This verse probably expresses in greater detail the same reason for thanksgiving that Paul mentions in verse 4, the grace of God which was given you. So one may translate the beginning of verse 5 as “that is, because.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch shows the connection between these two verses in the following way: “That shows itself in (the fact) that you have become enriched in everything….”

The verb you were enriched, as has already been explained in the introduction to this section, refers to the activity of God. So in him must mean “in Christ.” Good News Bible‘s “in union with Christ” is a clearer translation. In some languages the phrase you were enriched would refer to literal wealth or riches; but that is not the meaning here. It may be wise therefore to render this phrase as “you have received an abundance of all good things” or “God has given you an abundance of all good things.”

The same Greek word is repeated three times for emphasis. Revised Standard Version translates it in two different ways, twice as all and once as every for the sake of variety; New Revised Standard Version translates “in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind.” Good News Bible renders this word as “all” each time it appears in this verse. There is no difference in meaning, and each group of translators must decide whether repetition or variety is more effective in their own language.

Speech: (literally “word” in the Greek) and knowledge, like “wisdom” in verse 17, are important words in 1 Corinthians. It is likely that people in Corinth were using these and other terms to preach a false gospel. So in this verse, and in many other passages, Paul tries to give these words a true Christian meaning. Translators need to decide in each context in 1 Corinthians whether Paul is using the words (a) in a general, neutral sense, (b) to refer to the false teaching, for example, “what you call wisdom,” or (c) in a specifically Christian sense. It will then be easier to decide how, if necessary, to use different words in one’s own language to give these differences of meaning. In this verse Paul probably uses these terms in a general sense.

The Greek word for speech also means “word” and “reason.” It occurs in 1.17 (with “wisdom”); 1.18; 2.1, 4, 13; 4.19, 20; 12.8; 14.9, 19 (twice), 36; 15.2, 54. In this verse all speech probably means “all kinds of Christian speaking” or “all kinds of Christian messages.” Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente renders it as “preaching.” In 1 Corinthians this term very rarely refers to a single word. More commonly it means a message, whether revealed directly by God (14.36) or spoken through human beings.

The Greek word for knowledge here is used also in 8.1, 7, 10, 11; 12.8; 13.2, 8; 14.6. Translators should avoid words that suggest information or technical ability when they translate the word knowledge. In this verse all knowledge suggests “knowledge about all spiritual realities.”

An alternative translation model for this verse is:
• For because you live in a close relationship with Jesus Christ, God has given you many abilities. These include the ability to preach his message, and knowledge about all things to do with his Spirit.

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .