“I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge…” 1 Corinthians 1:4-5
“Grace” is God’s generous mercy toward undeserving people. God’s free and undeserved favor toward sinful humanity is demonstrated in Christ’s work of redemption. It is an unearned and undeserved gift. This is certainly a weighty teaching for Paul.
“Enriched in Him” … usually Paul speaks of God’s riches, but here God causes His people to share in His wealth of “all speech and all knowledge.”
Paul highlights the strengths of the congregation, strengths God extends to all believers by His grace.
The thanksgiving Paul offers to God for the Corinthians seems odd, considering the many problems the church was experiencing. However, Paul focuses his praise not on the troubled Corinthians but on the eternally faithful God. Paul does not praise the Corinthians for their good works as he does some other churches; instead, he praises God who works in them. When we focus on people’s faults, hope soon wanes and discouragement follows. But when we concentrate on the Lord, even the darkest hours can be filled with praise.
God’s blessing on your day…