Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Corinthians 1:5
That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and [in] all knowledge;
5. in every thing ye are enriched ] Rather, Ye were enriched, i.e. at your baptism, when you entered into the covenant-union with Christ. The gifts of utterance, knowledge and the like, were the result of the favour of God towards you. It appears evident from the rest of the Epistle that the Apostle was thinking rather of the powers conveyed to the Corinthians by their translation into Christ, than of the use they had made of them. The Corinthians as a body were not as yet remarkable for their Christian knowledge, though many individuals had no doubt made great spiritual progress.
in all utterance ] Literally, speech, discourse.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
That in every thing – In every respect, or in regard to all the favors conferred on any of his people. You have been distinguished by him in all those respects in which he blesses his own children.
Ye are enriched by him; – compare the note at Rom 2:4. The meaning of this expression is, you abound in these things; they are conferred abundantly upon you. By the use of this word, the apostle intends doubtless to denote the fact that these blessings had been conferred on them abundantly; and also that this was a valuable endowment, so as to be properly called a treasure. The mercies of God are not only conferred abundantly on his people, but they are a bestowment of inestimable value; compare 2Co 6:10.
In all utterance – With the power of speaking various languages en panti logo. That this power was conferred on the church at Corinth, and that it was highly valued by them, is evident from 1 Cor. 14; compare 2Co 8:7. The power of speaking those languages the apostle regarded as a subject of thanksgiving, as it was a proof of the divine favor to them; see 1Co 14:5, 1Co 14:22, 1Co 14:39.
And in all knowledge – In the knowledge of divine truth. They had understood the doctrines which they had heard, and had intelligently embraced them. This was not true of all of them, but it was of the body of the church; and the hearty commendation and thanksgiving of the apostle for these favors, laid the foundation for the remarks which he had subsequently to make, and would tend to conciliate their minds, and dispose them to listen attentively, even to the language of reproof.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 5. Ye are enriched – ye abound – in all utterance] , In all doctrine; for so the word should certainly be translated and understood. All the truths of God relative to their salvation had been explicitly declared to them; and they had all knowledge; so that they perfectly comprehended the doctrines which they had heard.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
In every thing; in every grace and in every good gift, (for he is manifestly speaking of spiritual things), so as this general particle must not be extended to the things of this life, but restrained either to spiritual gifts, or spiritual, sanctifying habits. Thus we read of the riches of grace, Eph 1:7, and of the riches of Christ, Eph 3:8; nor is the metaphor improper, whether we consider riches as signifying plenty or abundance, or that which accommodateth a man in this life, and is fitted to mens wants, to give them a supply.
In all utterance; the word may be translated, in everything, or, in all speech; but the first having been said before, it seems more proper here to translate it, in all word or speech, or in all utterance, as we translate it. If it be taken in the first sense, the gospel is by it understood, the doctrine of the gospel preached amongst them by Paul and Apollos, who preached among the Gentiles the riches of Christ, Eph 3:8. If we interpret it utterance, which our translators prefer, it signifies an ability to utter that knowledge which God hath given us, to the glory of God and the good of others, either in prayer or spiritual discourses.
And in all knowledge: some by knowledge here understand the gift of prophecy; but it more properly signifies the ability God had given them to comprehend in their understanding the mysteries of the gospel, the great and deep things of God. The apostle blesseth God both for the illumination of their minds by the ministry of the gospel, so as they knew the things of God, and also for the ability which God had given them to communicate this their knowledge to others.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
5. utteranceALFORDfrom MENOCHIUS translates,”doctrine.” Ye are rich in preachers or thepreaching of the word, and rich in knowledge orapprehension of it: literally “(the) word(preached).” English Version (as in 2Co8:7) is better: for Paul, purposing presently to dwell on theabuse of the two gifts on which the Corinthians most pridedthemselves, utterance (speech) and knowledge (1Co 1:20;1Co 3:18; 1Co 4:19;1Co 13:1-14), previouslygains their goodwill by congratulating them on having thosegifts.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
That in everything ye are enriched by him,…. This is still a continuation of the thanksgiving for this church, that they were “enriched”, or plentifully and abundantly provided for by Christ, with all grace, with all the riches of grace; with his own unsearchable riches, of which they were made partakers, and the riches of glory, to which they were entitled by him; and all which come to them through his poverty, which makes his grace in the donation of these riches the more illustrious: and particularly the apostle is thankful, that they were enriched by Christ
in all utterance, and in all knowledge; that not only they had the knowledge of the truths and doctrines of the Gospel, concerning the person, offices, grace, and righteousness of Christ in the theory of them, or a speculative notion of them; but for the most part had a spiritual experimental knowledge of these things; and many of them had such large gifts of knowledge, elocution, and utterance, that they were richly qualified to preach the Gospel to others; nay, even had the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit, so as to speak with divers tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
That (). Explicit specification of this grace of God given to the Corinthians. Paul points out in detail the unusual spiritual gifts which were their glory and became their peril (chapters 1Co 12-14).
