Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

1 Corinthians 1:4

τῇ χάριτι τοῦ θεοῦ τῇ δοθείσῃ ὑμῖν ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ. Literally, the favour of God which was given you in Christ Jesus. χάρις is here used in the signification of favour, kindness, rather than in the usual theological signification of Divine assistance. The Apostle is speaking of that Divine favour in the sunshine of which the believer is privileged to dwell, and which produces peace of mind as its natural effect. For it is a cardinal point of his teaching that ‘there is henceforth no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.’ It is to be remembered that our word grace is derived from the Latin gratia, the original signification of which is favour, kindness. ‘We are to conceive of Jesus Christ as filled with grace and as pouring it out upon the human race’ (Olshausen). Or rather perhaps, All gilts are the result not of our merit, but of God’s good-will, and are not only given to us by Jesus Christ, but are results of His indwelling in the soul. See next note but one. The aorist probably refers to baptism.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

1 Corinthians 1:4

Old Testament

New Testament