UASV’s Daily Devotional All Things Bible, Wednesday, June 04, 2025

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By the Grace of God I Am What I Am: A Devotional on 1 Corinthians 15:10

Grace Does Not Excuse Inactivity—It Empowers Obedience

In this single verse, Paul presents one of the most balanced, clear, and deeply personal descriptions of divine grace in all of Scripture. He neither minimizes human responsibility nor exaggerates personal effort. He does not claim success on his own, nor does he reduce himself to an inactive recipient. Instead, he sets forth a pattern: grace changes a person entirely—and demands a response of faithful labor.

This verse is part of Paul’s extensive defense of the bodily resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15. In the early portion of the chapter, Paul reminds the church of the foundational gospel message: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day, all “according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). He then recounts a series of post-resurrection appearances, including the final appearance to himself—“as to one born prematurely” (verse 8). It is in that context that Paul reflects on the transforming power of God’s grace in his life.

“But by God’s undeserved kindness I am what I am…”

The phrase translated “undeserved kindness” is χάριτι δὲ θεοῦ (chariti de Theou), meaning “by the grace of God.” Grace, in its biblical usage, refers not to vague favor or religious sentiment, but to God’s unearned, benevolent action toward man, especially in calling, forgiving, and empowering him for faithful service.

Paul speaks autobiographically: “I am what I am.” This is not a boast or a resignation. It is a sober acknowledgment that everything he has become—as an apostle, teacher, and servant—is due entirely to God’s gracious intervention.

Paul had formerly been “a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man” (1 Timothy 1:13). He actively hunted the early followers of Jesus, trying to destroy the church (Acts 8:3; Galatians 1:13). By all human standards, Paul was beyond hope. But Jehovah, in His wisdom and foreknowledge, chose to extend mercy to Paul, not because he deserved it, but because God’s plan included him as a vessel for proclaiming the gospel to the Gentiles.

The statement “I am what I am” is therefore not about self-acceptance or personality—it is about divine transformation. It means: All I am as a redeemed man, an apostle, and a laborer in the kingdom is due to Jehovah’s gracious work.

“…and his undeserved kindness toward me did not prove to be in vain…”

Paul is careful to state that the grace shown to him was not empty, or without result. The Greek word κενὴ (kenē) means void, useless, or lacking effect. Paul’s point is straightforward: God’s grace is never intended to leave a person unchanged.

God’s grace is not an excuse for spiritual laziness, nor a license for sin. It is a divine power that produces real fruit in the life of the one who receives it. In Paul’s case, that fruit was labor—intense, sacrificial, ongoing labor in the work of the gospel.

Paul knew that many people abused the concept of grace, either by treating it as a license to sin (Romans 6:1) or as a reason to avoid effort. But Paul rejects that notion completely. Grace is powerful, not passive. It does not remove responsibility; it fuels it. If a person truly receives grace, that grace will not be in vain, because it will compel them to live for God’s glory.

“…but I labored more abundantly than all of them…”

Here, Paul does not shy away from acknowledging his own effort. The verb ἐκοπίασα (ekopiasa) means to labor to the point of exhaustion. It describes intense toil, both physical and mental, often accompanied by suffering. Paul had endured imprisonments, beatings, shipwrecks, hunger, persecution, and constant danger (2 Corinthians 11:23–28), all for the sake of preaching Christ.

When Paul says he labored “more abundantly,” he does not say it in pride. He is simply stating a fact: his life was marked by tireless commitment to the mission given to him. He had not received the grace of God only to sit idly or rely on others. He poured himself out in service, driven by gratitude for what Jehovah had done in his life.

Importantly, he does not contrast himself against the other apostles to elevate himself, but to show that grace compels labor. Every faithful servant of God must understand this: grace does not remove the need for work—it demands it. The believer is not saved by works, but once saved by grace, he is created in Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2:10).

“…yet not I, but the undeserved kindness of God that is with me.”

Paul guards against any possible misinterpretation. Although he labored intensely, he did not do so in his own strength. He did not take credit for the fruit of his labor. He immediately adds: “yet not I, but the undeserved kindness of God that is with me.”

This is not contradiction, but clarification. Paul labored, yes—but the power, resolve, and ability to carry out that labor did not originate with him. It was the grace of God, with him, that enabled it.

The phrase “with me” implies ongoing partnership. Grace was not merely the means of Paul’s salvation—it was the sustaining force behind his entire ministry. From his conversion on the road to Damascus to his final imprisonment in Rome, grace was the enduring presence that kept him faithful, focused, and effective.

Paul’s humility here serves as a pattern for all believers: never claim credit for what God produces in your life. Labor intensely, yes—but always acknowledge the source. The Christian life is a cooperative effort, but one in which God’s role is foundational and decisive.

Application: Living in the Power of Grace

Acknowledge your total dependence on grace
Everything you are as a Christian is by the grace of God—your calling, your faith, your ability to obey. Never forget this. Be humble and grateful.
Do not let grace be in vain
God’s grace toward you was not intended to sit unused. Are you laboring in the kingdom? Are you living for His purposes? If grace has truly reached you, it will produce active faithfulness.
Work with all your strength, but trust in God’s provision
Do not become passive, nor should you rely solely on yourself. Labor fully, but recognize that every success, every step forward, is due to God’s grace working with you.
Encourage others by your example of grace-fueled labor
Your life should inspire others—not by your talent, but by your commitment. Let them see that you labor because God has shown you mercy—and that His mercy is not wasted.
Never confuse grace with permission for complacency
Grace is not freedom to coast. It is the power to obey. Let your life be a testimony to the truth that God’s grace changes everything.

Conclusion: Grace That Works, and Works That Glorify Grace

1 Corinthians 15:10 is Paul’s personal testimony, but it is also the pattern for every true Christian. The grace of God is not a static gift—it is a dynamic force. It saves, and it empowers. It justifies, and it sanctifies. It forgives, and it transforms.

Paul’s life was radically altered by that grace, and so must ours be. If we claim to have received it, our lives should reflect its power. And if we labor, let us do so with the strength that God’s grace supplies, always giving Him the glory.

“But by God’s undeserved kindness I am what I am, and his undeserved kindness toward me did not prove to be in vain, but I labored more abundantly than all of them—yet not I, but the undeserved kindness of God that is with me.”
This is not just Paul’s story. It is the call for every believer—to be made new, to labor faithfully, and to never forget the source of it all: the grace of Jehovah.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).