1 Cor 1:3-9

1.3 Paul uses the word grace more often than any other author. Interestingly, Mark's entire Gospel never has this word (charis)...a remind that things can be gracious even without the explicit word. Furthermore, each time Paul uses the word "grace" in 1 Cor, it is used in conjunction with God. Grace is not from us, but from God.

1.4 The word here for "give thanks" is "eucharist-oo."

1.5 The word here for rich is a verb, "ploutiz-oo," which Paul alone uses in the NT and in fact, only in the Corinthians letter. A reminder, perhaps to the rich people in Corinth, that real wealth comes from God in Jesus Christ.

1.6 The word for "made fast" is an aorist verb "bebaio-oo." I wonder what Paul is refering to as the singular event that made the witness fast...it looks like he might be setting up his argument later in this chapter.

The word for witness here is "martyrion," from which our English word "martyr comes from." It is interesting the way in which Paul sets up his argument here about what an effective witness will be (consider chapters 8-11). Paul seems to ground it thoroughly in Christ, not in our earthly status...which those in Corinth seemed to dwell on.

1.7 The word for "revelation" here is "apokalypsis." Interestingly, the word "gift" here (charisma) will be the focus of chapter 12. Especially fitting here that Paul points out to a divided congregation on wealth and status that the wealth, the knowledge and even the charisma is common grace we received in Jesus Christ.

The word for "lacking" here is "hystere-oo," which Paul uses in Romans to point out that we all lack the glory of God (3:23)

1.9 Paul now uses the word "koinoonia" (fellowship); again, an interesting contrast to what he will describe as happening in Corinth.