What Does 1 Corinthians 15:19 Mean?

If in this life only we have hope in Christ (εἰ ἐν τῇ ζωῇ ταύτῃ ἐν Χριστῷ ἠλπικότες ἐσμέν μόνον)—The perfect participle ēlpikotes (ἠλπικότες, "having hoped") with monon (μόνον, "only") indicates hope confined to earthly existence. If Christianity offers merely improved mortality—better ethics, religious feelings, community—without defeating death, it's pathetic.

We are of all men most miserable (ἐλεεινότεροι πάντων ἀνθρώπων ἐσμέν)—The comparative adjective eleeinoteroi (ἐλεεινότεροι, "more pitiable") is striking. Christians sacrifice worldly pleasures, face persecution, die as martyrs—for what? If death ends all, believers are deluded fools, deserving pity. Paul's logic: Christianity is either gloriously true or pathetically false. There's no middle ground where it's "helpful though not literally true." Resurrection is the linchpin.