Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Corinthians 1:4

"I thank my God always concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus;" — 1 Corinthians 1:4 (ASV)

I thank my God, etc. No small part of this epistle is occupied with reproofs for the disorders that had arisen in the church at Corinth. Before proceeding, however, to the specific statement of those disorders (1 Corinthians 1:10 and following), the apostle commends them for the attainments which they had really made in Divine knowledge, and thus shows that he was disposed to concede to them all that he could.

It was no part of Paul's disposition to withhold commendation where it was due. On the contrary, as he was disposed to be faithful in reproving the errors of Christians, he was no less disposed to commend them when it could be done. .

A willingness to commend those who do well is as much in accordance with the gospel as a disposition to reprove where it is deserved; and a minister or a parent may frequently do as much positive good by judicious commendation as by reproof, and much more than by fault-finding and harsh accusation.

On your behalf. In respect to you; that God has conferred these favors on you.

For the grace of God. On account of the favors which God has bestowed on you through the Lord Jesus. Those favors are specified in the following verses. For the meaning of the word grace .