One of the reasons that the doctrine of the resurrection is important is that it
is a kind of bridge between three different elements of our personhood. It is intellectual, of the mind. It is physical, of the body. And it is emotional, of the heart. The idea of resurrection is an idea (an abstraction), but it is an idea about the physical body. If it is true, there is a physical element to it. And it produces the emotions of hope or pity. Paul's argument is that if the doctrine of the resurrection is not true, then those who believe it are the most pitiful people in the world. Why? Because resurrection is about the ultimate state of our being, and if we are deluded about that then we are ultimately deluded -- and beyond hope.