


1 Corinthians 1:4
Bible Versions
I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
I thank my God always for you because of God’s love and kindness given to you through the Messiah Yeshua,
I always thank my God for you because of the grace He has given you in Christ Jesus.
I thank my God always concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus;
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Romans 1:8
¶ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. -
John 14:26
But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. -
Romans 6:17
But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. -
John 15:26
¶ But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: -
John 14:16
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; -
1 Timothy 1:14
And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. -
Acts 11:23
Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
In 1 Corinthians 1:4, the Apostle Paul opens his first letter to the church in Corinth with a heartfelt expression of gratitude. This verse sets a positive and grace-filled tone, as Paul thanks God for the spiritual blessings bestowed upon the Corinthian believers through Jesus Christ, even before addressing the significant challenges and divisions within their community.
Context
This verse initiates Paul's correspondence with the church in Corinth, a prominent and culturally diverse city in ancient Greece known for its commerce and, at times, its moral complexities. Despite the numerous issues Paul would later confront in this letter—including factions, immorality, and theological disputes—he begins by affirming God's gracious work among them. This strategic opening highlights Paul's pastoral approach: to acknowledge God's faithfulness and the spiritual gifts present in the church before offering correction. It reminds the Corinthians, and us, of the divine foundation upon which their faith was built, rooted in the unmerited favor of God given through Jesus Christ.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word translated as "grace" in this verse is charis (χάρις). This term denotes unmerited favor, kindness, or a gift freely bestowed. In a theological context, it refers to God's self-giving love and mercy extended to humanity despite our unworthiness. Paul's use of charis here emphasizes that the spiritual gifts and blessings received by the Corinthians were not a result of their own merit or effort, but purely a generous divine endowment.
Practical Application
1 Corinthians 1:4 offers profound insights for believers today: