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

1 CORINTHIANS 15:19KJV
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1 Corinthians 15:19 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 15:19 mean?

1 Corinthians 15:19 says that if our hope in Christ is only for benefits or comfort in this present life, and not for anything beyond it, then Christians are to be pitied more than anyone else. The verse emphasizes that faith in Christ is empty if it does not include hope for resurrection and life after death.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, addressing doubts some had about the resurrection of the dead. He argues that if Christ’s followers only expect help or happiness in this world, without the promise of resurrection, their sacrifices and struggles for their faith would make them the most unfortunate of people. The verse highlights how central the hope of eternal life is to Christian belief.

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 15:19

  • ζωή (zōē, G2222) — "life": This word refers to physical and earthly life, making it clear Paul is talking about our existence here and now, not spiritual or eternal life.
  • μόνος (monon, G3440) — "only": The Greek word stresses exclusivity, underlining that Paul is imagining a scenario where hope in Christ is limited strictly to this present life.
  • ἐλπίζω (elpizō, G1679) — "hope": This word means to expect or trust in something. Paul is pointing out that Christian hope is not just for present circumstances but is meant to reach beyond death.
  • ἐλεεινός (eleeinos, G1652) — "miserable": This word is often understood as "most to be pitied" or "most unfortunate," showing the deep loss or emptiness if resurrection is not real.

Why 1 Corinthians 15:19 matters

  • 1 Corinthians 15:19 clarifies that Christian faith is not just about present-day comfort or improvement, but is rooted in the expectation of resurrection and eternal life.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of denying the resurrection, showing that without it, the sacrifices and hardships faced by believers would be pointless.
  • This statement ties into Paul’s larger argument in 1 Corinthians 15, where he defends the reality of Christ’s resurrection as the foundation for all Christian hope.

Where else these words appear

“miserable” Greek G1652 · used in 2 verses

  • Revelation 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

“hope” Greek G1679 · used in 31 verses

  • Matthew 12:21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
  • Romans 15:24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company.
  • 1 Timothy 3:14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:

“hope” Greek G2070 · used in 51 verses

  • Mark 5:9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.
  • Romans 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
  • Galatians 4:31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

“only” Greek G3440 · used in 66 verses

  • Matthew 5:47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
  • Acts 26:29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
  • Galatians 4:18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.