James Dunn summarizes the section of his Pauline theology on “Christ Crucified” by saying poignantly:
At the end of all discussion, Paul’s message as God’s ambassador on Christ’s behalf is stark. Christ’s death offers an effective response to the power of death and its sting (sin). That response itself is death. Those who choose ignore that response will find that their death is their own, as they choose, and that’s that – finis. But for those who find in Christ’s death the answer to sin and death, who identify with him in his death, there is the prospect of sharing with him also in his resurrection beyond death (233).