The Meaning of 1 Corinthians 15:10 Explained

1 Corinthians 15:10

KJV: 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.

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

Darby: But by God'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 of God which was with me.

ASV: 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 Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does 1 Corinthians 15:10 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Paul"s apostolic calling was a gracious gift from God. The giving of God"s grace proves vain when it does not elicit the appropriate response of loving service. Paul responded to God"s unusually great grace to him by offering back unusually great service to God. However, he did not view his service as self-generated but the product of God"s continual supply of grace to him. God saved Paul by grace, and Paul served God by God"s grace.

Context Summary

1 Corinthians 15:1-11 - The Gospel: Christ Died And Rose Again
If 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 is a psalm of love, this chapter is a psalm of hope-a hope that cannot be ashamed. It is the most memorable argument in existence for the resurrection of the body. We need hardly stay to distinguish between this and the immortality of the soul. The former is distinctly a Christian teaching; the latter has been held by vast numbers outside of the Christian pale.
Notice that the Resurrection was primarily not a doctrine but a fact. It is not necessary to argue it, but simply to say that Christ arose, therefore all will arise, because Christ is the Son of man. Other religions rest on foundations of philosophy and metaphysics, but the empty grave in Joseph's garden is the keystone of the arch. If that cannot be maintained, as it was in the primitive Church, the whole superstructure crumbles like a mass of clouds. But it can be maintained. There is even more evidence for it than for any fact of modern history. Men may as soon refuse to believe in the battle of Waterloo as in our Lord's resurrection. The testimony of Paul is most important, because he knew all that could be alleged or argued against it by the Pharisees. Indeed, he had himself opposed it. Note that the words, not I, 1 Corinthians 15:10, are also in 1 Corinthians 7:10 and Galatians 2:20. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Corinthians 15

1  By Christ's resurrection,
12  he proves the necessity of our resurrection,
16  against all such as deny the resurrection of the body
21  The fruit,
35  and the manner thereof;
51  and of the resurrection of those who shall be found alive at the last day

Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 15:10

What I am [ο ειμι]
Not, who (ος — hos), but what (ο — ho), neuter singular. His actual character and attainments. All “by the grace of God” (χαριτι τεου — chariti theou). [source]
I laboured more abundantly than they all [περισσοτερον αυτων παντων εκοπιασα]
This is sober fact as shown by the Acts and Paul‘s Epistles. He had tremendous energy and used it. Genius is work, Carlyle said. Take Paul as a specimen. [source]
Was not [οὐ ἐγενήθη]
Rev., better, was not found: did not turn out to be. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 15:10

Acts 18:27 Helped them much [συνεβαλετο πολυ]
Second aorist middle indicative of συνβαλλω — sunballō used in Acts 17:18 for “dispute,” old verb to throw together, in the N.T. always in the active save here in the middle (common in Greek writers) to put together, to help. Through grace (δια της χαριτος — dia tēs charitos). This makes sense if taken with “believed,” as Hackett does (cf. Acts 13:48; Acts 16:14) or with “helped” (1 Corinthians 3:10; 1 Corinthians 15:10; 2 Corinthians 1:12). Both are true as the references show. [source]
Acts 18:27 Through grace [δια της χαριτος]
This makes sense if taken with “believed,” as Hackett does (cf. Acts 13:48; Acts 16:14) or with “helped” (1 Corinthians 3:10; 1 Corinthians 15:10; 2 Corinthians 1:12). Both are true as the references show. [source]
1 Thessalonians 1:3 Work - labor - patience [ἔπργου - κόπου - ὑπομονῆς]
Ἔργον workmay mean either the act, the simple transaction, or the process of dealing with anything, or the result of the dealing, - as a book or a picture is called a work. Κόπος laborfrom κόπτειν tostrike or hew; hence, laborious, painful exertion. Ὑπομονὴ patiencepatient endurance and faithful persistence in toil and suffering. See on 2 Peter 1:6; see on James 5:7. The genitives, of faith, love, hope, mark the generating principles of the work and labor and patience, which set their stamp upon each; thus, work which springs from faith, and is characteristic of faith. The phrase patience of hope is found only here; but see Romans 5:4; Romans 8:25; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 8:7; Hebrews 7:11, Hebrews 7:12. ὑπομονὴ in lxx, see 1 Chronicles 29:15; Job 14:19; Psalm 9:18; Psalm 38:7; Jeremiah href="/desk/?q=jer+4:8&sr=1">Jeremiah 4:8. We have here the great triad of Christian graces, corresponding to 1 Corinthians 8:1-13. Hope is prominent throughout the two Epistles. The triad appears, 1 Thessalonians 5:8; Galatians 5:5, Galatians 5:6; 1 Corinthians 8:13; Ephesians 4:2-5; Colossians 1:4, Colossians 1:5; Hebrews 10:22-24; 1 Peter 1:21-22. Comp. 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:8; 2 Thessalonians 3:5, 2 Thessalonians 3:8; 1 Corinthians 15:10, 1 Corinthians 15:58; 2 Corinthians 11:27; Revelation 2:2. [source]
1 Timothy 5:17 Let be counted worthy [αχιουστωσαν]
Present passive imperative of αχιοω — axioō to deem worthy (2 Thessalonians 1:11). With genitive case here. Of double honour (διπλης τιμης — diplēs timēs). Old and common contract adjective (διπλοος — diploos two-fold, in opposition to απλοος — haploos single fold). But why “of double honour”? See note on 1 Timothy 6:1 for “of all honour.” White suggests “remuneration” rather than “honour” for τιμης — timēs (a common use for price or pay). Liddon proposes “honorarium” (both honour and pay and so “double”). Wetstein gives numerous examples of soldiers receiving double pay for unusual services. Some suggest twice the pay given the enrolled widows. Especially those who labour in word and teaching Either those who work hard or toil (usual meaning of κοπιαω — kopiaō 2 Timothy 2:6) in preaching and teaching (most probable meaning. See 1 Timothy 5:18) or those who teach and preach and not merely preside (a doubtful distinction in “elders” at this time). See Titus 1:8. See both κοπιαω — kopiaō and προισταμαι — proistamai used for same men (elders) in 1 Thessalonians 5:12 and the use of κοπιαω — kopiaō in 1 Corinthians 15:10; 1 Corinthians 16:16. [source]
1 Timothy 5:17 Especially those who labour in word and teaching [μαλιστα οι κοπιωντες εν λογωι και διδασκαλιαι]
Either those who work hard or toil (usual meaning of κοπιαω — kopiaō 2 Timothy 2:6) in preaching and teaching (most probable meaning. See 1 Timothy 5:18) or those who teach and preach and not merely preside (a doubtful distinction in “elders” at this time). See Titus 1:8. See both κοπιαω — kopiaō and προισταμαι — proistamai used for same men (elders) in 1 Thessalonians 5:12 and the use of κοπιαω — kopiaō in 1 Corinthians 15:10; 1 Corinthians 16:16. [source]
Hebrews 13:9 With grace, not with meats [χάριτι οὐ βρώμασιν]
The heart is the proper seat of the work of grace. Free grace is the motive-power of Christ's sacrifice (2 Corinthians 8:9; Galatians 1:15); it is behind the blood of the new covenant, and is the energetic principle of its saving operation. See Romans 5:2, Romans 5:15; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 2:5, Ephesians 2:7, Ephesians 2:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:16; Hebrews 2:9; Hebrews 4:16; Hebrews 10:29. With meats stands for the whole system of ceremonial observances, in contrast with grace, working on the heart. See Hebrews 9:10. This ceremonial system yielded no permanent benefit to those who lived under it. See Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 9:9, Hebrews 9:13, Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 10:1, Hebrews 10:2, Hebrews 10:4. [source]
Revelation 2:2 Labor [κόπον]
Originally suffering, weariness; hence exhausting labor. The kindred verb κοπιάω is often used of apostolic and ministerial labor (Romans 16:12; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Galatians 4:11). [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Corinthians 15:10 mean?

[By the] grace however of God I am what and the grace of Him - toward me not void has been Rather more abundantly than them all I toiled not I but - that [was] with me
χάριτι δὲ Θεοῦ εἰμι καὶ χάρις αὐτοῦ εἰς ἐμὲ οὐ κενὴ ἐγενήθη ἀλλὰ περισσότερον αὐτῶν πάντων ἐκοπίασα οὐκ ἐγὼ ἀλλὰ τοῦ ‹ἡ› σὺν ἐμοί

χάριτι  [By  the]  grace 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: χάρις  
Sense: grace.
δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
Θεοῦ  of  God 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
εἰμι  I  am 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
χάρις  grace 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: χάρις  
Sense: grace.
αὐτοῦ  of  Him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
εἰς  toward 
Parse: Preposition
Root: εἰς  
Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
ἐμὲ  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
κενὴ  void 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: κενός  
Sense: empty, vain, devoid of truth.
ἐγενήθη  has  been 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: γίνομαι  
Sense: to become, i.
ἀλλὰ  Rather 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἀλλά  
Sense: but.
περισσότερον  more  abundantly 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular, Comparative
Root: περισσός  
Sense: exceeding some number or measure or rank or need.
αὐτῶν  than  them 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
ἐκοπίασα  I  toiled 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: κοπιάω  
Sense: to grow weary, tired, exhausted (with toil or burdens or grief).
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
‹ἡ›  that  [was] 
Parse: Article, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἐμοί  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.