God Is Faithful 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 Faithful; Preparation; Presentation; Provide; God: Grace; Testing; Purity; Mature; Purpose; Fellowship 8/16/20; Grace Church of Lockeford; 521; #6

Introduction “What Paul does not say in 1:4–9 is also significant. The achievements of God, not those of the Corinthians, are rehearsed. There is no talk of their faith, hope, and love (cf. 13:13) as in Paul’s other thanksgivings, nor of their work (cf. 15:58). Paul’s words are genuine and designed to build up, but they are not warm or intimate, as, say, in the introductory thanksgiving in Philippians.”1

1. Faithful To Prepare vv. 4-6 a. Prepared by the gift of grace v. 4 Thank is in the present tense.

“While Paul is sincerely thankful for the grace the Corinthians have received, much of this letter will focus on helping the Corinthians learn the lessons that grace would teach them (especially that of saying “No” to immorality and idolatry and “Yes” to purity in life and worship).”2

Given is an aorist participle which refers to antecedent time. The main verb is in v. 5 - Enriched. It is an aorist indicative thus indicating past time. Paul is thankful in the present for the enriching of the Corinthian believers accomplished in past time. It is passive. The enriching, the giving, everything is passive. God’s grace is not something we earn.

“We know from the rest of the letter that the Corinthians were prone to pride, and Paul wants to cut off from the outset any grounds for self-exaltation.”3

b. Prepared by the gift of ability v. 5 Enriched – πλουτίζω (ploutizō) make rich. to be made rich v. — to be caused to become very wealthy in resources (whether figurative or literal). Finite verb, aorist, passive, indicative, second person, plural.

“By “speech” (NASB) or “speaking” (NIV; Gr. logos) the apostle meant eloquence, the ability to express their “knowledge” (Gr. gnosis) fluently and effectively. As we shall see, knowledge and eloquence were two things the Corinthians valued very highly”4

“What we see, then, is that thanks are given to God for the spiritual gifts operative in the lives of the Corinthians, even though we know from chapters 12–14 that they were abusing such gifts.”5

“The Corinthians were especially rich in spiritual gifts (2 Cor. 8:7), but were not using these gifts in a spiritual manner. The fact that God has called us, set us apart, and enriched us ought to encourage us to live holy lives.”6

1 Roy E. Ciampa and Brian S. Rosner, The First Letter to the Corinthians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2010), 61–62. 2 Roy E. Ciampa and Brian S. Rosner, The First Letter to the Corinthians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2010), 63. 3 Thomas R. Schreiner, 1 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary, ed. Eckhard J. Schnabel, vol. 7, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (London: Inter-Varsity Press, 2018), 54. 4 Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), 1 Co 1:5. 5 Thomas R. Schreiner, 1 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary, ed. Eckhard J. Schnabel, vol. 7, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (London: Inter-Varsity Press, 2018), 55. 6 Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 569. “Paul gives thanks for the riches of God’s grace given to them at their conversion. The riches they possess in the present include a full allowance of spiritual gifts and a certain hope of a glorious future.”7

Utterance is the Greek word logos.

“His thanks to God for their gifts of “speaking” and “knowledge” sent an early signal for an issue to be addressed later (vv. 4–9).”8

c. Prepared by the gift of testing v. 6 Testimony – μαρτύριον (martyrion) testimony; witness. testimony (witness) n. — the verbal evidence of a witness by which something is affirmed to be true. Noun (subject), nominative, singular, neuter.

Confirmed – βεβαιόω (bebaioō) establish; confirm. to be verified (state) v. — to be or become proven to be true. Finite verb, aorist, passive, indicative, third person, singular.

“In other words, the gifts the Corinthians possessed were adequate evidences of Christ’s work in them as a body.”9

“The Corinthians’ reception of these gifts had corroborated the truthfulness of the gospel. Giving these gifts was one of the ways God validated the gospel message in the early history of the church (cf. Gal. 3:2–5; Heb. 2:3–4).”10

“When Paul preached about Christ to the Corinthians, God guaranteed his testimony by enriching them with spiritual graces and gifts. It is significant that Paul puts so much emphasis on their conversion, which comes to the fore again in 2:1–4 and 15:1–3.”11

2. Faithful To Present vv. 7-8 a. Presenting us complete v. 7 Short – ὑστερέω (hystereō) lack; fall short of. to miss (lack) v. — to be without or lack. Verb, present, passive, infinitive of circumstance.

“Despite the abuse of spiritual gifts in the congregation, Paul continues to see their presence as evidence of divine grace. Indeed, Paul emphasizes that no gift is missing in the Corinthian church; God’s grace among them has been lavishly dispensed.”12

Eagerly waiting – ἀπεκδέχομαι (apekdechomai) await eagerly. to await eagerly v. — to expect or hope for something expectantly or eagerly. Verb, present, either middle or passive, circumstantial participle, plural, accusative, masculine.

