1Cor 1:7, 7:7 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 7. So that . God has so abundantly endowed you with his favours. Ye come behind . υστερεισθαι. You are not wanting, or deficient. The word is usually applied to destitution, want, or poverty; and the declaration here is synonymous with what he had said, , that they abounded in everything. In no gift . In no favour, or gracious endowment. The word used here χαρισμα does not refer necessarily to extraordinary and miraculous endowments, but includes also all the kindnesses of God towards them in producing peace of mind, constancy, humility, etc. And the apostle meant evidently to say that they possessed, in rich abundance, all those endowments which were bestowed on Christians. Waiting for . Expecting, or looking for this coming with glad and anxious desire. This was, certainly, one of the endowments to which he referred; to wit, that they had grace given them earnestly to desire, and to wait for the second appearing of the Lord Jesus. An earnest wish to see him, and a confident expectation and a firm belief that he will return, is an evidence of a high state of piety. It demands strong faith, and it will do much to elevate the feelings above the world, and to keep the mind in a state of peace. The coming , etc. Greek, the revelation--τηναποκαλυψιν--the manifestation of the Son of God. That is, waiting for his return to judge the world, and for his approbation Of his people in that day. The earnest expectation of the Lord Jesus became one of the marks of early Christian piety. This return was promised by the Saviour to his anxious disciples, when he was about to leave them, . The promise was renewed when he ascended to heaven, . It became the settled hope and expectation of Christians that he would return, . And with the earnest prayer that he would quickly come, John closes the volume of inspiration, . (++) "behind" "are inferior" (c) "waiting" (1) "for the coming" "revelation" (&) "coming" "Earnestly expecting the manifestation"

1 Corinthians 1:7

Verse 7. So that. God has so abundantly endowed you with his favours.

Ye come behind. υστερεισθαι. You are not wanting, or deficient. The word is usually applied to destitution, want, or poverty; and the declaration here is synonymous with what he had said, 1Cor 1:5, that they abounded in everything.

In no gift. In no favour, or gracious endowment. The word used here χαρισμα does not refer necessarily to extraordinary and miraculous endowments, but includes also all the kindnesses of God towards them in producing peace of mind, constancy, humility, etc. And the apostle meant evidently to say that they possessed, in rich abundance, all those endowments which were bestowed on Christians.

Waiting for. Expecting, or looking for this coming with glad and anxious desire. This was, certainly, one of the endowments to which he referred; to wit, that they had grace given them earnestly to desire, and to wait for the second appearing of the Lord Jesus. An earnest wish to see him, and a confident expectation and a firm belief that he will return, is an evidence of a high state of piety. It demands strong faith, and it will do much to elevate the feelings above the world, and to keep the mind in a state of peace.

The coming, etc. Greek, the revelation--τηναποκαλυψιν--the manifestation of the Son of God. That is, waiting for his return to judge the world, and for his approbation Of his people in that day. The earnest expectation of the Lord Jesus became one of the marks of early Christian piety. This return was promised by the Saviour to his anxious disciples, when he was about to leave them, Jn 14:3. The promise was renewed when he ascended to heaven, Acts 1:11. It became the settled hope and expectation of Christians that he would return, Tit 2:13, 2Pet 3:12, Heb 9:28. And with the earnest prayer that he would quickly come, John closes the volume of inspiration, Rev 22:20.

(++) "behind" "are inferior" (c) "waiting" Tit 2:13, 2Pet 3:12 (1) "for the coming" "revelation" (&) "coming" "Earnestly expecting the manifestation"

1 Corinthians 7:7

Verse 7. For I would, etc. I would prefer.

That all men, etc. That Paul was unmarried is evident from 1Cor 9:5. But he does not refer to this fact here. When he wishes that all men were like himself, he evidently does not intend that he would prefer that all should be unmarried, for this would be against the Divine institution, and against his own precepts elsewhere. But he would be glad if all men had control over their passions and propensities as he had; had the gift of continence, and could abstain from marriage when circumstances of trial, etc., would make it proper. We may add, that when Paul wishes to exhort to anything that is difficult, he usually adduces his own example to show that it may be done; an example which it would be well for all ministers to be able to follow.

But every man hath his proper gift. Every man has his own peculiar talent, or excellence. One man excels in one thing, and another in another. One may not have this particular virtue, but he may be distinguished for another virtue quite as valuable. The doctrine here is, therefore, that we are not to judge of others by ourselves, or measure their virtue by ours. We may excel in some one thing, they in another. And because they have not our peculiar virtue, or capability, we are not to condemn or denounce them. Comp. Mt 19:11,12.

Of God. Bestowed by God, either in the original endowments and faculties of body or mind, or by his grace. In either case it is the gift of God. The virtue of continence is his gift as well as any other; and Paul had reason, as any other man must have, to be thankful that God had conferred it on him. So if a man is naturally amiable, kind, gentle, large-hearted, tender, and affectionate, he should regard it as the gift of God, and be thankful that he has not to contend with the evils of a morose, proud, haughty, and severe temper. It is true, however, that all these virtues may be greatly strengthened by discipline, and that religion gives rigour and comeliness to them all. Paul's virtue in this was strengthened by his resolution; by his manner of life; by his frequent fastings and trials, and by the abundant employment which God gave him in the apostleship. And it is true still, that if a man is desirous to overcome the lusts of the flesh, industry, and hardship, and trial, and self-denial will enable him, by the grace of God, to do it. Idleness is the cause of no small part of the corrupt desires of men; and God kept Paul from these, (1.) by giving him enough to do; and, (2.) by giving him enough to suffer.

(a) "every man" Mt 19:11,12