Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 4:7

What does 1 Corinthians 4:7 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 4:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 4:7 means

Paul dismantles pride with three piercing questions: Who makes you different? What do you have that you did not receive? If you received it, why boast as though you had not? The implied answers humble the heart—any distinction is ultimately a gift from God; nothing truly advantageous originates in ourselves. Grace levels the ground and forbids glorying in human leaders or personal capacities. This perspective frees believers to be grateful rather than competitive, to steward rather than strut, and to honor God rather than seek status. Paul is not denying responsibility; he is denying self-congratulation in the face of God’s generous, prior, and sustaining gifts.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For who made you better than your brother? or what have you that has not been given to you? but if it has been given to you, what cause have you for pride, as if it had not been given to you?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for who doth make thee to differ? and what hast thou, that thou didst not receive? and if thou didst also receive, why dost thou glory as not having received?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For who distinguisheth thee? Or what hast thou that thou hast not received, and if thou hast received, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For who makes thee to differ? and what hast thou which thou hast not received? but if also thou hast received, why boastest thou as not receiving?

Context

Verse 7 sharpens the anti-pride appeal begun in verse 6. It sets up the irony of verse 8, where Paul contrasts the Corinthians’ self-satisfied “reign” with the apostles’ suffering. The flow moves from theological questions that expose boasting to a vivid, almost satirical portrait of Corinthian triumphalism. This prepares the way for verses 9–13, where Paul will recount the apostles’ hardships to re-center the church’s values around the cross rather than status and ease.

v.6Now these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us ye might learn not to go beyond the things which are written; that no one of you be puffed up for the one against the other.

v.7This passage

v.8Already are ye filled, already ye are become rich, ye have come to reign without us: yea and I would that ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.

Cross references

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

  • Daniel 4:30

    The king spake and said, Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for the royal dwelling-place, by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?

  • 1 Corinthians 15:10

    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.

  • John 3:27

    John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it have been given him from heaven.

  • 1 Corinthians 5:6

    Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

  • Romans 12:6

    And having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith;

  • John 1:16

    For of his fulness we all received, and grace for grace.

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