Why would Paul say this?
Because if Christianity is false, he and I are propagating a lie?
Because a lack of an afterlife is depressing and sad?
Because Christ isn't supposed to be our hope for this life?
No.
No.
And no.
For the first option, the logic works, but furthering a lie would not be a reason to be "pitied more than all men". It would be a reason to called a liar and person of low moral character, but not to be pitied.
For the second option, a lack of an afterlife would be bad news for everybody, not just Christ-followers, so it too fails to qualify on the superlative-"all men" level.
For the third, no, that's just blasphemous. Come on now.
I think Paul is getting at something else here. He is telling the Corinthians they should be pitied more than all men because the way they have been called to live their lives.
The Christian life is one of total sacrifice. Paul lived a life of radical sacrifice, physically, mentally, socially, financially. And the fact he uses the plural pronoun, "we", rather than the singular, "I", shows he is expecting such sacrifice out of the Corinthians as well, not just out of those who are Apostles.
They are not to be pitied because there hopes and dreams fell short, they are the be pitied because they are people who gave up everything, who lived their life to serve others, and who humbled themselves for no good reason.
Paul is expecting a life of whole surrender from followers of Christ. A life where nothing is kept back for yourself, where nothing is "mine" but absolutely everything is offered to Christ for his use and his glory.
This life is challenging.
This life is serious.
But it's not risky.
Because Christ was raised, His promises are true, and when I stand before Him I won't regret the things I gave up, I'll only regret that I couldn't give him more.
So let's live like it's true. Let's give Him all.
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