1 Corinthians 1:4-9 (WEL) I always express my gratitude to my God on your behalf for the grace bestowed upon you by Jesus Christ. 5 Because you were enriched in him in everything in all speech and all knowledge. 6 Just as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, 7 So that you don’t lack in any gift, while waiting for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 Who will also make you steadfast to the end, blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
V4 I always express my gratitude to my God on your behalf for the grace bestowed upon you by Jesus Christ.
Concerning the Corinthians and their salvation, Paul writes how he thanks God for them. Grace was given by God because no one deserves to be saved. Upon faith in Jesus Christ alone, God gives salvation that no one deserves; this is grace.
“Grace is always first, peace always second. This is due to the fact that grace is the source of peace. Without grace there is and can be no peace, but when grace is ours, peace must of necessity follow.” (Lenski).
V5 Because you were enriched in him in everything in all speech and all knowledge.
The Greek enriched is G4148 πλουτίζω ploutízō, which means (passive here) to be richly furnished by God. These riches are the spiritual blessing of Ephesians 1:3.
God helps us in our witnessing and apologetics by teaching us, helping our memory, giving boldness, guiding our conversations, and recalling what we have learned in the past.
V6 Just as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you,
What we preached to you has and is happening to you. We see it. It is confirmed.
V7 So that you don’t lack in any gift, while waiting for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
God gives gifts for service to fellow Christians and as a witness to glorify God. They are waiting for the return of the Lord Jesus for the church—this is the Rapture. The Second Coming of Jesus to earth will be known for the time period is 7 years (Daniel 9:26-27). The timing of the Rapture is imminence, so we must always be ready.
V8 Who will also make you steadfast to the end, blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God knows how to bring us to the end of our life and remain faithful. Compare Jude 1:24-25.
We cannot be sinless, but we can be blameless. Daily I, as most Christians, pray “God forgive me of my sins.” We do not know all the sins we commit. If we do, we can confess that specific sin and make amends with those we sinned against.
V9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
God is faithful to His promises to believers. Are we faithful to Him? If God is faithful, how are we doing?
Being faithful is shown in our relationship with our spouse, family, Christians, God’s kingdom, etc.
After we believed, we began fellowship with God’s Son Jesus. See 1 John 1:3-4 and 1 John 1:9.
We learn:
- Thankfulness for the Gospel preached and believed.
- A true Christian will have a changed life and attitude.
- God is faithful to help and protect us in our physical life on Earth.
- God wants fellowship with believers.
Questions:
- Did your life change after you believed?
- Are you faithful to God?
- Do you have fellowship with God every day?