1 Corinthians 1:7 - Exposition

So that ye come behind in no gift. The "gifts" are here the charismata, graces, such as powers of healing, etc., which were the result of the outpouring of the Spirit. The sequel shows that they were rather outward than inward; they were splendid endowments rather than spiritual fruits. Yet even these were not wholly wanting, as we see from 2 Corinthians 8:7 . The Greek may also mean "causing you not to be conscious of inferiority." Waiting ; expecting, not fearing it, This was the constant attitude of the early Christians ( Romans 8:19-25 ; Philippians 3:20 ; Hebrews 9:20 ; 1 Thessalonians 1:10 ; Colossians 3:4 ; Titus 2:13 ). Love for Christ's manifestation was a Christian characteristic ( 2 Timothy 4:8 ). The revelation. Three words are used to express the second advent: apokalypsis (as here and in 2 Thessalonians 1:7 ; 1 Peter 1:7 , 1 Peter 1:13 ); parousia (as in Matthew 24:3 , Matthew 24:27 , etc.; 1 Thessalonians 2:19 ; James 5:7 , James 5:8 , etc.); and epiphaneia, in the pastoral Epistles ( 1 Timothy 6:14 ; 2 Timothy 1:10 ; 2 Timothy 4:1-8 ; Titus 2:13 ). St. Paul, however, only uses parousia six times in 1 and 2 Thessalonians, and once in 1 Corinthians 15:23 . All Christians alike expected the return of Christ very soon, and possibly in their own lifetime ( 1 Thessalonians 1:9 , 1 Thessalonians 1:10 , etc.; 1 Corinthians 15:51 ; James 5:8 , James 5:9 ; 1 Peter 4:7 ; 1 John 2:18 ; Revelation 22:20 , etc.). Their expectation was founded on the great eschatological discourse of our Lord ( Matthew 24:29 , Matthew 24:30 , Matthew 24:34 ), and on his express promise that that generation should not pass away before his predictions were fulfilled. They were fulfilled in the fall of Jerusalem and the close of the old dispensation, though they await a stilt more universal fulfilment.