What does 1 Corinthians 1:7 mean?

Paul is giving thanks for what God has done and will do for the Christians in Corinth. Much of his letter to them will focus on corrections they must make in their attitudes and behaviors. Here, though, Paul assures them that a lack of gifts from God is not one of their problems.

In verse 5, Paul wrote that, by God's grace, the believers of Corinth have been enriched in all speech and all knowledge. This may have been a reference to unique spiritual gifts, possibly including speaking in tongues. Paul will address that later in this letter. Now he adds they are not lacking in "any gift." In other words, God has fully equipped the Corinthian Christians with everything they need to lead the lives He is calling them to.

As Paul wrote in the previous verse, this confirms they have truly believed and are already accepted by God. Their salvation is settled. Now they can look forward to the revelation of Jesus at His return, instead of dreading it. When that day of the Lord comes, God will welcome them because of His grace through their faith in Jesus.

Paul speaks often in his letters about this day of Christ's return and judgment, as he does in the following verse.