Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 15:10

What does 1 Corinthians 15:10 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 15:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 15:10 means

Paul affirms that everything he is flows from God’s grace. That grace was not ineffective; it produced vigorous labor—“I labored more abundantly than they all.” Yet even this diligence he attributes to grace working with him. Grace does not cancel effort; it empowers it. Paul’s life becomes a living proof of the resurrection’s power: the risen Christ’s gift turned a persecutor into the church’s tireless servant. The verse guards against pride and sloth alike. It honors both the divine source and the human instrument, showing how God’s generosity creates energetic faithfulness without giving any room for self-congratulation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not found vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not found vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But by the grace of God, I am what I am: and his grace which was given to me has not been for nothing; for I did more work than all of them; though not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace that <FI>is<Fi> towards me came not in vain, but more abundantly than they all did I labour, yet not I, but the grace of God that <FI>is<Fi> with me;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But by the grace of God, I am what I am. And his grace in me hath not been void: but I have laboured more abundantly than all they. Yet not I, but the grace of God with me:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But byGod's grace I am what I am; and his grace, which [was] towards me, has not been vain; but I have laboured more abundantly than they all, but not I, but the grace ofGod which [was] with me.

Context

Still reflecting on his apostleship (v. 9), Paul clarifies the dynamic of grace (v. 10) before insisting on unity of message (v. 11). This completes the preface of testimony and authority, setting the stage for the doctrinal argument. The logic is: the resurrection was witnessed (vv. 5–8), transformed Paul (vv. 9–10), and is consistently preached (v. 11). From that secure base, Paul will challenge any denial of the resurrection, showing that such denial empties faith of content (vv. 12–19).

v.9For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

v.10This passage

v.11Whether then it be I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:7

    For who maketh thee to differ? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? but if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it?

  • Matthew 10:20

    For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:1

    And working together with him we entreat also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain

  • 1 Corinthians 3:6

    I planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

  • Romans 12:3

    For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but so to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:2

    by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain.

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