The passage
      v4. Although Paul is often burdened by what he calls his "concern for all the churches", 2Cor.11:28, he none-the-less can give thanks for his brothers and sisters in the Lord. He can separate their problems from their spiritual state.
      v5. Paul goes on to identify two of the spiritual gifts which are in abundance in the Corinthian church, but he does so by underlining the fact that they possess these gifts "in him" (in Christ). The gifts are given by God through the work of Christ to those who associate with (are "in") Christ. The two important gifts are first, "speaking", in the sense of spiritual utterance, and second, "knowledge", in the sense of spiritual insight.
      v6. The spiritual gifts which the Corinthians possess are a consequence of Paul's ground-breaking gospel ministry in their midst. The gifts are "because of our testimony about Christ." The gifts serve as a confirmation of the power of the gospel and of the validity of Paul's preaching ministry.
      v7. As a consequence of their acceptance of the gospel, the Corinthians were endowed with an abundance of "spiritual gifts". This does not mean that they were extraordinary because they possessed such gifts, but just that they did not miss out in this department. They possessed the normal spiritual gifts of a church empowered by the Spirit of God. Thankfully, these gifts will serve the church until the coming of Christ.
      v8. Although the Corinthians have not yet arrived, they will indeed share in the day when Christ is "revealed". "He (God) will keep you strong (confirm, or guarantee you) to the end". The word "confirm", in the sense of guaranteeing to the end, is a better reading than "strengthen". God will see to it that they will arrive on that day. On that day they will arrive "blameless", guiltless and sinless before the Judge of the universe, and this because their sinfulness is transferred to Christ while Christ's righteousness is transferred to them. Their state of purity will be proclaimed on "the day of our Lord Jesus Christ". This day is the Old Testament "day of the Lord" and it will be the day of judgement for God's people.
      v9. The "guarantee" that the Corinthians will arrive safely on the day of the Lord, rests with the character of God himself: He "is faithful". The God of Israel has shown himself to be a dependable and reliable God, Deut.7:9, Ps.144:13. So, the God who called them into fellowship with Christ will get them through to the end.

Realistic expectations
      False expectations are terribly dangerous. For example, when it comes to marriage, unrealistic expectations can easily undermine a loving relationship. The Christian walk is no less vulnerable and so it is helpful for us to take note of the realistic expectations that Paul lists in our passage for study. What is essential in the Christian life is to know the truth - understand the mind of God. We must fill ourselves with realistic expectations when it comes to our personal walk with Christ, our Christian fellowship and our life in the world.

1. Grace - "spiritual gifts", v4-7
      What are our expectations for the church? Are we looking for a big congregation, a thriving youth ministry, ..... ? Given the demographics of our suburb, we may have little hope of realizing these particular expectations. Let our expectation be for an enrichment of spiritual gifts such that we lack nothing in this department. In particular, that the proclamation of the Word of God is spiritually powerful so that we may grow in the wisdom and knowledge of God.

2. Guarantee - "blameless", v8
      Many Christians today lack assurance in their standing before God. This fear is often driven by the false expectation that Jesus loves good little boys and girls. Let our expectation rest on God's intention to present us "blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." He is faithful and because of Christ's righteousness, he will do it for us. We insult our Lord when we try to earn what he freely gives us.

3. Goodwill - "fellowship", v9
      False expectations can have Jesus deciding who we should marry, starting our cars in wet weather, finding that illusive parking spot for us, getting us through exams and protecting us from influenza. Let our expectation be for his friendship. Like any good friend, he will do what he has promised to do.

v4
      eucaristw (eucaristew) pres. "I [always] thank [God]" - give thanks. The thanksgiving is an important introduction to Paul's letters. Such introductions (the exordium) were common in rhetoric of the time.
      cariti (iV ewV) "grace" - Paul gives thanks to God for the "grace" the Corinthians have received "in Christ". This "grace" may be taken in a general sense as God's undeserved favour, but also it may be, in a more specific sense, referring to the "gifts of grace" the Corinthians now boast of. These "gifts" are the spiritual abilities (the charismata) of which the Corinthian church has in abundance.

v5
      eploutisqhte (ploutizw) aor. pas. "you have been enriched" - you were made exceedingly wealthy. "You have received a wealth of blessings."
      logw/ (oV) "speaking" - speaking, or utterance in the spirit. The NIV misses the thrust of this word which would be better translated as "spiritual utterance". The letter itself defines what Paul means by the word logos. It refers to speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecy...... all forms of spiritual utterance. The Corinthians have turned these gifts into a major cause of dissension in the church, yet they are still gifts from God which, when rightly used, bring blessing. Paul can therefore give thanks for the gift while later condemning its misuse.
      gnwsei (iV ewV) "knowledge" - Again, the context of this letter defines the meaning of the word. It is knowledge, wisdom.... spiritual insight, which serve as the basis of ecstatic prophetic revelation.

v6
      kaqwV "because" - as, just as, insomuch as. "Insomuch as", rather than introducing a parallel statement or an illustration.
      marturion (on) "witness" - testimony. The witness borne [by our preaching] in Christ", Robertson.
      ebebaiwqh (bebaiow) aor. pas. "was confirmed" - was authenticated, confirmed, guaranteed. "Was brought home to your deepest conviction as true by the witness of the Spirit", Robertson.

v7
      carismati (a) "gift" - spiritual gift. These are spiritually enriched abilities given to the church by Christ through the ministry of the Spirit for the upbuilding of the members of the congregation. The word is also used of the divine gift of salvation, as well as any grace or mercy bestowed by God. Here it is obviously referring to "spiritual abilities."
      apekdecomenouV (apekdecomai) pres. part. "eagerly wait" - waiting expectantly. Temporal pardiciple, "during these days of waiting", Moffatt. Note the double prepositions in the prefix denoting the intensity of the waiting. The word is used of believers waiting for the coming of the Lord.
      apokaluyin (iV ewV) "revelation" - unveiling. Paul states that the present spiritual blessings operative in the Corinthian church reflect a strong desire for the culmination of all things in the second coming of Christ. Paul sometimes uses the word "coming" to speak of this event, and at other times, as here, he uses the word "revelation". The point he is making reflects the view that spiritual gifts are something for this age and not the age to come. In that sense they must not be over-stressed. This is of course exactly what the Corinthians are doing. In technical terms the Corinthians have an over-realized eschatology.

v8
      bebaiwsei (bebaiow) fut. "will keep [you] strong" - will confirm, guarantee.... is better than strengthen. Origin asked "who keeps us strong?" and answered "Jesus Christ."
      telouV (oV) "end" - end, goal. Most often when time is in mind, but can mean "complete". Here the "end" of this world is in mind.
      anegklhtouV adj. "blameless" - free of accusation, unimpeachable. The word doesn't imply freedom from sin, but rather freedom from condemnation.