1 Corinthians 1:7

Context

This verse belongs to the opening thanksgiving section (1 Corinthians 1:4-9) of 1 Corinthians, the letter Paul sent to the church at Corinth. The senders are identified as Paul and Sosthenes (1 Corinthians 1:1). Paul gives thanks that the Corinthian believers, having received the grace of God, have been enriched "in all utterance, and in all knowledge" (1 Corinthians 1:5). This verse states that, as a result, they "come behind in no gift" (KJV). The following verses (1 Corinthians 1:8-9) declare that the Lord will confirm them to the end and that God is faithful, that is, trustworthy. Immediately after the thanksgiving section, Paul begins to rebuke the divisions within the church (1 Corinthians 1:10).

Interpretation

• As a preview of the whole letter: Many commentators see the themes of the later parts of the letter condensed in this thanksgiving section. Spiritual gifts are treated in detail in chapters 12-14, and the Lord's coming and the resurrection in chapter 15. This interpretation notes that Paul first commends the gifts and then corrects their misuse.
• An eschatological reading: The Greek word apokalypsis, rendered here as "revelation" (KJV: "coming"), means "disclosure" or "unveiling." Most interpreters take it to refer to the Second Coming of Christ. On this reading, the gifts have already been given, but the church still awaits the consummation. Some scholars interpret the expression as a subtle correction of the Corinthians' belief that they had already attained everything.
• The scope of "gift": The word charisma, translated "gift," broadly denotes a gift received by grace. Interpreters therefore differ in emphasis as to whether the gifts in this verse should be understood narrowly as the utterance and knowledge mentioned in the preceding verse or as including the various spiritual gifts of chapter 12.

Debates and Issues

This verse is cited in the debate over cessationism and continuationism. Within Pentecostalism and the charismatic movement, the verse is often read to mean that the church will enjoy the spiritual gifts until the Second Coming, since it speaks of the gifts while also describing believers as waiting for the revelation of Christ. By contrast, some Reformed scholars who hold to cessationism regard the verse as merely describing the situation of the Corinthian church at a particular time. In their view, this verse alone cannot determine whether all the gifts continue beyond the apostolic age. The debate is usually addressed in connection with the interpretation of 1 Corinthians 13:8-12.

Related Passages

• 1 Corinthians 1:8-9
• 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
• 1 Corinthians 13:11-12
• Titus 2:13
• Philippians 1:6