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1 Corinthians 1:4

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Corinthians 1:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “I thank my God always concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

I thank my God always concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus;
1 Corinthians 1:4 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Corinthians 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Paul, called [to be] an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
2unto the church of God which is at Corinth, [even] them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called [to be] saints, with all that call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, their [Lord] and ours:
3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4I thank my God always concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus;
5that in everything ye were enriched in him, in all utterance and all knowledge;
6even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
7so that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ;
← 1 Corinthians 1:31 Corinthians 1:5 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“I thank my God always on your behalf, etc.] Now follows a thanksgiving for various blessings bestowed upon this church, which is a proof of the apostle’s great affection for it, and how much its welfare lay at his heart. The object of thanksgiving is God, for as he is the author of all mercies, the glory and praise of them ought to be given to him. The apostle styles him “my God”, to distinguish him from others; and to express his faith of interest in him; and to observe to this church, that all the good things they enjoyed came from him, who was his God and their God, his Father and their Father; and for which reason he returned thanks to him for them, and by so doing set them an example:…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He puts the causes for praise and hope among them in the foreground, not to discourage them by the succeeding reproof, and in order to appeal to their better selves. my God-- (Rom 1:8; Phi 1:3). always--(Compare Phi 1:4). the grace . . . given you--(Compare Co1 1:7). by . . . Christ--literally, "IN Jesus Christ" given you as members in Christ.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I thank my God ... - No small part of this Epistle is occupied with reproofs for the disorders which had arisen in the church at Corinth. Before proceeding, however, to the specific statement of those disorders (1 Corinthians 1:10 ff), the apostle commends them for the attainments which they had really made in divine knowledge, and thus shows that he was disposed to concede to them all that he could. It was no part of the disposition of Paul to withhold commendation where it was due. On the contrary, as he was disposed to be faithful in reproving the errors of Christians, he was no less disposed to commend them when it could be done; compare the note at Romans 1:8. A willingness to commend…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Always - Whenever I mention you to God in prayer. 1 Corinthians 1:5”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:4-9 Paul thanks God for the spiritual gifts he sees in the lives of the Corinthian Christians and expresses his confidence that God will keep them safe to the end. 1:4 now that you belong to Christ Jesus (literally in Christ Jesus): Paul frequently uses the phrase in Christ Jesus to refer to the saving relationship believers have with Christ (e.g., Rom 3:24; Gal 2:4; Eph 3:6).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“thank: Rom 1:8, Rom 6:17; Act 11:23, Act 21:20 the grace: Co1 1:3; Joh 10:30, Joh 14:14, Joh 14:16, Joh 14:26, Joh 15:26; Ti1 1:14 1 Corinthians 1:5”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Corinthians 1 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification