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.
Study Note
Study Note
Paul's self-description — 'by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me' — models a theology of grace and effort that refuses both passivity ('grace means I don't need to work') and self-reliance ('I have achieved this myself'). The paradox is deliberately maintained: 'I worked... it was not I' — genuine human agency and divine empowering are not opposed but identical. This verse has been foundational for the Augustinian-Thomist tradition on operative and cooperative grace, and for Reformed discussions of sanctification as simultaneously God's work and the believer's effort. The context (listing the resurrection appearances, verse 5-10) makes the grace in view specifically the grace of apostolic calling despite being 'the least of the apostles.'
Other Translations
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not found vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
and by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace that <FI>is<Fi> towards me came not in vain, but more abundantly than they all did I labour, yet not I, but the grace of God that <FI>is<Fi> with me;
But by the grace of God, I am what I am: and his grace which was given to me has not been for nothing; for I did more work than all of them; though not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Cross References
For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed …
For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou …
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward …
Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect …
I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: …
If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above …