1 Corinthians 1:7-8
so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's easy to read this as saying believers are already perfect, but the phrase "as you wait" reveals something profound. It means that the gifts we have are incomplete and are meant to sustain us while we're still longing for the full arrival and perfection that comes with Jesus' return. Our present gifting is a powerful, ongoing reminder of what's ultimately coming.
Paul is addressing a church in Corinth that's struggling with division and boasting, even claiming spiritual superiority based on their gifts. He's reminding them that these gifts are given by God to equip them as they eagerly await Jesus' return, implying that their focus should be on unity and anticipation rather than on internal competition. The verses immediately following will delve into the wisdom of God versus the wisdom of the world, further challenging their prideful divisions.
Paul assures the Corinthians they have everything they need. But what does that really mean for us today?
Paul opens this letter by reminding the believers in Corinth that they are spiritually rich. He says they "are not lacking in any gift." This isn't about having a lot of stuff or even necessarily obvious talents. It's about possessing every spiritual enablement and resource necessary for godly living and service, all freely given by God. These gifts are for the building up of the church and for bringing glory to Him. You, like the Corinthians, have been equipped by God for the journey.
Waiting can be hard, but Paul connects it to an incredible future event. What is it, and why does it matter?
The phrase "as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ" is crucial. This isn't passive, idle waiting. It's an expectant, hopeful anticipation of Christ's return and the full unveiling of His glory. This future event is the ultimate goal and the source of our present hope. Our present spiritual richness and the use of our gifts are all oriented towards this glorious appearing. Knowing that Christ will be fully revealed gives purpose and urgency to how we live now.
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Understand the original words
charisma · Greek Noun
A spiritual endowment or favor given by God’s grace to believers for the edification of the body of Christ. These are freely bestowed and not earned.
apokalypsis · Greek Noun
An unveiling or uncovering of something hidden. In theology, it refers to the glorious, visible return of Christ at the end of the age.
bebaioō · Greek Verb
To strengthen, support, or keep firm. It denotes God’s continuous upholding of the believer throughout their earthly life until salvation is completed.
anegklētos · Greek Adjective
Irreproachable or without a charge against one; it signifies a state of being morally or legally blameless before God, achieved through Christ’s atonement.
Paul's reassurance that the Corinthians are not lacking in spiritual gifts is set against the backdrop of internal divisions and the immaturity of the church. He reminds them that their current gifts are sufficient as they await Christ's ultimate return, a future event that will fully reveal God's purposes and perfect their spiritual lives.
c. AD 41-50
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
The Apostle Paul establishes the church in Corinth during his extensive missionary journeys. This foundational period would have seen the initial outpouring of spiritual gifts among believers.
c. AD 50-52
Founding of the Corinthian Church
Paul spends about 18 months in Corinth, teaching and building up the community. The church is composed of both Jews and Gentiles, leading to unique social and spiritual dynamics.
c. AD 55— this verse
Paul Writes 1 Corinthians
From Ephesus, Paul pens this letter to address numerous issues that have arisen within the Corinthian church, including divisions, immorality, and questions about spiritual gifts.
c. AD 56
Paul's Second Visit to Corinth
Following the writing of 1 Corinthians, Paul makes a second, more painful visit to Corinth, attempting to resolve the issues he addressed in his letter.
This passage echoes the same anticipation for Jesus' return, highlighting the need for readiness and sober minds as we wait for that glorious day.
Philippians 3:20-21It emphasizes our present citizenship is in heaven and our hope is in Christ's return to transform our lowly bodies into His glorious body, mirroring the 'revealing' mentioned.
Romans 8:18-25This passage speaks about the groaning of creation in its longing for redemption and the revealing of the sons of God, paralleling the hopeful waiting for Christ's unveiling.
Titus 2:13This verse directly connects our waiting for the 'appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ' with living a life of godliness, reinforcing the theme of hopeful expectation.
It's easy to read this as saying believers are already perfect, but the phrase "as you wait" reveals something profound. It means that the gifts we have are incomplete and are meant to sustain us while we're still longing for the full arrival and perfection that comes with Jesus' return. Our present gifting is a powerful, ongoing reminder of what's ultimately coming.
Paul is addressing a church in Corinth that's struggling with division and boasting, even claiming spiritual superiority based on their gifts. He's reminding them that these gifts are given by God to equip them as they eagerly await Jesus' return, implying that their focus should be on unity and anticipation rather than on internal competition. The verses immediately following will delve into the wisdom of God versus the wisdom of the world, further challenging their prideful divisions.
Paul is addressing a church in Corinth that's struggling with division and boasting, even claiming spiritual superiority based on their gifts. He's reminding them that these gifts are given by God to equip them as they eagerly await Jesus' return, implying that their focus should be on unity and anticipation rather than on internal competition. The verses immediately following will delve into the wisdom of God versus the wisdom of the world, further challenging their prideful divisions.
"so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." — It's easy to read this as saying believers are already perfect, but the phrase "as you wait" reveals something profound. It means that the gifts we have are incomplete and are meant to sustain us *…
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