1 Corinthians 1:30

KJV

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} of {G1537} him {G846} are {G2075} ye {G5210} in {G1722} Christ {G5547} Jesus {G2424}, who {G3739} of {G575} God {G2316} is made {G1096} unto us {G2254}{G5037} wisdom {G4678}, and righteousness {G1343}, and {G2532} sanctification {G38}, and {G2532} redemption {G629}:

Complete Jewish Bible

It is his doing that you are united with the Messiah Yeshua. He has become wisdom for us from God, and righteousness and holiness and redemption as well!

Berean Standard Bible

It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.

American Standard Version

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Corinthians 1:30 profoundly declares that the believer's entire spiritual standing, identity, and provision are rooted exclusively in God through Christ Jesus. This verse serves as a climactic statement, asserting that Christ Himself embodies and bestows upon us divine wisdom, imputed righteousness, progressive sanctification, and complete redemption, thereby eliminating any basis for human pride or boasting and ensuring that all glory belongs to God alone.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse stands as the triumphant conclusion to Paul's initial argument in 1 Corinthians 1, where he contrasts human wisdom with God's divine wisdom, particularly as revealed in the "foolishness" of the cross. Paul has just explained how God deliberately chooses the "foolish," "weak," "lowly," and "despised" things of the world to shame the wise and the strong, ensuring that no human can boast in His presence ([1 Corinthians 1:26-29](/1_corinthians/1-26-29 "God's Choice of the Weak")). The Corinthian church, known for its intellectual pride and factionalism, needed this direct challenge to their self-reliance. Verse 30 directly addresses these issues by pointing to Christ as the sole, all-sufficient source of all true spiritual blessings, thus redirecting all glory to God and dismantling any basis for human boasting. It sets the stage for Paul's subsequent discussion on spiritual gifts, unity, and the nature of true Christian wisdom.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan hub, renowned for its wealth, trade, and diverse philosophical schools. Greek culture highly valued rhetoric, intellectual prowess, and philosophical debate, often leading to a sense of superiority among those who considered themselves "wise." This cultural backdrop influenced the Corinthian church, causing divisions as members aligned themselves with different teachers (Paul, Apollos, Cephas) or philosophical viewpoints, believing their intellectual understanding gave them an advantage. Paul's emphasis on God's "foolish" wisdom and the "weakness" of the cross directly challenged these prevailing cultural values and the intellectual pride that permeated the Corinthian community, asserting that true wisdom and spiritual standing come not from human achievement but from divine revelation and imputation through Christ.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes in 1 Corinthians and Pauline theology. It underscores the **sovereignty of God** as the ultimate source of salvation and spiritual provision, emphasizing that our standing is "of Him." It highlights the **centrality of Christ** as the mediator and embodiment of all spiritual blessings, contrasting with the world's reliance on human wisdom or achievement. The verse also develops the theme of **justification by faith**, asserting that our righteousness is not earned but imputed through Christ. Furthermore, it introduces the theme of **sanctification**, the ongoing process of being made holy, which is also a gift in Christ. Finally, it reinforces the crucial theme of **humility and the rejection of boasting**, which Paul introduces in [1 Corinthians 1:29](/1_corinthians/1-29 "No Boasting Before God") and reiterates in [1 Corinthians 1:31](/1_corinthians/1-31 "Boasting in the Lord"), ensuring that all glory is directed to the Lord.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **But (Greek, _dé'_):** This primary particle serves as an adversative conjunction, indicating a strong contrast or transition. Here, it introduces a pivotal statement that stands in direct opposition to the preceding discussion about human boasting and the world's perceived wisdom. It signals a shift from what humans *are not* (wise, mighty, noble in themselves) to what believers *are* in Christ, by God's doing.
* **in (Greek, _en'_):** This primary preposition denotes a fixed position, state, or instrumentality. In the phrase "in Christ Jesus," it signifies a profound spiritual union and identification. Believers are not merely *with* Christ or *like* Christ, but they are spiritually *located within* Him. This "in Christ" union is the sphere and source of all the blessings that follow, emphasizing that our spiritual reality is entirely dependent on and derived from our relationship with Him.
* **is made (Greek, _gínomai'_):** This verb means "to cause to be," "to become," or "to come into being." In this context, it highlights God's active role in bringing about Christ's identity and function for believers. Christ *becomes* or *is constituted* for us these essential spiritual realities (wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, redemption) by divine decree and action. It underscores that these provisions are not inherent in us but are sovereignly appointed and given by God through Christ.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus":** This opening clause immediately establishes the divine origin and the positional reality of the believer. "Of him" (God) asserts that our very existence and standing as believers are not self-generated but are entirely from God. The phrase "in Christ Jesus" signifies a profound spiritual union; believers are not merely associated with Christ but are spiritually integrated into Him, making Him the sphere and source of their new identity and all subsequent spiritual blessings.
* **"who of God is made unto us wisdom":** This clause introduces the first of four spiritual provisions. Christ is not merely a source of wisdom, but He *is* wisdom itself, constituted by God for our benefit. This "wisdom" is not worldly intellectual prowess but divine insight and understanding, leading to salvation and a true knowledge of God's ways, contrasting sharply with the "foolishness" of human wisdom previously discussed.
* **"and righteousness":** The second provision, "righteousness," refers to our justified standing before God. This is not a righteousness earned by human effort or obedience, but Christ's perfect righteousness, which is imputed to believers by God. Through Christ, we are declared righteous in God's sight, receiving a right standing that we could never achieve on our own.
* **"and sanctification":** The third provision, "sanctification," speaks to the process of being set apart for God's purposes and progressively made holy. In Christ, believers are positionally sanctified (set apart at conversion) and are also enabled and empowered for ongoing practical sanctification, growing in conformity to His character through the work of the Holy Spirit. Christ is the means and the goal of our holiness.
* **"and redemption":** The final provision, "redemption," signifies our complete liberation from the bondage, penalty, and power of sin and death. This freedom is secured through the payment of a ransom—Christ's sacrificial death on the cross. It encompasses past deliverance from sin's penalty, present deliverance from its power, and future deliverance from its very presence in glorification.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several potent literary devices in this concise verse. The most prominent is **Anaphora**, the repetition of the conjunction "and" ("and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption"). This repetitive structure creates a sense of accumulating blessings, emphasizing the comprehensive and multifaceted nature of Christ's provision for believers. The verse also functions as a powerful **Climax**, building from the foundational "wisdom" to the ultimate "redemption," which encompasses the full scope of salvation from beginning to end. Furthermore, Paul uses **Metaphor** by stating that Christ *is* these qualities ("is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption"), rather than merely providing them. This highlights Christ's essential identity as the embodiment of these divine attributes. Finally, the verse is framed by a strong **Contrast** with the preceding verses, using "But" to pivot from human inadequacy and boasting to God's all-sufficiency in Christ.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Corinthians 1:30 is a theological cornerstone, articulating the profound truth of the believer's complete spiritual sufficiency found exclusively in Christ. It underscores that all essential aspects of salvation—from understanding God's truth to ultimate liberation from sin—are not earned by human merit or wisdom but are divinely bestowed gifts through our union with Jesus. This truth dismantles human pride and redirects all glory to God, emphasizing that our identity, standing, and spiritual resources are entirely derived from Him and embodied in His Son. It provides a foundational understanding of both positional and progressive aspects of salvation, establishing Christ as the singular source for every spiritual need.

