This repetition of the conclusion already stated in v. 13 shows Paul’s concern over the insidious teaching that had turned some of the Corinthian believers away from the truth about the resurrection. Satan tries to undermine faith in the resurrection in order to make it easier for men to accept the first great lie, with which he denied God’s sentence of death for disobedience (see Gen. 2:17; 3:4). If man does not really die when this earthly life comes to an end, then there is no need for a resurrection. If, on the other hand, death is a cessation of existence, then further life would be dependent upon the resurrection (see on Ps. 146:4; Eccl. 9:5, 6, 10).