<p>15:19 <i>If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all people the most pitiable- </i>&quot;Pitiable&quot; translates 'mercy'- the ones to whom mercy should be shown. The hint could be that they needed the Gospel again preaching to them. They were as many religious people- their 'faith' was just for this life. There was no solid connection to a hope beyond the grave, in the resurrection of the body. They were indeed no better than the surrounding religious cults which they emulated.</p>