Ye were enriched in him ( ). First aorist passive indicative of , old causative verb from , wealth, common in Attic writers, dropped out for centuries, reappeared in LXX. In N.T. only three times and alone in Paul (1Cor 1:5; 2Cor 6:10; 2Cor 6:11). The Christian finds his real riches in Christ, one of Paul’s pregnant phrases full of the truest mysticism.
In all utterance and all knowledge ( ). One detail in explanation of the riches in Christ. The outward expression () here is put before the inward knowledge () which should precede all speech. But we get at one’s knowledge by means of his speech. Chapters 1Co 12-14 throw much light on this element in the spiritual gifts of the Corinthians (the gift of tongues, interpreting tongues, discernment) as summed up in 1Cor 13:1; 1Cor 13:2, the greater gifts of 12:31. It was a marvellously endowed church in spite of their perversions.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Ye are enriched [] . Rev. more literally, “were enriched.” Compare Col 3:16; and see on Rom 2:4.
Utterance – knowledge [ – ] . The two words are found together, ch. 12 8; 2Co 11:6; 2Co 8:7. For knowledge, see on Rom 11:33. Utterance, aptitude in speech. Paul gives thanks for speech as a means of testifying for Christ. “The saints have never been silent” (Pascal).
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “That in everything.” (Greek hoti en panti) “because in everything.” Reason justified PauI’s prayers of gratitude. These prayers were motivated by changes God had wrought in their lives.
2) “Ye are enriched by him “ (Greek epoutisthete en auto) “Ye were enriched in him.” Tho the Corinthian brethren were not made perfect in the flesh when saved, Paul had seen Spiritually plutocratic, wealthy changes wrought in them, in or through Christ, 2Co 5:17.
3) “In all utterance.” (Greek en panti logo). In all their words, expressions, or utterances they had been enriched. Becoming a Christian should enrich every sinner’s speech – putting away profanity, filthy communication, lying, and speaking the truth, Eph 4:22,
25, 29; Col 3:8-9; Col 4:6.
4) “And in all knowledge. To know God is eternal life, Joh 17:3 and the beginning of knowledge. Pro 1:7; and each person who knows Him is enriched in all that he knows, from the moment of salvation, 2Pe 3:18.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(5) Ye are enriched.Literally, ye were enriched. Utterance is the power of outward expression of that knowledge which dwells within.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
5. Every thing Every respect.
Utterance Preaching, prophesying, and tongues.
Knowledge The perception of sacred doctrines, the discerning of spirits, and the interpretation of charismatic tongues.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Co 1:5. That in every thing ye are enriched These respectful congratulations and acknowledgments of the things in which they did really excel, had a most happy tendency to soften their minds, and to dispose them the better to receive the plain reproofs that he was going to give them, and which, in their circumstances, faithful love extorted from him.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
Ver. 5. Ye are enriched ] See here what is the Christian’s riches. And so David reckons of his wealth, Psa 119:32 . He cannot be poor in whom the word of God dwells richly, Col 3:16 , especially if he be free of discourse, able and willing to communicate. A dumb Christian is to be blamed, as well as a dumb minister.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
5. ] general: particularized by . , in all teaching and all knowledge . (obj.), the truth preached . (subj.), the truth apprehended . They were rich in the preaching of the word, had among them able preachers, and rich in the apprehension of the word, were themselves intelligent hearers. See 2Co 8:7 , where to these are added , , and .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
1Co 1:5 . . . . stands in explicative apposition to the foregoing . . , bringing out the matter of thanksgiving eminent in the conversion of the Cor [75] “(I mean), that in everything you were enriched,” etc. For this defining after a vbl [76] noun, cf. 1Co 1:26 and 2Co 1:8 . The affluence of endowment conferred on the Cor [77] stirred the Apostle’s deep gratitude ( cf. 1Co 1:7 , 2Co 8:9 ): this wealth appears in another light in 1Co 4:6-10 , 1Co 5:2 , 1Co 8:1-3 ; see also Introd. , p. 730 f. The Church doubtless dwelt upon this distinction in its recent letter, to which P. is replying. is defined, and virtually limited, by (kindred gifts, linked by the single prp [78] ): the exuberance of grace in the Cor [79] shone “in all (manner of) utterance and all (manner of) knowledge”. in this connexion signifies not the thing said (as in 18), but the saying of it, loquendi facultas (Bz [80] ). “Relatively to , is the ability and readiness to say what one understands; . the power and ability to understand ” (Hn [81] ). “Knowledge” would naturally precede; but the Cor [82] excelled and delighted in “speech” above all: see 1Co 2:1-4 ; 1Co 2:13 , 1Co 4:19 f., 1Co 13:1 .
