1 Corinthians 4:7

KJV

¶ For who maketh thee to differ [from another]? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive [it], why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received [it]?

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} who {G5101} maketh {G1252} thee {G4571} to differ {G1252} from another? and {G1161} what {G5101} hast thou {G2192} that {G3739} thou didst {G2983} not {G3756} receive {G2983}?{G1161} now if {G1499} thou didst receive {G2983} it, why {G5101} dost thou glory {G2744}, as {G5613} if thou hadst {G2983} not {G3361} received {G2983} it?

Complete Jewish Bible

After all, what makes you so special? What do you have that you didn’t receive as a gift? And if in fact it was a gift, why do you boast as if it weren’t?

Berean Standard Bible

For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

American Standard Version

For who maketh thee to differ? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? but if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 4:7, delivers a profound rhetorical challenge to the Corinthian believers, compelling them to confront the true source of their perceived superiority, spiritual gifts, and accomplishments. He asserts that any distinction or advantage they possess is not inherent or self-generated but is a gracious endowment from God. This foundational truth serves as a powerful antidote to pride and factionalism, demanding a posture of humility and gratitude, as boasting in what one has merely received is illogical and dishonors the Divine Giver.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment in Paul's ongoing address to the Corinthian church, which was deeply divided by factions aligning themselves with different spiritual leaders like Paul, Apollos, and Cephas. In the preceding chapters, Paul meticulously dismantles their worldly wisdom and boasting, emphasizing the foolishness of the cross and the spiritual nature of true wisdom ([1 Corinthians 1-3](/1-corinthians/1 "1 Corinthians 1-3 - Wisdom, Factions, and the Cross")). Immediately prior to this verse, Paul defines himself and Apollos not as leaders to be boasted in, but as "servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God" ([1 Corinthians 4:1](/1-corinthians/4-1 "1 Corinthians 4:1 - Stewards of God's Mysteries")). He stresses that their ultimate judgment rests with the Lord, not human opinion ([1 Corinthians 4:3-5](/1-corinthians/4-3-5 "1 Corinthians 4:3-5 - God's Judgment of Stewards")). Therefore, [1 Corinthians 4:7](/1-corinthians/4-7 "1 Corinthians 4:7 - The Source of All Gifts") directly confronts the Corinthians' self-exaltation, which was the root cause of their schisms, by exposing the illogical nature of pride in received gifts.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan hub known for its wealth, diverse population, and a strong emphasis on rhetoric, philosophy, and social status. In such an environment, personal achievement, eloquence, and perceived wisdom were highly valued and often a source of pride and competition. The Corinthian church, unfortunately, mirrored some of these cultural values, leading to internal rivalries where believers boasted about their preferred teachers, their spiritual gifts, or their perceived spiritual superiority. Paul's argument in [1 Corinthians](/1-corinthians "The First Letter to the Corinthians") directly challenges this ethos, advocating for a counter-cultural humility rooted in the understanding that all true worth and ability come from God, not from human effort or social standing.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in [1 Corinthians](/1-corinthians "The First Letter to the Corinthians") and Pauline theology. Foremost is the **Divine Source of All Gifts**, asserting that every good thing, whether natural ability, spiritual endowment, or even one's very existence, originates from God's gracious hand. This truth inherently fosters **Humility**, as it strips away any basis for human boasting or self-glory. If everything is received, then there is no ground for pride in oneself or comparison with others. This also undergirds the theme of **Stewardship, Not Ownership**, reminding believers that they are merely custodians of God's resources and abilities, entrusted to them for His purposes, not for personal aggrandizement. Finally, by dismantling the basis for individual pride, the verse implicitly promotes **Unity** within the body of Christ, as it undermines the factionalism that arises from self-exaltation and competition among believers.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **maketh...to differ (Greek, _diakrínō'_):** This word (G1252) means "to separate thoroughly," "to discriminate," or "to judge." In this context, it carries the sense of distinguishing oneself as superior or setting oneself apart from others, often with an implied sense of judgment or pride. Paul uses it to challenge the Corinthians' self-perception of being inherently better or more gifted than their fellow believers, highlighting that any such distinction is not of their own making.
* **receive (Greek, _lambánō'_):** This verb (G2983) signifies "to take," "to get hold of," or "to obtain." Here, it emphasizes the passive nature of acquisition – something is given to you, rather than earned or self-generated. The repetition of this word underscores Paul's central point: if all you possess has been "received," then it is a gift, not a personal achievement, fundamentally undermining any basis for boasting.
* **glory (Greek, _kaucháomai'_):** This term (G2744) means "to vaunt," "to boast," or "to brag," and can be used in both a good and a bad sense. In this verse, it is clearly used in a negative sense, referring to inappropriate self-exaltation. Paul questions the logic of boasting about something that was freely given, exposing the absurdity of taking credit for a divine endowment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For who maketh thee to differ [from another]?"**: Paul opens with a powerful rhetorical question, challenging the very notion of self-derived superiority. The implied answer is "no one" or "God alone." This directly confronts the Corinthian tendency to compare and boast, asking what inherent quality or action on their part made them distinct or superior to others. The implication is that any difference or advantage is not due to their own merit but to an external, divine source.
* **"and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?"**: This second rhetorical question broadens the scope, moving from "difference" to "possession." It asserts that every single thing a person "has" – whether talent, spiritual gift, knowledge, or even life itself – is not an innate possession but something that has been "received." This universal principle applies to all aspects of human existence, leaving no room for self-sufficiency or self-congratulation.
* **"now if thou didst receive [it], why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received [it]?"**: This final clause synthesizes the previous two questions into a logical conclusion, exposing the profound inconsistency and illogic of pride. If the premise is accepted that everything is a gift, then boasting ("glorying") is irrational. To "glory as if thou hadst not received it" means to act as if one earned or originated the gift, thereby taking credit that rightly belongs to the Giver. Paul highlights the absurdity of such a posture, which is both ungrateful and self-deceptive.

#### Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs several **rhetorical questions** throughout this verse, particularly "For who maketh thee to differ?" and "what hast thou that thou didst not receive?". These questions are not posed to elicit information but to provoke deep introspection and reveal an undeniable truth, leading the audience to the only logical conclusion. The verse also utilizes **hypophora**, where Paul asks a question and then immediately provides the implicit answer or the logical consequence, as seen in the progression from "what hast thou that thou didst not receive?" to "why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?". This structure effectively builds his argument. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **irony** and **sarcasm** in Paul's tone, as he highlights the sheer absurdity of the Corinthians' pride by contrasting their self-exaltation with the undeniable reality of their dependence on God. The verse also employs **contrast** between "receiving" and "glorying," underscoring the incongruity of boasting about something that was not earned.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Corinthians 4:7 serves as a foundational statement on divine sovereignty and human dependence, echoing a pervasive biblical truth that all good things originate from God. This verse challenges any notion of self-made success or inherent superiority, redirecting all praise and glory to the Creator. Theologically, it undergirds the doctrine of grace, emphasizing that salvation, spiritual gifts, and every blessing are unmerited favors, not achievements. This truth is essential for fostering true humility, combating pride, and promoting unity within the body of Christ, as it reminds every believer that their standing and abilities are solely by divine endowment.

* [James 1:17](/james/1-17 "James 1:17 - Every Good and Perfect Gift")
* [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Saved by Grace Through Faith")
* [Romans 12:6](/romans/12-6 "Romans 12:6 - Diversity of Gifts According to Grace")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 4:7 is a timeless mirror, reflecting back to us the true source of all our blessings and challenging our innate human tendency towards pride and self-sufficiency. In a world that champions individual achievement, self-made success, and personal branding, this verse radically reorients our perspective. It calls us to a profound and continuous posture of gratitude, recognizing that our talents, opportunities, spiritual gifts, and even our very breath are not earned entitlements but gracious endowments from a benevolent God. This understanding should dismantle any basis for boasting, envy, or comparison, fostering instead a deep humility that acknowledges our utter dependence on God. When we truly grasp that everything we have is a gift, our impulse shifts from self-aggrandizement to glorifying the Giver, leading to a life lived in humble service and joyful stewardship of what has been entrusted to us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific "gifts" (talents, opportunities, spiritual abilities, material possessions) in your life do you tend to take credit for, rather than acknowledging as received from God?**
* **How might a deeper understanding of 1 Corinthians 4:7 transform your interactions with others, particularly in areas of comparison or competition?**
* **In what ways can recognizing God as the ultimate Giver lead to greater humility and gratitude in your daily life?**

### FAQ
**How does this verse relate to the concept of earning one's salvation or spiritual merit?**

Answer: 1 Corinthians 4:7 directly contradicts any idea that salvation or spiritual merit can be earned through human effort or inherent worth. The verse's core argument, "what hast thou that thou didst not receive?", emphasizes that everything good, including spiritual standing and gifts, is a divine endowment. This aligns perfectly with the biblical doctrine of grace, which teaches that salvation is a free gift from God, not something we achieve through works ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Saved by Grace Through Faith")). Our spiritual life, from justification to sanctification and the exercise of spiritual gifts, is entirely dependent on God's initiative and provision. Therefore, boasting in one's spiritual state or accomplishments is illogical and unbiblical, as it denies the gracious source of all blessings.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 4:7, while directly addressing the Corinthian believers' pride in their received gifts, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. Firstly, Jesus Christ Himself is the ultimate embodiment of receiving all from the Father and yet never boasting in a self-serving way, but always glorifying the Father ([John 5:19](/john/5-19 "John 5:19 - The Son Can Do Nothing of Himself")). He "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humility")), demonstrating the very humility Paul calls for. Secondly, all the spiritual gifts and blessings we receive are "in Christ" ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")) and are distributed by the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of Christ ([1 Corinthians 12:4-11](/1-corinthians/12-4-11 "1 Corinthians 12:4-11 - Diversity of Gifts from the Same Spirit")). Our very identity as children of God is a received gift through faith in Him ([John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Receiving Christ and Becoming Children of God")). Therefore, when we boast, we are not only denying God as the Giver but also diminishing the work of Christ, through whom all these blessings flow. The humble recognition that all we have is from God, received through Christ, leads us to live not for our own glory, but for the glory of Him who gave Himself for us ([2 Corinthians 5:15](/2-corinthians/5-15 "2 Corinthians 5:15 - Living for Christ")).

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

John 3:27

John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.

1 Peter 4:10

As every man hath received the gift, [even so] minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

1 Chronicles 29:11

Thine, O LORD, [is] the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all [that is] in the heaven and in the earth [is thine]; thine [is] the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.

1 Chronicles 29:16

O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name [cometh] of thine hand, and [is] all thine own.

Romans 12:6

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith;

John 1:16

And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.