1 Corinthians 1:5
That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
Original Language Analysis
ὅτι
That
G3754
ὅτι
That
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
1 of 12
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 12
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
λόγῳ
utterance
G3056
λόγῳ
utterance
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
9 of 12
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
Cross References
2 Corinthians 9:11Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.2 Corinthians 8:7Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.Colossians 2:3In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.Philippians 1:9And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;Romans 15:14And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.James 3:13Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.Colossians 3:10And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:Ephesians 1:17That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:Ephesians 6:19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,1 Corinthians 12:8For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
Historical Context
Corinth prided itself on rhetoric and philosophy. The city hosted famous schools of sophistry where orators competed for students and patrons. Many Corinthians brought this competitive, wisdom-obsessed culture into the church, treating the gospel as another philosophy to be mastered and eloquently defended. Paul will systematically dismantle this worldview by proclaiming the cross as God's foolish-yet-wise counter-wisdom.
Questions for Reflection
- How can spiritual gifts (eloquence, knowledge, insight) become sources of pride rather than instruments of service?
- In what ways might modern Christian culture mirror Corinth's obsession with eloquence and sophisticated theology?
- How does recognizing that we are "enriched by Him" change our attitude toward our abilities and insights?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge (en panti eploutisthete, ἐν παντὶ ἐπλουτίσθητε)—The verb ploutizo (πλουτίζω, "to make rich") is in the passive voice, emphasizing that God enriched them; they did not enrich themselves. In all utterance (panti logo, παντὶ λόγῳ) and in all knowledge (pase gnosei, πάσῃ γνώσει) refer to the Corinthians' abundance of spiritual gifts, particularly prophecy, teaching, and revelation.
Ironically, Paul will spend much of this letter correcting their misuse of these very gifts. Their logos (speech) has become factional rhetoric rather than gospel proclamation, and their gnosis (knowledge) has puffed them up rather than built them up (8:1). True enrichment is by Christ, not by eloquent philosophy or esoteric wisdom—a theme Paul develops in 1:17-2:16.