For the Grace of God

1Corinthians 1:4-5 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing you are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge 

‘Grace’ – the primary meaning of grace in connection with God is: free, eternal, and unmerited love and favour of God toward free moral agents who are the product of His own creation, whether human or spirit beings, and who are capable of God; consciousness and moral responsibility. Grace is the spring, source, and the very fountain-head of all the manifold benefits and blessings of God to all of His creation (John 1:14-17; 3:16; Rom. 3:24; 5:17-21; 11:5, 6; 2Cor. 9:8; Eph. 1:6,7; 2:5-8; Jas. 4:6; 1Pet. 5:5).

All of God’s great benefits come through His marvelous grace. We deserve nothing but He gives us everything. Grace moves God to act in behalf of and for the best and eternal good of the whole creation. Grace is seen in acts of judgment as well as in acts of mercy. It works for the benefits of the few as well as of the many. All living creatures have an eternal guarantee of God’s benefits and loving providence through grace. We get through grace “every good and perfect gift” and “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (John 3:16; Rom. 3:24; 5:2, 17-21; 6:14; 8:32; 2Cor. 8:9; 9:8; Eph. 1:6-7; 2:5-8; Jas. 1:17; 4:6; 1Pet. 5:5; 2Pet. 1:3-4). Such benefits are received solely by free moral agents upon the principle of humiliation and entire dependence upon God by faith, realizing that the creature is nothing, and the Creator is all and the source of all Such blessings are wholly apart from works (Rom. 3:24-31; 4:1-4, 16; 5:15-21; 6:14, 15; 11:6; Gal. 2:16; 3:1-12; Eph. 2:7-9).

‘By Jesus Christ’ – Things by Jesus Christ: Righteousness (Rom. 3:22); the grace of God (Rom. 5:15); the reign of righteousness (Rom. 5:21); grace and truth (1Cor. 1:4; John 1:17); peace (Acts 10:36); creation (Eph. 3:9; Col. 1:16-18); reconciliation (2Cor. 5:18); revelation (Gal. 1:12); justification (Gal. 2:16-17); adoption (Eph. 1:5); exceeding riches of grace (Eph. 2:1-22); all needs supplied (Php. 4:19); salvation (1Thess. 5:9); spiritual sacrifices (1Pet. 2:5); a good conscience (1Pet. 3:21); calling to glory (1Pet. 5:10); utterance and knowledge (1Cor. 1:5).

‘Enriched’ [Greek: ploutizo] Enriched in all utterance: the vocal gifts of prophecy, tongues, and interpretation (1Cor. 1:7; 12:4-11; 14:1-40); enriched in all doctrines of the gospel, the testimony of Christ (1Cor. 1:5-6) and enriched in everything, including all the gifts and fruit of the Spirit (1Cor. 1:7; 12:4-11; 13:1-13; Gal. 5:22-23).