Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 4:7
For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian church, correcting their factional pride in following him or Apollos (v. 6). The rhetorical triple question targets their self-elevation directly.
The words — διακρίνει (diakrinei) literally means "to make a distinction" or "to differentiate," sharper than the English "makes you superior"; it asks what criterion sets you apart. The paired τίς / τί ("who / what") compresses the whole argument into two interrogatives.
The thread — John 3:27 states a man receives only what heaven gives; James 1:17 traces every good gift to the Father above; 1 Peter 4:10 calls believers stewards of grace received. The common claim: nothing good is self-generated.
Why it lands — If every asset is received, the ground for boasting is removed at the root. The verse asks the reader to audit any claim of superiority and recognize it as unearned.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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?
Cross-references
- John 3:27 John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.
- James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.
- 1 Peter 4:10 As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.
- 1 Chronicles 29:11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in heaven and on earth belongs to You. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom, and You are exalted as head over all.
- John 1:16 From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace.
- Romans 12:6 We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith;
- Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
- Luke 19:13 Beforehand, he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Conduct business with this until I return,’ he said.
- 1 Timothy 1:12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, that He considered me faithful and appointed me to service.
- 2 Chronicles 32:23 Many brought offerings to Jerusalem for the LORD and valuable gifts for Hezekiah king of Judah, and from then on he was exalted in the eyes of all nations.