1 Corinthians 15:19 – “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of
all men the most pitiable.”
Paul is dealing with the core teaching of Christianity in chapter 15 that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day (vv.3,4). There was a segment of the Corinthian church that did not believe in the resurrection (v.12). Hence, Paul’s assertion in our text today that if we have hope in this life only, we are to be pitied. Heaven matters to us. There is an eternal reward awaiting us. This hope has an immediate impact upon us in this life. There are two mentioned in this chapter that I would like to highlight.
The first one is subtle. It is found in verse 3: “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received…” We must deliver that which we have received. You didn’t get it to keep it. You received it that you might pass it on. This is a responsibility we have while we are on this earth. This teaching is critical in light of Paul’s doctrine concerning the afterlife. May we breathe our last breath having left it all here for others. What have you received that needs to be passed on?
The second one is found in verse 10: “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” We are recipients of great grace. His grace is meant to transform us and should cause us to “labor more abundantly.” However, I have seen in the body of Christ a grace that makes people lazy. This is not the intention of grace. Another version translates verse 10 this way: “His grace to me was not without effect.” How has the grace of God affected you? How has it impacted you? How has it changed you?