1 Corinthians 15:10 is a very powerful verse as Paul is retelling Christ's resurrection and the order in which he appeared to people. Paul retells how he was not born at the time in which Christ was resurrected but Christ still appeared to Paul (even though Paul was persecuting Christians). Paul says in verse 10 "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain." This means Paul recognizes that he made huge mistakes and bad choices before Christ appeared to him, but "I am what I am" signifies how Paul's past does not keep him from serving God. And when he says "His grace was not in vain" he is saying that God's grace wasn't wasted. If Paul had ignored seeing Christ and not doing what he was told, then Christ speaking to Paul would have been wasted. I ask you, what is God try to tell you but you are not listening?
Paul also points out an issue with a belief versus the truth. It was believed by the Corinthians that the dead could not be raised, but they overlooked that fact that Christ was raised from the dead. If the dead could not be raised then that makes the faith in Christ null and void and a fallacy. Paul points out that if there is no resurrection then we have no Heaven, no afterlife and we should be pitied (1 Corinthians 15:19).
Lastly, 1 Corinthians 15 ends with a reminder to believers, not just Corinthians. Paul says "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58)." He is endearing to them while encouraging them to stay strong and unable to be moved in doing work for the Lord knowing that the work is not in vain.
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