1 Corinthians 1:4

1 Corinthians 1:4. thank my God always concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus;

'I thank my God always concerning you' -'The Corinthians had broken his heart, caused him great pain, despised his appearance and speech, doubted his apostleship; but he thanks God concerning them. Where did this spirit go? With the buffalo, it would seem. And he always thanked God concerning them. He meant it. He knew about their shortcomings and he rebukes them when necessary. But he still thanked God for them. Do you have children? parents? family? friends? Are you aware of failings in their lives? Does the fact that they having failings prevent you from thanking God for them?..Where love is absent we have the "kingdom of the gripes".' [Note:. McGuiggan p. 20]

'always' -a regular habit with Paul (1 Thessalonians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Romans 1:8; Colossians 1:3; 1 Peter 1:3; Philemon 1:4).

'for' -the reason for his gratitude. 'By reason of' (Rhm)

'the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus' -

Points to Note:

1. "Grace" here may refer to both the grace bestowed at conversion, and the spiritual gifts that followed (1 Corinthians 1:5).

'Commonly this is viewed as. thanksgiving for grace as such, i.e., the gracious outpouring of God's mercy in Christ Jesus toward the undeserving. However, for Paul charis ("grace") very often is closely associated with..("gift/gifts") (i.e. spiritual gifts)' [Note:. Fee p. 37]

2. "Grace" is only available in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 1:3)

3. 'Paul's thanksgiving centers upon God's gifts to the Corinthians rather than on their own moral achievements..The Corinthian church did not cease to be an object of Paul's thoughts and prayers when he left them. (2 Corinthians 11:28)' [Note:. Willis pp. 13-14]