7 Roy E. Ciampa and Brian S. Rosner, The First Letter to the Corinthians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2010), 62. 8 Ted Cabal et al., The Apologetics Study Bible: Real Questions, Straight Answers, Stronger Faith (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2007), 1708. 9 Dwight L. Hunt, “The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians,” in The Grace New Testament Commentary, ed. Robert N. Wilkin (Denton, TX: Grace Evangelical Society, 2010), 712. 10 Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), 1 Co 1:6. 11 Roy E. Ciampa and Brian S. Rosner, The First Letter to the Corinthians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2010), 64–65. 12 Thomas R. Schreiner, 1 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary, ed. Eckhard J. Schnabel, vol. 7, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (London: Inter-Varsity Press, 2018), 55–56. “The completion of what God has given to believers will be secured when Jesus Christ is unveiled to the world (2 Thess. 1:7; cf. 1 Pet. 1:7, 13; 4:13)—that is, when he comes again.”13

b. Presenting us blameless v. 8 Confirm – βεβαιόω (bebaioō) establish; confirm. to establish (settle) v. — to make someone or something settled securely and unconditionally (in or on something). Finite verb, future, active, indicative, third person, singular.

“The work of God was confirmed in them (1 Cor. 1:6), but it was also confirmed to them in the Word. This is a legal term that refers to the guarantee that settles a transaction. We have the witness of the Spirit within us and the witness of the Word before us, guaranteeing that God will keep His “contract” with us and save us to the very end. This guarantee is certainly not an excuse for sin! Rather, it is the basis for a growing relationship of love, trust, and obedience.”14

Blameless – ἀνέγκλητος (anenklētos) blameless; above reproach. unaccusable adj. — not subject to, deserving, or worthy of a charge of wrongdoing. Substantival adjective, accusative, plural, masculine.

“The day of the Lord Jesus Christ refers to the Judgment Seat of Christ (the Bēma). In different places Paul calls this time “the day of the Lord Jesus,” “the day of Jesus Christ,” and “the day of Christ” (cf. 1 Cor 5:5; 2 Cor 1:14; Phil 1:6, 10; 2:16; 2 Thess 2:2). The believer who is found blameless at the Bema will hear the Lord’s “well done” (Luke 19:17; 2 Cor 5:10).”15

“The Greek word translated “blameless” (anegkletos) means unreprovable or without accusation (cf. Col. 1:22; 1 Tim. 3:10; Titus 1:6–7). It does not imply that at the judgment seat of Christ there will be complete equality among believers (cf. 3:10–15; 2 Cor. 5:10). Moreover it does not mean that once God regenerates a person that one never sins again (cf. 1 John 1:6–10). It means every Christian will stand before the Lord guiltless, unimpeachable, because God has imputed the guilt of our sins to the Savior and He has borne them (cf. Rom. 5:1; 8:1).”16

“Paul’s thanksgiving moves through three phases. In the past the Corinthians were given God’s grace (v. 4), were enriched in every way (v. 5), and had the gospel confirmed among them (v. 6). In the present they are amply supplied with the gifts of grace, and they live in eager expectation of the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ (v. 7). In the future they will be kept blameless on the day of Christ (v. 8). As in the introductory thanksgiving of Philippians, active participation in the gospel is evidence that God is at work (and what God starts he finishes; see Phil. 1:3, 5).”17

3. Faithful To Provide v. 9 a. Providing purpose v. 9a Faithful – πιστός (pistos) faithful; reliable; believing. faithful adj. — characterized by steadfast affection or allegiance (to someone or something). Predicate adjective, nominative, singular, masculine.

13 Thomas R. Schreiner, 1 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary, ed. Eckhard J. Schnabel, vol. 7, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (London: Inter-Varsity Press, 2018), 56. 14 Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 569. 15 Dwight L. Hunt, “The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians,” in The Grace New Testament Commentary, ed. Robert N. Wilkin (Denton, TX: Grace Evangelical Society, 2010), 713. 16 Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), 1 Co 1:8. 17 Roy E. Ciampa and Brian S. Rosner, The First Letter to the Corinthians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2010), 66. “The God who called the Corinthians initially into fellowship with Christ will see to it that the initial call is not nullified or cancelled.”18

“Paul’s confidence that his readers would one day stand without guilt before the Lord did not rest on the Corinthians’ ability to persevere faithfully to the end. It rested on God’s ability and promises to preserve them.”19

“The Old Testament and early Judaism stress unequivocally the trustworthiness and reliability of God. God can be trusted to come good on all his promises and to deliver on all his undertakings (cf., e.g., Deut. 7:9; Ps. 144:13; Isa. 49:7). “20

b. Providing fellowship v. 9b Fellowship – κοινωνία (koinōnia) fellowship; participation. participation fellowship n. — the act of sharing in the activities or privileges of an intimate association or group; especially used of marriage and churches. Noun (prepositional object), accusative, singular, feminine.

Conclusion “The apostle’s confidence in God as he expressed this in these verses (4–9) enabled him to deal with the problems in the Corinthian church optimistically and realistically. God was for the Corinthians. Now they needed to orient themselves properly toward Him.”21

18 Thomas R. Schreiner, 1 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary, ed. Eckhard J. Schnabel, vol. 7, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (London: Inter-Varsity Press, 2018), 57. 19 Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), 1 Co 1:9. 20 Roy E. Ciampa and Brian S. Rosner, The First Letter to the Corinthians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2010), 67. 21 Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), 1 Co 1:9.