1 Corinthians 4:7
“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?”
This “nugget” of a verse sits smack in the middle of a VERY interesting situational context. Paul uses the opportunity to create a teaching moment and drop three very significant spiritual truths, all couched in the form of three questions which the writer Paul knew the Corinthians could easily answer.
Historical / Cultural Context:
Situational Context (Who is speaking, who is listening, and why would these words be important to the hearers?)
Grammatical Context (How does this verse fit into the context of 1 Corinthians 3 & 4?)
What does this verse say?
What does this verse mean?
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.