In this time of the year, many people are counting their many blessings and giving thanks to God. We may give thanks for the many physical blessings that God has blessed us with (e.g. food, shelter, financial income, etc.). We may give thanks for the many spiritual blessings that God has blessed us with (e.g. salvation, the scriptures, hope, peace, grace, etc.). We may give thanks on behalf of others around us, for the blessings (physical & spiritual) that they have received from God. We may even give thank to God for others around us, who have been a blessing to us. But, do we give thanks for those who currently have so many flaws in their walk with God and with others? - Paul did.
In fact, Paul regularly gave thanks for people, before then telling them the various ways in which they needed to grow. Paul begins almost every letter with a section of thanksgiving for the group/ individual to whom he was writing (Rom. 1:8-10; Eph. 1:15-17; Phil. 1:3-11; Col. 1:3-14; 1 Thess. 1:2-10; 2 Thess. 1:3-4; 2 Tim. 1:3-7; Philemon 1:4-7).
That being said, there are a very few letters that Paul does not begin with words of thanksgiving for those involved. He is not just tossing around meaningless thanksgivings for situations for which he is not sincerely thankful about. The letter to the Galatians skips the thanksgiving for them, in order to instead express how amazed he is that they are deserting the gospel for a lie (Gal. 1:6-10). Paul skips the thanksgivings in 1 Timothy & Titus, in order to jump right into warning Timothy and Titus about the false teachers who are impacting the congregations that they are ministering to in Ephesus and Crete (1 Tim. 1:3-11; Titus 1:5-16). So, if there was a serious situation with those who are in error, then Paul didn’t express half-hearted or insincere thanksgiving for their faith, but instead gave sincere warnings and/ or condemnations against the error that was being taught in those congregations.
So, what about Corinth? The Corinthian church was full of division (chapters 1-4, 6-14), accepting of immorality (chapter 5), they were bringing lawsuits against one another (chapter 6), their worship had all kinds of issues (especially with the Lord’s Supper - chapters 10-11), there were people beginning to deny the resurrection (chapter 15), and the list of their flaws might go on. Surely, Paul did not give thanks for these people who were full of flaws, right? - Wrong.
In 1 Corinthians 1:4-9, Paul begins his letter to the Corinthians (which is full of corrections of their errors), with a prayer of thanksgiving for them. Before strongly exhorting them to stop being divided, to cast out the immoral sinner, and to correct their worship; Paul first dwells on what was honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellent, and worthy of praise (Phil. 4:8). Once he considered what he could sincerely thank the Lord for about the Corinthians, he gave thanks to God (“always” - vs. 4, NASB95) for them. This began the letter on a positive note, before having to spend almost the rest of the letter with some firm condemnation and correction.
What could Paul possibly have to be grateful about with such a struggling congregation? What might we be able to give thanks for about an individual (or congregation), that we know, who has many flaws? Paul gave thanks for:
“…the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus…” (vs. 4, NASB95). - Let us give thanks for the grace that God has given to all of us through Jesus, especially give thanks for the grace offered to those who are struggling.
“…that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge…” (vs. 5, NASB95). - Let us give thanks for the grace that God gives which enriches those in Him. Let us give thanks that we and others have been taught the truth and been given knowledge through someone’s speech, and be thankful when they are using their speech to pass on that knowledge to others.
“…even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you…” (vs. 6, NASB95). - Let us give thanks that God presented His word through the prophets and confirmed it to the first century through the miracles. Let us give thanks when God’s good news is shown in the lives of those who have received it, so that they prove that the will of God is good and acceptable and perfect (Rom. 12:2).
“…so that you are not lacking in any gift…” (vs. 7, NASB95). - Paul gave thanks that the Corinthians were given various miraculous gifts, even though they were using those gifts in arrogance and division (chapters 12-14). He would later correct their use of the gifts, but he was still thankful that they received the spiritual gifts and had the opportunity to use them correctly as confirmation of the gospel. Let us give thanks for the blessings that others have received today, even if they misuse those abilities/ resources/ opportunities/ etc. Let us be thankful that they have those blessings, then help them understand how to correctly use those blessings for the Lord.
“…awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ…” (vs. 7, NASB95). - They may have doubted the concept of resurrection (chapter 15), but they seemed to have no doubt that Christ would return. Paul would later correct their thinking about the resurrection and point out that if there is no resurrection, then even Christ Himself was not raised, and we would have nothing to have hope in (1 Cor. 15:12-19); but, for now, Paul is thankful that they are eagerly awaiting the return of Jesus. Let us be thankful that others are eagerly awaiting Christ’s return, even if they are misunderstanding or doubting how all of that might work, or not living in such a way that is ready for His return. Let us give thanks that they are considering Christ’s return, then let us help them get ready for that return.
“… who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (vs. 8, NASB95). - They were clearly not blameless (Paul would go on showing them their sin throughout the rest of the book), but he was thankful that Jesus was able to make them blameless through His grace, and then present them as blameless on the day of judgement. Let us give thanks that Jesus can forgive those who are in error, cleanse them, and present them blameless on the judgement day, even if they are full of flaws in the current moment. Then, let us teach them about those faults, so that they may repent and receive that grace in Jesus.
“God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (vs. 9, NASB95). - Let us give thanks that our God is faithful, and that He has called us into fellowship/ partnership with His Son. Let us give thanks that our faithful God has called others (even those who are working through many flaws) into that fellowship/ sharing in His Son.
As you consider all the things and people that you are thankful for, don’t forget to give thanks for what God has done in the lives of others, even in the lives of those who currently have many flaws. Don’t say insincere prayers of thanksgiving for things that you are not thankful for, but find the good things in that person’s life that you can sincerely thank the Lord for, then give Him the thanks and praise!