1 Cor. 1:4-9, Prayer of Assurance

For whom is Paul praying?  Believers at Corinth.

You might think of these believers as a sorely troubled group.  I’m not sure they were exceptional in the number and severity of their problems.  But Paul’s description of them in 1:2 is profound: To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.  Believers in Christ often have struggles, but it does not change who they are in Christ. 

To whom is Paul praying? “my God”

God is the source of grace for which Paul is thankful (v4).  God is also the One who will confirm or establish the Corinthians to the end that they might have a good standing in the day of Christ (v8).  Lastly, God is faithful and was the One who called the Corinthians into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (v9).  It should be noted that there are no requests in this prayer.  Instead, it is an affirmation of God’s work past, present and future in the Corinthian believers.

For what is Paul thankful?

This is the primary question in this prayer because it is a prayer of thanksgiving.  Let’s lay out the progress of this prayer.

·       There is one basic word of thanksgiving: for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus (v4).

·       “Grace” was evident in their being enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge.  Likely this refers to the good teaching and preaching that was the experience of this church.

·       When did this enrichment take place?  Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you (v6).  This refers to the effect of the gospel on the Corinthians.  By the grace of God, through the Spirit, the gospel was confirmed (it was made to stand strong) to and in them.  Paul was the one used of God to bring the gospel to Corinth and to establish the church there (Acts 18).

·       What was the result of this enrichment?  So that you come short in no gift. 

·       The “life context” for this prayer is, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.  This is a statement of “hope.” 

I love this prayer.  It is based in sound doctrine.  First, in Christ we have every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3), everything we need for life and godliness (2 Pt. 1:3-4).  Second, God will keep us from falling and will establish us blameless before Christ (Jude 24).  Paul has several issues to consider with these believers.  But lest they think these are so serious that God might abandon them, he vocalizes his thanks to God for the assurance He will finish the work He has begun.  When your believing friends struggle, do your prayers for them exude this assurance of hope?