1 CORINTHIANS 1:4-9
F. Resources for the Christ was confirmed in you: 1) A confirmed faith
Believer, 1:4-9 7 So that ye come behind in 2) A full provision
no gift; waiting for the com- 3) A strong longing for
1 Resource 1: The grace of 4 I thank my God always on ing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Jesus’ return
God your behalf, for the grace of 8 Who shall also confirm 3 Resource 3: Jesus Christ
God which is given you by you unto the end, that ye may Himself—His security
Jesus Christ; be blameless in the day of our
2 Resource 2: The gifts of 5 That in every thing ye Lord Jesus Christ.
God’s grace & Spirit are enriched by him, in all ut- 9 God is faithful, by whom 4 Resource 4: God Him-
a. The gifts: Utterance & terance, and in all know- ye were called unto the fel- self—His call
knowledge ledge; lowship of his Son Jesus Chr-
b. The results 6 Even as the testimony of ist our Lord.
GOD THE FATHER: HIS PROMISES AND BLESSINGS
F. Resources for the Believer, 1:4-9
(1:4-9) Introduction—Jesus—Problems: the name of Jesus Christ is mentioned ten times in the first ten verses. Paul wanted
the minds of the Corinthian believers to be immediately centered upon Jesus Christ. He knew this: the answer to the Corin-
thian problems did not lay in his ability to discuss and reason, nor in his laying down rules and regulations for them, but in
Jesus Christ. Therefore, he immediately discussed some of the resources which the believer receives when he accepts Jesus
Christ as his Savior and Lord.
1. Resource 1: the grace of God (v.4).
2. Resource 2: the gifts of God’s grace and Spirit (v.5-6).
3. Resource 3: Jesus Christ Himself—His security (v.8).
4. Resource 4: God Himself—His call (v.9).
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(1:4) Grace: the believer’s first resource is the grace of God. Very simply, grace means the undeserved favor and bless-
ings of God. We do not deserve God looking upon us with favor nor God blessing us with His favor. But God loves us
with an unbelievable love, so He favors us with the most unbelievable gifts.
The Corinthian church (the believers) knew and experienced the grace of God. They knew what it was to receive the favor
and blessings of God (see DEEPER STUDY # 1, Grace—1 Cor.1:4 for discussion).
DEEPER STUDY # 1
(1:4) Grace (charis): the favor and blessings of God; the undeserved and unmerited favor and blessings of God; the depth and
richness of the heart and mind of God; the kindness and love that dwells within the very nature of God. God’s grace covers
all of life.
1. Grace means the kindness and love that God freely gives to those who have acted against Him. It is the favor of God
showered upon men who do not deserve His favor, men who are...
• “without strength” (Ro.5:6).
• “ungodly” (Ro.5:6).
• “sinners” (Ro.5:8).
• “enemies” (Ro.5:10).
No other word so expresses the depth and richness of the heart and mind of God. This is the distinctive difference between
God’s grace and man’s grace. Whereas man sometimes does favors for his friends and thereby can be said to be gracious,
God has done a thing unheard of among men: He has given His very own Son to die for His enemies (see outline and notes—
Ro.5:6-11. Also see notes, Love—Jn.21:15-17; Grace—Eph.2:8-9.)
a. God’s grace is not earned. It is something completely undeserved and unmerited.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of
God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph.2:8-9).
“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by
works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the
washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Tit.3:4-5).
b. God’s grace is the free gift of God. God extends His grace out toward man.
“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”
(Ro.3:24).
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we
were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)” (Eph.2:4-
5).
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that,
denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this
present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great
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