1 Corinthians 1:4
I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
Original Language Analysis
Εὐχαριστῶ
I thank
G2168
Εὐχαριστῶ
I thank
Strong's:
G2168
Word #:
1 of 18
to be grateful, i.e., (actively) to express gratitude (towards); specially, to say grace at a meal
τῇ
which
G3588
τῇ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
God
G2316
θεοῦ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
3 of 18
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
περὶ
behalf
G4012
περὶ
behalf
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
ἐπὶ
for
G1909
ἐπὶ
for
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
8 of 18
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῇ
which
G3588
τῇ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χάριτι
the grace
G5485
χάριτι
the grace
Strong's:
G5485
Word #:
10 of 18
graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart
τῇ
which
G3588
τῇ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
God
G2316
θεοῦ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
12 of 18
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τῇ
which
G3588
τῇ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δοθείσῃ
is given
G1325
δοθείσῃ
is given
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
14 of 18
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
Cross References
Romans 1:8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.John 14:26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.Romans 6:17But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.John 15:26But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:John 14:16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;1 Timothy 1:14And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.Acts 11:23Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.1 Corinthians 1:3Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.John 10:30I and my Father are one.
Historical Context
Thanksgiving periods were standard in Greco-Roman letters, but Paul transforms the convention into theological teaching. The Corinthians were proud of their spiritual gifts (especially tongues and prophecy, addressed in chapters 12-14), but Paul recasts these as grace-gifts, not personal achievements. This prepares for his later insistence that gifts are for edification, not ego.
Questions for Reflection
- How does giving thanks for God's grace in others help combat envy, judgment, and factionalism in the church?
- What spiritual gifts in your life need to be reframed as grace-gifts rather than personal accomplishments?
- Why does Paul consistently thank God for people rather than flattering them directly?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ—Paul's thanksgiving is strategic: before confronting their carnality, he affirms God's grace at work in them. The passive voice given (didomi, δίδωμι) emphasizes divine initiative—grace is gift, not achievement. Paul thanks God for the grace, not for the Corinthians' accomplishments, because all their gifts trace back to unmerited divine favor.
This thanksgiving section (vv. 4-9) functions rhetorically to establish common ground before correction. Paul will soon argue that their spiritual gifts should unite rather than divide them. By thanking God rather than flattering them, Paul models humility and redirects glory to God—a theme that will crescendo in verse 31: "Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord."