1 Corinthians 4:7
New International Version
For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

New Living Translation
For what gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?

English Standard Version
For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?

Berean Standard Bible
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 Literal Bible
For who makes you any different? And what do you have that you did not receive? And if also you did receive it, why do you boast as not having received it?

King James Bible
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?

New King James Version
For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

New American Standard Bible
For who considers you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

NASB 1995
For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

NASB 1977
For who regards you as superior? And what do you have that you did not receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

Legacy Standard Bible
For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

Amplified Bible
For who regards you as superior or what sets you apart as special? What do you have that you did not receive [from another]? And if in fact you received it [from God or someone else], why do you boast as if you had not received it [but had gained it by yourself]?

Christian Standard Bible
For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you didn’t receive? If, in fact, you did receive it, why do you boast as if you hadn’t received it?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you didn’t receive? If, in fact, you did receive it, why do you boast as if you hadn’t received it?

American Standard Version
For who maketh thee to differ? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? but if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it?

Contemporary English Version
What is so special about you? What do you have that you were not given? And if it was given to you, how can you brag?

English Revised Version
For who maketh thee to differ? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? but if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Who says that you are any better than other people? What do you have that wasn't given to you? If you were given what you have, why are you bragging as if it weren't a gift?

Good News Translation
Who made you superior to others? Didn't God give you everything you have? Well, then, how can you boast, as if what you have were not a gift?

International Standard Version
For who makes you 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 receive it?

Majority Standard Bible
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?

NET Bible
For who concedes you any superiority? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as though you did not?

New Heart English Bible
For who makes you different? And what do you have that you did not receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

Webster's Bible Translation
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?

Weymouth New Testament
Why, who gives you your superiority, my brother? Or what have you that you did not receive? And if you really did receive it, why boast as if this were not so?

World English Bible
For who makes you different? And what do you have that you didn’t receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for who makes you to differ? And what do you have, that you did not receive? And if you also received, why do you glory as not having received?

Berean Literal Bible
For who makes you any different? And what do you have that you did not receive? And if also you did receive it, why do you boast as not having received it?

Young's Literal Translation
for who doth make thee to differ? and what hast thou, that thou didst not receive? and if thou didst also receive, why dost thou glory as not having received?

Smith's Literal Translation
For who distinguishes thee? and what hast thou which thou didst not receive? and if thou also didst receive, why dost thou boast, as not having received?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For who distinguisheth thee ? Or what hast thou that thou hast not received ? And if thou hast received, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it ?

Catholic Public Domain Version
For what distinguishes you from another? And what do you have that you have not received? But if you have received it, why do you glory, as if you had not received it?

New American Bible
Who confers distinction upon you? What do you possess that you have not received? But if you have received it, why are you boasting as if you did not receive it?

New Revised Standard Version
For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For who has inquired into you? And what do you have which was not given to you? and if you did receive it, then why do you boast, as if you had not received it?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For who is investigating you, and what do you have that you have not received? And if you have received, why are you boasting as if it is what you have not received?
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For who gave you distinction, as a teacher? And what have you as a teacher, that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast, as if you had not received it?

Godbey New Testament
For who judges you? and what have you which you did not receive. But if indeed you received it, why do you boast, as not having received it?

Haweis New Testament
For who distinguisheth thee? and what hast thou which thou hast not received? But if thou also hast received it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

Mace New Testament
for who has distinguish'd thee above another? or what have you, that you did not receive? now if you did receive it, why do you glory as if you had not received it?

Weymouth New Testament
Why, who gives you your superiority, my brother? Or what have you that you did not receive? And if you really did receive it, why boast as if this were not so?

Worrell New Testament
For who makes you to differ? And what do you have, that you did not receive? But, if you did receive it, why are you boasting, as if you did not receive it?

Worsley New Testament
For who maketh thee to differ? and what hast thou, which thou didst not receive? And if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Fools for Christ
6Brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written. Then you will not take pride in one man over another. 7For 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? 8Already you have all you want. Already you have become rich. Without us, you have become kings. How I wish you really were kings, so that we might be kings with you!…

Cross References
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.

Romans 12:3
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.

John 3:27
John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11
There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. / There are different ministries, but the same Lord. / There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people. ...

Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, / not by works, so that no one can boast.

Romans 11:35-36
“Who has first given to God, that God should repay him?” / For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.

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.

Matthew 25:14-30
For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions. / To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent—each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey. / The servant who had received the five talents went at once and put them to work and gained five more. ...

Luke 12:48
But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded.

Philippians 2:13
For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.

2 Corinthians 3:5
Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God.

Deuteronomy 8:17-18
You might say in your heart, “The power and strength of my hands have made this wealth for me.” / But remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers even to this day.

Proverbs 16:9
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

Jeremiah 9:23-24
This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. / But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.

Isaiah 26:12
O LORD, You will establish peace for us. For all that we have accomplished, You have done for us.


Treasury of Scripture

For who makes you to differ from another? and what have you that you did not receive? now if you did receive it, why do you glory, as if you had not received it?

who.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit…

1 Corinthians 15:10
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.

Romans 9:16-18
So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy…

maketh thee to differ.

1 Corinthians 3:5
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

1 Corinthians 7:7
For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.

1 Chronicles 29:11-16
Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all…

why.

1 Corinthians 5:6
Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

2 Chronicles 32:23-29
And many brought gifts unto the LORD to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth…

Ezekiel 28:2-5
Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God: …

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1 Corinthians 4
1. In what account the apostles ought to be regarded.
7. We have nothing which we have not received.
9. The apostles spectacles to the world, angels, and men;
13. the filth and offscouring of the world;
15. yet our fathers in Christ;
16. whom we ought to follow.














For who makes you so special?
This phrase challenges the Corinthian believers to consider the source of their abilities and status. The Greek word for "makes" (ποιεῖ) implies an action of creation or formation. Historically, the Corinthians were known for their pride in spiritual gifts and wisdom. Paul is reminding them that any distinction they have is not self-generated but granted by God. This echoes the biblical theme that all good things come from above (James 1:17).

What do you have that you did not receive?
Here, Paul emphasizes the concept of grace. The Greek word for "receive" (ἔλαβες) suggests a passive action, highlighting that the Corinthians' gifts and talents are not earned but given. This reflects the broader biblical narrative of God as the ultimate giver, as seen in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), where servants are entrusted with resources to steward, not to claim ownership over.

And if you did receive it
This conditional phrase reinforces the previous point, urging the Corinthians to acknowledge the source of their blessings. The use of "if" (εἰ) in Greek can be understood as "since," indicating a certainty that they have indeed received their gifts from God. This aligns with the scriptural teaching that everything we have is a result of God's grace and provision (1 Peter 4:10).

why do you boast as though you did not?
Paul confronts the issue of pride and self-sufficiency. The Greek word for "boast" (καυχᾶσθαι) carries a connotation of glorying in oneself. Historically, Corinth was a city of wealth and knowledge, and its church members were tempted to take personal credit for their spiritual and material blessings. This rhetorical question serves as a corrective, reminding them of the humility required of believers, as taught in Philippians 2:3-4, where Paul urges Christians to consider others better than themselves.

(7) For . . .--This is the explanation of why such "puffing up" is absurd. Even if one possess some gift or power, he has not attained it by his own excellence or power; it is the free gift of God.

Verse 7. - Who maketh thee to differ? literally, Who distinguisheth thee? He means that this glorification and depreciation of rival views and rival teachers sprang from unwarrantable arrogance. It involved a claim to superiority, and a right to sit in judgment, which they did not possess. That thou didst not receive? Even supposing that you have some special gift, it is a gift, not a merit, and therefore it is a boon for which to be thankful, not a pre-eminence of which to boast.

"Satan, I know thy power, and thou know'st mine,
Neither our own, but given. What folly, then,
To try what arms can do!"


(Milton, 'Paradise Lost.')

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For
γάρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

who
τίς (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

makes you so superior?
διακρίνει (diakrinei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1252: From dia and krino; to separate thoroughly, i.e. to withdraw from, or oppose; figuratively, to discriminate, or hesitate.

What
τί (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

do you have
ἔχεις (echeis)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

that
(ho)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

you did not receive?
ἔλαβες (elabes)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.

And
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

if
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

you did receive [it],
ἔλαβες (elabes)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.

why
τί (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

do you boast
καυχᾶσαι (kauchasai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2744: To boast; I glory (exult) proudly. From some base akin to that of aucheo and euchomai; to vaunt.

as though
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

[you did not]?
λαβών (labōn)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 4:7 For who makes you different? And what (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 4:6
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