1 Corinthians 1:5

Paul continues explaining what specifically he's grateful for in the Corinthian believers — they have been 'enriched' by God in their speaking and their knowledge. 'Speaking' likely refers to the ability to communicate faith clearly and boldly, possibly including gifts like teaching or prophecy. 'Knowledge' points to spiritual understanding and insight into God's truth. The word Paul uses for 'enriched' is the same word used to describe becoming financially wealthy. He's saying that through their connection to Jesus, these imperfect, complicated people have become spiritually wealthy — not because they were impressive, but because God gave generously to them.

Lord, I confess I often feel unequipped and under-prepared for the things you put in front of me. Remind me that in you I have been made rich — not by my effort, but by your grace. Help me speak and understand with the quiet confidence of someone who has been genuinely given something. Amen.

There's a particular kind of exhaustion that comes from trying to make yourself enough. Enough articulate in a conversation about faith. Enough spiritually wise when someone you love is falling apart at 3 AM. Enough equipped to do the thing you feel quietly called to. You study, stretch, second-guess yourself — and still feel like you're working from a deficit. Paul's description of the Corinthian church lands differently against that backdrop. These were not polished or impressive people. They were fractured and messy. And yet Paul says they were *enriched* — made wealthy — in their speech and in their knowledge. Past tense. Already done. The enrichment Paul describes isn't the fruit of their effort. It comes 'in him' — a phrase Paul uses throughout his letters to describe the spiritual reality of belonging to Jesus. Whatever you're carrying today — the faith conversation you fumbled last week, the moment you didn't know what to say, the question you still can't answer — you are not operating from a deficit. You've been given what you need. The real question isn't whether God has resourced you. It's whether you'll trust that enough to show up anyway.