1 Corinthians 15:19 BSB

1 Corinthians 15:19

If our hope in Christ is for this life alone, we are to be pitied more than all men.

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable.

KJV

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

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Commentary

5 voices

Ambrose of Milan

On the Death of Satyrus 2.124 (397)

Paul says this, not because to hope in Christ is miserable but because Christ has prepared another life for those who hope in him. For this life is liable to sin. The life above is reserved for our reward.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

And is it not absurd for one who believes in Christ to admit a principle that involves so absurd an inference? Can that man have faith in Christ who can believe concerning him that he will leave his faithful servants, whether ministers or others, in a worse state than his enemies?

The Nineteenth Century3 voices

Albert Barnes

1798–1870

Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)

If in this life only we have hope in Christ - If our hope in Christ shall not be followed by the resurrection of the dead and future glory, and if all our hopes shall be disappointed. We are ... - Doddridge, Macknight, Grotius, and some others, suppose that this refers to the apostles only, and that the sense is, that if there was no resurrection, they, of all people would be most to be pitied, since they had exposed themselves to such a variety of dangers and trials, in which nothing could sustain them but the hope of immortality.

Charles Spurgeon

1834–1892

Voices on this verse

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Original language & word study

14 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
εἰ	ei	If	G1487 →
ἐν	en	in	G1722 →
τῇ	tēa	<the>	G3588 →
ζωῇ	zōēa	life	G2222 →
ταύτῃ	tautē	this	G3778 →
ἐν	en	in	G1722 →
Χριστῷ	Christō	Christ	G5547 →
ἠλπικότες	ēlpikotes	already hoping	G1679 →
ἐσμὲν	esmen	we are	G1510 →
μόνον,	monon	only,	G3441 →
ἐλεεινότεροι	eleeinoteroi	more to be pitied	G1652 →
πάντων	pantōn	than all	G3956 →
ἀνθρώπων	anthrōpōn	men	G444 →
ἐσμέν.¶	esmen	we are.	G1510 →

Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.

The walk

The walk8

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
2 Timothy 3:12
Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
leads to
- 1 Peter 3:14
  But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.”
- 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.
- 1 Peter 2:20–21
  How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
Through
2 Timothy 1:12
For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have…
leads to
- Jude 1:24
  Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you unblemished in His glorious presence, with great joy—
- 2 Timothy 1:8
  So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me, His prisoner. Instead, join me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.
- 1 Peter 4:19
  So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should entrust their souls to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
- 2 Timothy 4:8
  From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who…
Through
Revelation 14:13
And I heard a voice from heaven telling me to write, “Blessed are the dead—those who die in the Lord from this moment on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labors,…
leads to
- Revelation 20:6
  Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection! The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with Him…