* [Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge")
* [Romans 3:24](/romans/3-24 "Justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus")
* [Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 1:30 offers profound assurance and a radical call to humility for every believer. It reminds us that our spiritual achievements, our perceived wisdom, or our inherent worth are entirely irrelevant to our standing before God. Everything we need for salvation, for a right relationship with God, and for a life of holiness is already fully provided and embodied in Christ Jesus. This truth liberates us from the exhausting pursuit of self-justification or the anxiety of proving our spiritual adequacy. Instead, it calls us to rest in the finished work of Christ, to embrace our identity as those "in Christ Jesus," and to live out the wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption that are already ours by divine grace. Our boasting, therefore, must never be in ourselves or our accomplishments, but solely "in the Lord," who has given us everything.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding that Christ *is* your wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption change your perspective on your own efforts or perceived shortcomings?**
* **In what areas of your life might you still be tempted to boast in yourself or rely on human wisdom, rather than fully embracing Christ as your all-sufficient provision?**
* **How can the truth of your complete identity "in Christ Jesus" empower you to live a life of greater humility, gratitude, and confidence?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean that we are "of him" in Christ Jesus?**
Answer: The phrase "of him" (Greek: *ek autou*) emphasizes that our spiritual existence and union with Christ originate entirely from God. It signifies divine initiative and sovereignty. It means that our being "in Christ Jesus" is not a result of our own striving, merit, or decision alone, but is fundamentally a gracious act of God. He is the ultimate source and author of our salvation and our new identity in His Son. This concept reinforces the idea that salvation is [by grace through faith](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Salvation by grace through faith"), not by works, so that no one can boast.

**How is Christ "made unto us" these four things: wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption?**
Answer: Christ is "made unto us" these four essential spiritual realities because God has sovereignly appointed Him to embody and impart them to believers through our union with Him. It's not that Christ *gives* us wisdom, but that He *is* our wisdom—the ultimate revelation of God's truth and purpose. Similarly, His perfect life and atoning death are the basis for our imputed righteousness, our positional and progressive sanctification, and our complete liberation from sin's power and penalty. These are not separate gifts *from* Christ, but aspects of who Christ *is* for us, fully realized in our spiritual union with Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 1:30 stands as a powerful declaration of Christ's comprehensive fulfillment of all spiritual needs, echoing themes woven throughout the New Testament. In Christ, the ultimate revelation of God's wisdom is found, contrasting sharply with the world's limited understanding, as seen in [Colossians 2:2-3](/colossians/2-2-3 "Christ, the mystery of God, in whom are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge"). He is our **righteousness**, not merely by providing a way to be declared just, but by becoming our very justification through His perfect obedience and sacrificial death, a truth profoundly expounded in [Romans 5:18-19](/romans/5-18-19 "Through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous"). Christ is also our **sanctification**, the one who sets us apart for God and progressively transforms us into His likeness, a process initiated by His Spirit and leading to holiness, as affirmed in [Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all"). Finally, He is our complete **redemption**, having paid the ultimate ransom with His own blood to free us from the bondage of sin and death, securing our eternal liberty and future glorification, a promise beautifully captured in [Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins"). Thus, in every aspect of salvation and spiritual life, Christ is not merely the means but the very embodiment of God's gracious provision, ensuring that all glory belongs to Him alone, as [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God") so clearly articulates.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ephesians 1:7

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Philippians 3:9

¶ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Romans 8:1

¶ [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 1:2

Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called [to be] saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

Ephesians 2:10

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Colossians 1:14

In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins:

John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.