Tuesday, 11 March 2014
… so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ… 1 Corinthians 1:7
This verse is still continuing on with the same basic thought that Paul has been making for the past three verses. The grace of God was given to the Corinthians by Christ Jesus. Because of this they “were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge.” This led to “even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you.”
Because the testimony of Christ was confirmed in them, through their conversion to a new life in Him, it ensured that they would “come short in no gift.” The term “come short” is used in connection with the thought of verse 5 where Paul said they “were enriched in everything by Him.” Because they (and we also as believers) are so enriched, there will be no deficiency or lack in any “gift.”
The term “gift” is charismati and doesn’t only imply miraculous gifts, such as speaking in various languages, healings, and etc., but instead is certainly speaking of a sound and proper Christian walk. It includes right knowledge, right application of that knowledge, sound conduct, harmony between believers, etc. That it isn’t speaking only of miraculous gifts is certain based on the contents of the rest of the epistle.
To conclude this verse, he ties in this fullness of what Christ offers during our lives as sufficient to carry us through until the end as we are “eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.” In other words, be it a day or be it an entire lifetime of waiting (which has now gone on for 2000 years) we are fully gifted in our lives to endure and continue on in a full and complete manner as we wait on His return.
However, as we will see ahead, despite being so gifted, the Corinthians failed to properly apply what was available to them. Hence, Paul wrote this letter for correction, instruction, and reproof. If this letter to them was given as such a guide, how much more ready should we be for each difficulty that arises? We have the whole word of God available to us! If we would simply take the time to read it and apply it to our lives, we would be living in a manner worthy of that great name to which we have been called.
Life application: The Bible is given to instruct us and to enrich our walk with the Lord until He returns for us. In it is everything we need for our spiritual journey. And yet, we ignore it and expect to be filled through shallow sermons one hour a week. This is a great error. Our filling comes through knowing our God, knowing our God comes through knowing Jesus Christ, and knowing Jesus Christ only comes through knowing the Bible. Study your Bible!
Most glorious and exalted heavenly Father… today I am filled with a new hunger to search You out and know the wondrous mysteries of Your wisdom and knowledge. Help me to pursue You through Your word, through Your creation, and through daily meditation and contemplation on Your greatness. Thank You for displaying Yourself to us in ways that we can know You personally and fellowship with You intimately. Amen.