[75] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.
[76] verbal.
[77] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.
[78] preposition.
[79] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.
[80] Beza’s Nov. Testamentum: Interpretatio et Annotationes (Cantab., 1642).
[81] C. F. G. Heinrici’s Erklrung der Korintherbriefe (1880), or 1 Korinther in Meyer’s krit.-exegetisches Kommentar (1896).
[82] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
are = were.
enriched. Greek. ploutizo. Only here and 2Co 6:10; 2Co 9:11.
utterance. App-121.
knowledge. App-132. Compare 2Co 8:7; 2Co 11:6.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
5. ] general: particularized by . , in all teaching and all knowledge. (obj.), the truth preached. (subj.), the truth apprehended. They were rich in the preaching of the word, had among them able preachers, and rich in the apprehension of the word, were themselves intelligent hearers. See 2Co 8:7, where to these are added , , and .
Fuente: The Greek Testament
1Co 1:5. -, in word (utterance)-in knowledge) The word (utterance) follows knowledge, in point of fact: and it is by the former that the latter is made known. He shows, that the Corinthians ought to be such in attainments, that it should be unnecessary to write to them. Moreover they were admirers of spiritual gifts; therefore by mentioning their gifts, he gains over to himself their affections, and makes a way for reproof.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
1Cor 1:5
1Co 1:5
that in everything ye were enriched in him,-In the fourteenth chapter Paul mentions the many gifts bestowed on the church at Corinth, showing that in everything they, as a church of Jesus Christ, had received blessings and favors that spiritually enriched them, or placed the rich gifts of the favors unto which these gifts brought.
in all utterance-The ability to speak the gospel in different tongues.
and all knowledge;-The spiritual gifts that would bestow all knowledge needful for salvation and the power of imparting it to others by the gift of tongues had been freely bestowed on the members of the church at Corinth. These gifts had been so distributed to the members of the church that they would supply the knowledge of Gods will to them.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
in every: 1Co 4:7-10, Rom 11:12, 2Co 9:11, Eph 2:7, Eph 3:8
in all: 1Co 12:8, 1Co 12:10, 1Co 14:5, 1Co 14:6, 1Co 14:26, Act 2:4, 2Co 8:7, Eph 6:19, Col 4:3, Col 4:4
and in: 1Co 8:11, 1Co 13:2, 1Co 13:8, Rom 15:4, 2Co 4:6, Eph 1:17, Phi 1:9, Col 1:9, Col 1:10, Col 2:3, Col 3:10, Jam 3:13, 2Pe 3:18
Reciprocal: Exo 35:34 – Aholiab Exo 35:35 – the cunning Joh 1:16 – of his Rom 12:6 – then 1Co 4:8 – ye are full 2Co 9:14 – the exceeding 2Co 12:12 – General Gal 2:8 – the same Gal 3:5 – worketh
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Co 1:5. Riches do not always consist of material wealth; the Corinthians had been given the wealth of spiritual blessings in the form of utterance and knowledge. The first is from LOGOS which is the Greek term for “word,” and is applied in a variety of senses. It denotes any expression of thought, whether in single words or in sentences, or even in entire discourses. It is also applicable either to inspired or uninspired speech, so that it would include the gift of tongues. The second word is from GNOSIS and the outstanding definition in Thayer’s lexicon is, “intelligence.”
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
1Co 1:5. that in everything ye are enriched … in all utterance (Gr. word), or aptitude to give utterance to divine truth.
And all knowledge, or apprehension of the truth (see 2Co 8:7; 2Co 11:6).
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Vv. 5. With the meaning of the word grace, which we have rejected, would require to be translated by in that. But if we take the word grace in the most general sense, should be translated by seeing that, or because. Indeed, there is here a new fact proving the reality of the preceding. Only from the state of grace could the abundance of gifts arise which distinguishes the Church of Corinth, and which more especially gives occasion to the apostle’s gratitude.
The in everything is qualified by the two following terms, knowledge and utterance. The sequel of the Epistle leaves no doubt as to the meaning of these two terms. Chaps. 12-14 will show what a wealth of gifts, both of Christian knowledge and of manifestations in utterance (tongues, prophecies, doctrine), had been bestowed on this Church. We see from 1Co 8:1; 1Co 8:10, 1Co 13:2; 1Co 13:8-9, that the word , knowledge, denotes the understanding of the facts of salvation and of their manifold applications to Christian life. Here it includes the idea of , wisdom, which is sometimes distinguished from it; comp. 1Co 12:8.
