1 Corinthians 1:4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

We have here the apostle's preface to his whole epistle, in which we may take notice, I. Of the inscription, in which, according to the custom of writing letters then, the name of the person by whom it was written and the persons to whom it was written are both inserted. 1. It is an epistle from Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles, to the church of Corinth, which he himself had planted, though there were some among them that now questioned his apostleship (1 Cor. 9:1, 2), and vilified his person... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:4-9

1:4-9 Always I thank my God for you, for the grace of God which has been given to you in Christ Jesus. I have good reason to do so, because in him you have been enriched in everything, in every form of speech and in every form of knowledge, inasmuch as what we promised you that Christ could do for his people has been proved to be true in you. The result is that there is no spiritual gift in which you lag behind, while you eagerly wait for the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will keep... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:4

I thank my God always on your behalf ,.... Now follows a thanksgiving for various blessings bestowed upon this church, which is a proof of the apostle's great affection for it, and how much its welfare lay at his heart. The object of thanksgiving is God, for as he is the author of all mercies, the glory and praise of them ought to be given to him. The apostle styles him "my God", to distinguish him from others; and to express his faith of interest in him; and to observe to this church, that... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:4

For the grace - which is given you - Not only their calling to be saints, and to be sanctified in Christ Jesus; but for the various spiritual gifts which they had received, as specified in the succeeding verses. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:4

Verse 4 4.I give thanks to my God. Having in the salutation secured for himself authority from the station assigned him, he now endeavors to procure favor for his doctrine, by expressing his affection for them. In this way he soothes their minds beforehand, that they may listen patiently to his reproofs. (45) He persuades them of his affection for them by the following tokens — his discovering as much joy in the benefits bestowed upon them, as if they had been conferred upon himself; and his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

St. Paul and the apostleship. First of all, HE ASSERTS THE DIVINE AUTHORITY OF HIS OFFICE , to which he was "called though the will of God." This pro found sense of the dignity belonging to his vocation, as one sent of God, was a supreme principle of his nature; not an opinion, but a conviction, and a conviction too strong to be dislodged from its central seat in his mind by any assault of adverse circumstances. It must needs be subjected to manifold and severe tests, ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

The approach to rebuke. The occasion of this letter was largely furnished by the need of rebuke. The Corinthian Church had erred grievously. To rebuke is frequently painful, but when called for it should not be shrunk from; not to rebuke under such circumstances is unalloyed cruelty. To rebuke, often painful, is always perilous. By maladroitness we may easily drive men from the right instead of drawing them to it. Unwise rebuke adds to the ill. We need to prepare for rebuke if when... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Paul's claim to apostleship. The personal appearance and characteristic disposition of Paul, with the particular circumstances which led to the writing of this letter, and roused intense personal feeling, form a fitting introduction. Paul blends Sosthenes with himself in the salutation, partly because of this man's connection with Corinth (see Acts 18:17 ), partly as an answer to those who charged him with making too much of himself and his apostolic rights. By associating this name in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:1-31

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:4

I thank my God. It is probable, from papyrus rolls in the British Museum, that the general form and outline of letters was more or less conventional. In St. Paul, however, this thanksgiving is the natural overflow of a full heart. It was no mere compliment or rhetorical artifice like the captatio benevolentiae, or endeavouring to win the hearers by flattery, which we find in most ancient speeches. My God ( Romans 1:8 ). Always ; that is, constantly; on all occasions of special... read more

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