1 Corinthians 1:4-9·~1 min

Thanksgiving

Paul continually thanks God for the grace given to the Corinthians in Christ Jesus, because they have been enriched in speech and knowledge and do not lack any gift as they wait for the Lord's appearing. He adds that Christ will sustain them to the end, because the God who called them into fellowship with his Son is faithful.

I⁴ always thank my God for you because of the grace He has given you in Christ Jesus. ⁵For in Him you have been enriched in every way, in all speech and all knowledge, ⁶because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. ⁷Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly await the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁸He will sustain you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

Section summaryPaul thanks God for the grace already given to the Corinthians and names how richly they have been endowed in speech, knowledge, and spiritual gifts. Even before he addresses their failures, he begins by recognizing that God has truly worked among them and will sustain them to the end.

Role in the chapterThis section steadies the letter before its rebukes begin. It acknowledges real grace in Corinth and roots their future not in their strength but in God's faithfulness.