Paul's Letter to the Corinthian Church 1 Corinthians 1:2

Paul the apostle began his letter to the church in Corinth by first introducing himself in the normal manner of letters written in his day, and then he shared concerning his calling to be an “apostle of Jesus Christ, through the will of God”. He also mentioned, “Sosthenes”, who was with Paul and considered “our brother”, and in chapter one and verse two of First Corinthians, Paul continued his introduction to his letter, “unto the church of God which is at Corinth” who were “sanctified” and “called” where we read:

Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

The verse begins, “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus,...” Paul began with the words, “Unto the church” which means “toward the gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place such as an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting” “of God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “which is at” which means “that was located within the city of” “Corinth” which means “satiated” and was “an ancient and famous city of Greece located on the Isthmus of Corinth and about forty miles (65 km) west of Athens”, “to them” or “to the people” “that are sanctified” which means “who are rendered or acknowledged to be venerable, hallow, separate and consecrated from profane things and dedicated to God” “in Christ” which means “the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God” “Jesus” whose name means “Jehovah is Salvation” and is “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate”. Paul's address was to the Christians who belonged to the “church in Corinth” who were “separated” unto the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The verse continues, “...called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:”. Paul added the word, “called” or “invited (by God in the proclamation of the Gospel) to obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom through Christ” “to be saints” which means “to be most holy, pure and blameless both religiously and ceremonially consecrated”, “with all” or “associated and companioned with each, every, any, the whole and everyone” “that in every place” which means “who in each, every, any and the whole inhabited cities, villages and districts” “call upon” or “appeal unto, summon, invoke and permit” “the name” which refers to “everything which the name covers including the thoughts or feelings aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing and remembering” “of Jesus” whose name means “Jehovah is Salvation” and is “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate” “Christ” or “the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God” “our Lord” which means “Paul and his companions' one to whom a person or thing belongs about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah”, “both theirs” which means “including the people in every place who call upon the name of Jesus Christ” “and ours” which refers to Paul and his companions. The Christians in Corinth to whom Paul wrote, as well as in “every place” where people were Christians, were “called” to be “pure, holy and blameless” both ceremonially and within their religious lives.

When we think through these words from Paul, we note the special significance he puts upon those to whom he writes. This letter was not addressed to just anyone, but was written to people within the church in Corinth and everywhere who were “separated” unto the gospel of Jesus Christ and “called to be saints”. We might consider that Paul was writing to the Corinthian church specifically, but also to all who are believers in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. We would do well to ask ourselves if we belong to “them that are sanctified” and “called to be saints” who “call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord”. If our answer is “yes”, let us study Paul's words with enthusiasm because they relate to us. If our answer is “no”, then perhaps today is the day we say, “Jesus, I am a sinner. I believe that you came to die for my sins, were raised on the third day after your death and now sit at the right hand of God in heaven. I receive you as my Savior, and I ask you to forgive my sins and be the Lord of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen”.

Next time Paul pronounces “grace and peace” upon the people within the Corinthian church, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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