1 Corinthians 15:10

Authorized King James Version

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Word-by-Word Analysis

χάρις

G5485

by the grace

graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart

δὲ

G1161

But

but, and, etc

θεοῦ

G2316

of God

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

εἰμι

G1510

I am

i exist (used only when emphatic)

ὅ

G3739

what

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

εἰμι

G1510

I am

i exist (used only when emphatic)

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἡ

G3588

which

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χάρις

G5485

by the grace

graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart

#10

αὐτῶν

G846

his

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

#11

ἡ

G3588

which

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#12

εἰς

G1519

which was bestowed upon

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

#13

ἐμὲ

G1691

#14

οὐκ

G3756

not

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

#15

κενὴ

G2756

in vain

empty (literally or figuratively)

#16

ἐγενήθη

G1096

was

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

#17

ἀλλ'

G235

but

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

#18

περισσότερον

G4053

superabundant (in quantity) or superior (in quality); by implication, excessive; adverbially (with g1537) violently; neuter (as noun) preeminence

#19

αὐτῶν

G846

his

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

#20

πάντων

G3956

than they all

all, any, every, the whole

#21

ἐκοπίασα

G2872

I laboured

to feel fatigue; by implication, to work hard

#22

οὐκ

G3756

not

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

#23

ἐγὼ

G1473

i, me

#24

δὲ

G1161

But

but, and, etc

#25

ἀλλ'

G235

but

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

#26

ἡ

G3588

which

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#27

χάρις

G5485

by the grace

graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart

#28

ἡ

G3588

which

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#29

θεοῦ

G2316

of God

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

#30

ἡ

G3588

which

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#31

σὺν

G4862

was with

with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi

#32

ἐμοί

G1698

to me

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing grace relates to the doctrine of soteriology and God's unmerited favor in salvation and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
In what ways does understanding grace in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?

Related Resources

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