The term utterance has been applied by de Wette to the rich Christian instruction which the Corinthians had received from Paul’s mouth and from which they had derived their knowledge of the gospel. But the term utterance must denote a spiritual gift bestowed on the Corinthians, and in connection with the term knowledge. What the apostle has in view, therefore, is those different forms of the new tongue which the Holy Spirit had developed in the Church. The verb denotes their abundance; the word , every, their variety; comp. 1Co 14:26 : When ye come together, each of you hath a psalm, a teaching, a tongue, a revelation, an interpretation. Edwards sees in this aorist an allusion to the present loss of those former riches, as if it should be translated, Ye had been enriched. This is certainly a mistake; the riches remained still, as is shown by chaps. 12-14. The aorist simply relates to the point of time at which the spiritual endowment of the Church took place, when its faith was sealed by the communication of the Spirit. It is not by accident that the apostle only mentions here the speculative and oratorical powers, and not the moral virtues; the gifts of the Spirit and not the fruits of the Spirit, as at Thessalonica. His intention is not doubtful; for in chap. 1Co 13:8-13 he himself contrasts the two principal gifts of utterance, tongues, and prophecy, and then knowledge, as things which pass away, with the three things which abide: faith, hope, and love. Here then, side by side with the riches for which the apostle gives thanks, we already discover the defect which afflicts him, but of which he does not speak, because it would be contrary to the object of the passage as one sacred to thanksgiving. This defect stood in relation to the character of the Greek mind, which was distinguished rather by intellectual and oratorical gifts than by seriousness of heart and conscience.
Fuente: Godet Commentary (Luke, John, Romans and 1 Corinthians)
that in everything [in every respect] ye were enriched in him, in all utterance [so that they were able to preach, teach, prophesy, and speak with tongues– 1Co 12:8-10; 2Co 8:7; 2Co 11:6] and all knowledge [so that they had perception of doctrine, discerning of spirits, and interpretation of tongues];
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
5. Because you are enriched in him in all word and knowledge. The E.V. gives this an active, whereas it has a passive, signification, meaning the simple fact that those Corinthians had the rich and invaluable treasure of Gods complete word and that priceless gift of the Holy Ghost (1
Corinthians 1Co 12:8) denominated knowledge. This spiritual gift means insight into divine truth, the omniscient Revelator revealing to the reader the spiritual meaning of His precious word, which He alone understands. Hence those Corinthians were wonderfully rich to have all the word and the spiritual knowledge of the same, i. e., insight into it, illuminated by the Holy Ghost, so they could understand it.
Fuente: William Godbey’s Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 5
Enriched by him; by Jesus Christ.–In all utterance, and in all knowledge; that is, in all the inward and outward traits and manifestations of piety.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
1Co 1:5. That in etc.; specifies grace given. In everything 2Co 9:11 : limited, like all universals, by the writer’s mental horizon; (see under Rom 5:18;) and here expounded by all utterance and all knowledge, which include all the spiritual capacities needed for church progress.
Enriched: Rom 2:4; Rom 9:23; Rom 10:12; Rom 11:12; Rom 11:33; 2Co 6:10; 2Co 8:2; 2Co 8:9; 2Co 9:11, etc.
In Him; repeats in Christ Jesus; and thus lays stress upon the truth that all real wealth comes through spiritual contact with Him.
All knowledge: mental comprehension of the truth in all its aspects.
All utterance: ability to speak forth the truth in all the modes needful to convey it to the various sorts of men. These gifts seldom go together in one man. But he who possesses either of them is an enrichment to his church. And the church which possesses, in its various members, these gifts in a special degree is truly rich.
Utterance is put first as the more conspicuous. [The R.V. were enriched gives to the indefinite tense a definite reference which does not belong to it. See The Expositor, 1st Series vol. xi. p. 296.]
Fuente: Beet’s Commentary on Selected Books of the New Testament
1:5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, {8} in {d} all utterance, and [in] all knowledge;
(8) He refers to that by name which they abused the most.
(d) Seeing that while we live here we know but in part, and prophesy in part, this word “all” must be limited by the present state of the faithful: and by “utterance” he does not mean a vain kind of babbling, but the gift of holy eloquence, which the Corinthians abused.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
By "speech" (NASB) or "speaking" (NIV; Gr. logos) the apostle meant eloquence, the ability to express their "knowledge" (Gr. gnosis) fluently and effectively. As we shall see, knowledge and eloquence were two things the Corinthians valued very highly. These characteristics appear by their usage in this letter and in 2 Corinthians to have been common buzzwords in Corinth. Logos occurs 26 times in 1 and 2 Corinthians compared to 58 times in Paul’s other epistles, and gnosis appears 16 times in these two epistles but only seven times in all of Paul’s other writings. Paul had to put these gifts in their proper place among the other gifts. Nevertheless they were great gifts, and Paul was thankful that God had given them to the Corinthians.