1 Corinthians 1 · Verse 4

1 Corinthians 1:4

I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
1 Corinthians 1:4, King James Version

1 Corinthians 1:4 in other translations

BSBI always thank my God for you because of the grace He has given you in Christ Jesus.
WEBI always thank my God concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus,
ASVI thank my God always concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus;
YLTI give thanks to my God always concerning you for the grace of God that was given to you in Christ Jesus,
DARBYI thank my God always about you, in respect of the grace of God given to you in Christ Jesus;
BBEI give praise to my God for you at all times, because of the grace of God which has been given to you in Christ Jesus;
WebsterI thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

What does 1 Corinthians 1:4 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
4. 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--(Ro 1:8; Php 1:3). always--(Compare Php 1:4). the grace ... given you--(Compare 1Co 1:7). by ... Christ--literally, "IN Jesus Christ" given you as members in Christ.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 4. I thank my God, etc. 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, (ver. 10, seq.,) 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 Rom 1:8. A willingness to commend those who do well is as much in accordance with the gospel, as a disposition to reprove where it is deserved; and a minister, or a parent, may frequently do as decided good by judicious commendation as by reproof, and much more than by fault-finding and harsh crimination.

On your behalf. In respect to you; that God has conferred these favours on you.

For the grace of God. On account of the favours which God has bestowed on you through the Lord Jesus. Those favours are specified in the following verses. For the meaning of the word grace, Rom 1:7.

(a) "thank my God" Rom 1:8 (*) "behalf" "account"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 4 For the grace - which is given you - Not only their calling to be saints, and to be sanctified in Christ Jesus; but for the various spiritual gifts which they had received, as specified in the succeeding verses.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

The doctrine of a crucified Saviour, as advancing the glory of God, (17-25) and humbling the creature before him. (26-31) Verses 1-9 All Christians are by baptism dedicated and devoted to Christ, and are under strict obligations to be holy. But in the true church of God are all who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, and who call upon him as God manifest in the flesh, for all the blessings of…

Read the full comment on 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 →

1 Corinthians 1:4 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΕὐχαριστῶEucharistōI thankG2168
τῷtōtheG3588
θεῷtheōGodG2316
μουmouof mineG3165
πάντοτεpantotealwaysG3842
περὶpericoncerningG4012
ὑμῶνhumōnyouG4771
ἐπὶepiforG1909
τῇtēatheG3588
χάριτιcharitigraceG5485
τοῦtou<the>G3588
θεοῦtheouof GodG2316
τῇtēawhichG3588
δοθείσῃdotheisēhaving been givenG1325
ὑμῖνhuminyouG4771
ἐνeninG1722
ΧριστῷChristōChristG5547
ἸησοῦIēsouJesusG2424

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Corinthians 1:4

  • Romans 1:8

    First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

  • John 14:26

    But 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.

  • John 15:26

    But 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:

  • Romans 6:17

    But 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 14:14

    If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

  • John 14:16

    And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

  • 1 Timothy 1:14

    And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

  • Acts 11:23

    Who, 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 1:3

    Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

  • John 10:30

    I and my Father are one.

  • Acts 21:20

    And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
thank.
Ro 1:8; 6:17; Ac 11:23; 21:20
the grace.
3; Joh 10:30; 14:14,16,26; 15:26; 1Ti 1:14

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Corinthians 1:3

    Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:4

    I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

  • 1 Corinthians 1:5

    That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;

Read all of 1 Corinthians 1

1 Corinthians 1:4 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Gracias doy á mi Dios siempre por vosotros, por la gracia de Dios que os es dada en Cristo Jesús;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Je rends toujours grâces à mon Dieu pour vous, à cause de la grâce de Dieu qui vous a été donnée dans le christ Jésus,
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ich danke meinem Gott allezeit eurethalben für die Gnade Gottes, die euch gegeben ist in Christo Jesu,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Gratias ago Deo meo semper pro vobis in gratia Dei, quæ data est vobis in Christo Jesu: