(Don't Groan) Pascal's Wager and St. Paul?

Question

If Paul didn't believe in it, declaring to the contrary that:
"If for this life only we have believed in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied" (I Cor 15:19)

then why is it still in circulation?
Atheists don't accept it,
and Christians should see it as unbiblical.

Can nothing kill the wretched thing off, or will generations of the uninformed evermore wield it like some magic sword?

(Those inclined may drink. Mine's a Bulmer's cider.)

Answer 1

If Pascal's Wager is true, doesn't that mean that God wants disingenuous people who only claim to believe in him to avoid punishment?
*drinks from the quad shot latte of truth- thanks*

Answer 2

no by this life he means this life, not the next. The passage as a whole is a brilliant false argument upon false argument by the way:

"12But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men."

this all seems awfully familiar of how many Christians argue. The next passage however is not:

"20But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27For he "has put everything under his feet."[c] Now when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all."

Paul clearly believes the dead will only rise after the return of Christ, and he also believes that Christ is lower in rank than God, so he does not seem to believe in the trinity. So arguing from the Bible with most Christians is pointless, as most Christians believe in the Nicene creed, not in the Bible.

Answer 3

Yayyy a coffee break...**sips**