1 Corinthians 15:10
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.
Original Language Analysis
χάρις
by the grace
G5485
χάρις
by the grace
Strong's:
G5485
Word #:
1 of 32
graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
3 of 32
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ὅ
what
G3739
ὅ
what
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
5 of 32
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
which
G3588
ἡ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χάρις
by the grace
G5485
χάρις
by the grace
Strong's:
G5485
Word #:
9 of 32
graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart
αὐτῶν
his
G846
αὐτῶν
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 32
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
ἡ
which
G3588
ἡ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἰς
which was bestowed upon
G1519
εἰς
which was bestowed upon
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
12 of 32
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ἐγενήθη
was
G1096
ἐγενήθη
was
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
16 of 32
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
17 of 32
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
περισσότερον
G4053
περισσότερον
Strong's:
G4053
Word #:
18 of 32
superabundant (in quantity) or superior (in quality); by implication, excessive; adverbially (with g1537) violently; neuter (as noun) preeminence
αὐτῶν
his
G846
αὐτῶν
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
19 of 32
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
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
25 of 32
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ἡ
which
G3588
ἡ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χάρις
by the grace
G5485
χάρις
by the grace
Strong's:
G5485
Word #:
27 of 32
graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart
ἡ
which
G3588
ἡ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
28 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
29 of 32
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἡ
which
G3588
ἡ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
30 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Philippians 4:13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.2 Corinthians 3:5Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;Philippians 2:13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.Galatians 2:8(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)Romans 12:3For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.2 Corinthians 12:11I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.1 Corinthians 4:7For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?2 Corinthians 6:1We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.1 Corinthians 15:2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.Romans 11:1I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
Historical Context
Paul's missionary labors exceeded the other apostles combined: three missionary journeys, church plants across Asia Minor, Greece, and Rome, imprisonment, beatings, shipwrecks (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). His 13 New Testament letters shaped Christian theology. Yet he attributes everything to grace, not personal ability.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul balance acknowledging his hard work with attributing everything to grace?
- What would it look like for grace bestowed on you to be 'not in vain'—how is grace fruitful?
- How can Christian leaders avoid both false humility (denying their labor) and pride (crediting themselves)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But by the grace of God I am what I am (χάριτι δὲ θεοῦ εἰμι ὅ εἰμι)—This phrase echoes God's self-revelation to Moses: "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14). Paul's identity, ministry, and transformation are entirely chariti (χάριτι, "by grace")—not merit, pedigree, or achievement. The emphatic repetition of eimi ("I am") underscores grace as the sole explanation for Paul's existence as apostle.
And his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain (καὶ ἡ χάρις αὐτοῦ ἡ εἰς ἐμὲ οὐ κενὴ ἐγενήθη)—The word kenē (κενή, "empty, vain") connects to v. 2's warning about believing eikē ("in vain"). Grace bore fruit: I laboured more abundantly than they all (περισσότερον αὐτῶν πάντων ἐκοπίασα). Yet Paul immediately corrects: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me (οὐκ ἐγὼ δὲ ἀλλὰ ἡ χάρις τοῦ θεοῦ ἡ σὺν ἐμοί). Grace initiates, sustains, and accomplishes—Paul is instrument, not source.