1 Corinthians 1:6
Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
Original Language Analysis
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 8
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μαρτύριον
the testimony
G3142
μαρτύριον
the testimony
Strong's:
G3142
Word #:
3 of 8
something evidential, i.e., (genitive case) evidence given or (specially), the decalogue (in the sacred tabernacle)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 8
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
2 Timothy 1:8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;Revelation 1:2Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.1 Timothy 2:6Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.Revelation 12:17And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.Revelation 19:10And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.Acts 20:24But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.Romans 15:19Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.2 Corinthians 12:12Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
Historical Context
In a culture of competing philosophical schools, each claiming superior wisdom, Christians needed assurance that the gospel was not just another human philosophy. The manifestation of supernatural gifts (healing, prophecy, tongues, miracles) provided empirical confirmation that God was at work—though the Corinthians later confused the gifts with spiritual maturity, requiring Paul's correction in chapters 12-14.
Questions for Reflection
- How do spiritual gifts serve as confirmation of the gospel's truth rather than proof of individual superiority?
- In what ways might we mistake spiritual gifts for spiritual maturity?
- How does viewing gifts as testimony about Christ rather than about ourselves change our use of them?
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Analysis & Commentary
Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you (kathos to martyrion tou Christou ebebaiothe, καθὼς τὸ μαρτύριον τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐβεβαιώθη)—The verb bebaioo (βεβαιόω, "to confirm, establish, make firm") is legal/commercial language for guaranteeing a contract or validating testimony. The testimony of Christ (martyrion tou Christou) is the gospel message about Christ that Paul preached, which the Holy Spirit validated through spiritual gifts and transformed lives.
Paul's point: their spiritual abundance (vv. 4-5) is evidence that the gospel he preached was genuine, authenticated by divine power. This will become crucial in his later defense of apostolic authority against those claiming to follow other leaders (vv. 12-13). The gifts don't prove the Corinthians' superiority but confirm the truth of the message they received.