Charles Ellicott 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. These are expressions of thankfulness (1 Corinthians 1:4–9), which also serve to secure at the very outset the attention of those to whom the Apostle is writing.

He thus shows that he is not blind to, or forgetful of, their good qualities, although this Epistle is specially written to rebuke their present sins. He also shows that he is not about to utter words of hopeless condemnation, but of wholesome warning.

The emphatic use of the singular, I thank my God, in contrast to the plural in the previous verses, indicates that St. Paul does not join Sosthenes with him as author of the Epistle, but that it is written in his name alone and with his sole authority.

The grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ. A better rendering is the grace of God given you in Christ Jesus—that is, given to you as being in Christ.