while they managed to hang onto life in this world. What a terrible condition to be in, to have a salvation that only lasted as long as we managed to stay alive. ‘If in this life only we have hope in Christ [anticipation]’, what sort of anticipation is that? I believe in Christ, and he will bless me in life, but there's no bodily resurrection in the eternal hereafter. At best we would just be spirits drifting about in a spiritual realm, but no bodily resurrection. If that were true, says the apostle Paul, ‘we would be of all men most miserable.’ Perhaps the translation is a little strong, because what the Greek literally says is, ‘we are of all men to be most pitiable.’ Why would we be of all men the most pitiable? Because we are taught to be ready to lose our lives in this world that we may gain eternal life. We have served the Lord, and in living for him we have suffered reproach and rejection from many people. We have trimmed our sails in this life, and turned away from excesses and sensual enjoyment; we have denied ourselves pleasure and rich living, and avoided living for number one, and we are to be pitied because it is all for nothing. We are willing to suffer many losses here, because they will be compensated in the world to come. But if there is no world to come, no resurrection, no life other than in this world, then the Christian is in the sad state of losing this world for Christ’s sake, and losing the world to come as well: he misses out on both worlds. Therefore the worldling is better off than the Christian, for at least he has his pleasures in this life. When dear John Newton said, ‘Saviour, if of Zion’s city, I through grace a member am … Fading is the worldling’s pleasure, all his boasted pomp and show! Solid joys and lasting treasure, none but Zion’s children know’, it isn't true. We are to be pitied. Any sacrifice we have made, or persecution we have endured, is for nothing.