In this passage, Paul asks three rhetorical questions to confront the Corinthian problem. The questions are simply stated who, what and why. The first concerned the problem of being “puffed up” (verse 6). Their false judgments, made beyond Scripture, caused them to think themselves superior. The second rhetorical question is designed to force the answer, “nothing,” and thus point to grace alone. What beneficial gifts they had were given by God. This sets up the third question, “why do you boast”? The word “received” is found three times in this verse, showing that it is thematic. Whatever claim of spiritual superiority anyone would make within the church, amounts to boasting which should never be. Recipients of grace have nothing to boast about and other than the Lord Himself who should be honored for His mercy and love. In application we point the gospel of grace as revealed in Ephesians 2:8-9. Salvation is a gift of God given to dead sinners through the means of the preaching of the gospel. We give other passages in application which point to boasting only in the Lord and never allowing ourselves pride or self-promotion.