1 Corinthians 1:1-2
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Paul doesn't just start with his credentials; he opens by grounding his apostleship entirely in God's sovereign choice, reminding us that all ministry flows from divine calling, not personal ambition. Even the mention of Sosthenes, his "brother," subtly introduces a note of partnership and unity right from the beginning.
Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes, To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is addressing the church in Corinth, a vibrant but deeply flawed community facing serious divisions and moral issues. He's writing this letter to confront these problems head-on, calling them back to unity in Christ and the core of the gospel message. This opening sets the stage for a robust discussion about wisdom, power, and the nature of the church, all while establishing his apostolic authority.
Ever feel like you're just going through the motions? Paul starts his letter by grounding his entire mission in something far bigger than himself.
Divine Appointment
Paul doesn't introduce himself based on his accomplishments or popularity. He immediately declares his authority comes from a higher source: 'called by the will of God.' This wasn't Paul's idea or a position he sought out; it was God's sovereign choice and divine appointment.
Apostolic Authority
This 'calling' made him an apostle – someone specifically sent with authority to represent Christ. It's the foundational truth upon which he builds his arguments and teachings throughout this letter to the Corinthians. His message carries weight because it's not just Paul speaking, but God through Paul.
Paul doesn't stand alone. He immediately includes another leader, Sosthenes. What does this tell us about ministry and community?
Beyond Lone Eagles
Paul doesn't present himself as a solitary, untouchable figure. He includes 'our brother Sosthenes' right at the beginning. This signals that ministry and mission are communal efforts, not solo performances. Even the most prominent apostles recognized the value of partnership and brotherhood.
A Shared Identity
Calling Sosthenes 'our brother' emphasizes a shared identity in Christ that transcends hierarchy or individual roles. It’s a reminder that everyone who is 'in Christ' belongs to the same family, working together for the same King. This sets a tone of unity and shared purpose for the entire letter.
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Understand the original words
apostolos · Greek Noun
A commissioned representative or delegate, specifically one sent by Jesus Christ with His authority to preach the gospel and establish the church. An apostle held a unique foundational role in the early church, bearing witness to the resurrected Christ.
ekklesia · Greek Noun
A gathering or assembly of believers in Christ. It refers to the people of God, the body of Christ, rather than a physical building or institution.
hagiazō · Greek Verb (participle)
The act of being set apart, consecrated, or made holy for God's exclusive use and service. It implies both a positional status through Christ and a progressive transformation in holiness.
hagios · Greek Noun
Holy ones; people who have been set apart for God. In the New Testament, this refers to all believers in Christ, emphasizing their set-apart status and calling to live lives consistent with their relationship to God.
epikaleomai · Greek Verb
To invoke or worship someone as supreme authority. Calling upon the name of the Lord implies recognizing His deity, trusting in His salvation, and living in subjection to His lordship.
c. AD 33
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
The central events of Christianity occurred, leading to the formation of the early Jesus movement.
c. AD 34-36
Paul's Conversion
Saul of Tarsus, a persecutor of Christians, had a dramatic encounter with the risen Christ and became a follower, later known as Paul.
c. AD 40s-50s
Paul's Missionary Journeys
Paul traveled extensively throughout the Roman Empire, establishing churches in major cities, including Corinth.
c. AD 50-52— this verse
Founding of the Corinthian Church
Paul spent about 18 months in Corinth, preaching the gospel and forming a vibrant, diverse Christian community.
c. AD 52
Paul Departs Corinth
Paul left Corinth, but maintained contact with the church through letters and visits, addressing the issues that arose within the community.
c. AD 53-55
Sosthenes in Corinth
Sosthenes, likely a former leader in the Corinthian synagogue or a prominent civic figure, was associated with the church in Corinth. He may have been the Sosthenes mentioned in Acts who was beaten outside the proconsul's court.
This verse immediately follows the introduction and highlights the crucial need for unity within the Corinthian church, a theme directly relevant to Paul's authoritative calling as an apostle.
Galatians 1:1Paul also begins his letter to the Galatians by asserting his apostleship, emphasizing that it comes 'not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father.' This reinforces the divine source of his authority mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:1.
Romans 1:1Similar to 1 Corinthians, Paul introduces himself as a 'servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.' This consistent opening theme underscores the nature and purpose of his divine calling.
Acts 9:15Ananias directly tells Saul (Paul) that God has chosen him to carry His name before the Gentiles, kings, and the people of Israel, directly paralleling the 'called by the will of God' aspect of his apostleship.
Paul doesn't just start with his credentials; he opens by grounding his apostleship entirely in God's sovereign choice, reminding us that all ministry flows from divine calling, not personal ambition. Even the mention of Sosthenes, his "brother," subtly introduces a note of partnership and unity right from the beginning.
Paul is addressing the church in Corinth, a vibrant but deeply flawed community facing serious divisions and moral issues. He's writing this letter to confront these problems head-on, calling them back to unity in Christ and the core of the gospel message. This opening sets the stage for a robust discussion about wisdom, power, and the nature of the church, all while establishing his apostolic authority.
Paul is addressing the church in Corinth, a vibrant but deeply flawed community facing serious divisions and moral issues. He's writing this letter to confront these problems head-on, calling them back to unity in Christ and the core of the gospel message. This opening sets the stage for a robust discussion about wisdom, power, and the nature of the church, all while establishing his apostolic authority.
"Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes, To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call…" — Paul doesn't just start with his credentials; he opens by grounding his apostleship entirely in God's sovereign choice, reminding us that all ministry flows from divine calling, not personal ambiti…
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Last reviewed October 2026
