1 Corinthians 4:7-10

4:7 For who concedes you any superiority? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as though you did not? 4:8 Already you are satisfied! Already you are rich! You have become kings without us! I wish you had become kings so that we could reign with you! 4:9 For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to die, because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to people. 4:10 We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, we are dishonored!

Romans 11:12

11:12 Now if their transgression means riches for the world and their defeat means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full restoration ¹  bring?

Romans 11:2

11:2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew! Do you not know what the scripture says about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?

Colossians 1:11

1:11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might for the display of ²  all patience and steadfastness, joyfully

Ephesians 2:7

2:7 to demonstrate in the coming ages ³  the surpassing wealth of his grace in kindness toward ⁴  us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 3:8

3:8 To me – less than the least of all the saints ⁵  – this grace was given, ⁶  to proclaim to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ

¹ tn Or “full inclusion”; Grk “their fullness.”

² tn The expression “for the display of” is an attempt to convey in English the force of the Greek preposition εἰς (eis) in this context.

³ tn Or possibly “to the Aeons who are about to come.”

⁴ tn Or “upon.”

⁵ sn In Pauline writings saints means any true believer. Thus for Paul to view himself as less than the least of all the saints is to view himself as the most unworthy object of Christ’s redemption.

⁶ sn The parallel phrases to proclaim and to enlighten which follow indicate why God’s grace was manifested to Paul. Grace was not something just to be received, but to be shared with others (cf. Acts 13:47).