4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; 5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; 6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: 7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: 8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:4-9 KJV)
Spiritual Gifts at Corinth
Paul then gives thanks to God for the Corinthian believers, a practice he follows in most of his letters. Praying and giving thanks for others is a true expression of Christian love. He thanks God first for their conversion: “For the grace given you in Christ Jesus” (1 Corinthians 1:4). Through faith and by sharing in Christ’s Spirit and merit, believers receive God’s favor.
He also thanks God for their spiritual gifts. The Corinthian church abounded in gifts and lacked nothing (1 Corinthians 1:7). He highlights speech and knowledge (v. 5). Some may have eloquence without true knowledge, while others may have knowledge but lack the ability to communicate it. Where both are present, a person can be especially useful. These gifts were signs that confirmed the truth of the gospel and served as evidence of Christ’s testimony among them (v. 6).
God used such gifts to confirm the apostles’ message (Hebrews 2:4). Therefore, the richer the gifts in a church, the stronger their confirmation of the Christian message. Given this, it’s no surprise that they were “eagerly waiting for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed” (v. 7). This is a hallmark of true Christians: faith in and preparation for Christ’s return. The stronger our faith, the more eager our hope for His coming.
Paul expresses hope for their future, rooted in Christ’s power and God’s faithfulness (1 Corinthians 1:8-9). He who began the work in them would carry it through. Those who wait for Christ’s return will be kept by Him and remain firm to the end, blameless on the day of His return—not through strict justice, but by grace. How wonderful to be preserved by Christ and appear without blame on that day!
This is possible because of God’s faithfulness. “He who calls you is faithful; he will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24). Those brought into fellowship with Christ can trust Him with their deepest concerns. If we are faithful to God, He will never be unfaithful to us. “I will not take my love from him, nor will I ever betray my faithfulness” (Psalm 89:33).