1 Corinthians 1:2
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)
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Paul doesn't just address the official church leaders in Corinth, but everyone set apart in Christ, emphasizing their shared calling and their connection to all believers everywhere. This humble beginning highlights that every single follower, no matter where they are, is united in Christ and part of God's wider family. It’s a powerful reminder that your personal faith isn't isolated but deeply woven into a global tapestry of God's people.
Paul is writing to a church in Corinth that's struggling with divisions and pride, despite being a community deeply loved by God. This opening verse immediately grounds the letter by reminding them of their shared identity in Christ and their common calling, a vital counterpoint to the factionalism that's tearing them apart. He's setting the stage for a powerful correction, emphasizing that their unity in Christ should far outweigh any other distinctions they perceive among themselves.
Paul opens his letter by calling the Corinthian believers 'sanctified in Christ Jesus.' What does it mean to be set apart like this, and how does it happen?
Set Apart for God
The word 'sanctified' points to being made holy, set apart from the ordinary world for a special purpose. This isn't something we achieve on our own; Paul clearly states it's in Christ Jesus.
This foundational truth reminds us that our status before God is based on Christ's work, not our own performance.
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Paul doesn't just address individuals; he speaks to a community. What does it mean to be 'saints' not just individually, but as a collective group?
The Church as a Holy Community
The term 'saints' (from the same root as 'sanctified') in the New Testament doesn't typically refer to exceptionally pious individuals, but to all believers who have been set apart by God through Christ.
This concept challenges any idea of faith being a private, isolated affair. We are called to live out our holy identity as part of a visible, corporate body.
The verse expands the scope beyond Corinth to 'all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.' What does this universal call signify?
The Universal Reach of Faith
Paul deliberately broadens the address. The message of Christ isn't confined to one city or group; it's for everyone, everywhere, who actively worships and invokes Jesus.
This shows that the Christian faith transcends geographical and cultural boundaries. Wherever people are genuinely turning to Jesus in faith and worship, they are part of this one, unified body.
Understand the original words
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.
Writing to a church in a bustling, cosmopolitan port city known for its moral laxity and philosophical debates, Paul immediately anchors their identity not in their location or achievements, but in their shared calling and sanctification through Christ, a powerful reminder for any community facing cultural pressures.
c. AD 44
Claudius Expels Jews from Rome
Roman Emperor Claudius ordered the expulsion of Jews from Rome, likely due to disturbances related to 'Chrestus'. This event may have dispersed Jewish communities, potentially influencing the migration of Aquila and Priscilla to Corinth.
c. AD 49-50
Paul's First Missionary Journey to Corinth
The Apostle Paul arrived in Corinth during his second missionary journey. He stayed for about 18 months, establishing the church with the help of Aquila and Priscilla, and confronting the vibrant, polytheistic culture of the city.
c. AD 50
Paul Establishes the Corinthian Church
Paul founds the church in Corinth, a significant hub for trade and culture. He ministered to both Jews and Gentiles, facing opposition but seeing a growing community form.
c. AD 53-55— this verse
Paul Writes 1 Corinthians from Ephesus
The Apostle Paul penned this letter to the church in Corinth from Ephesus, the capital of the Roman province of Asia Minor. He had heard reports of disunity, moral issues, and theological disputes within the Corinthian community.
c. AD 56
Paul's Visit to Corinth
Following the writing of 1 Corinthians, Paul made a painful visit to Corinth. This visit, described as 'sorrowful' in 2 Corinthians, likely addressed the issues raised in his letter and the church's response.
c. AD 57
Paul Writes 2 Corinthians
Paul wrote his second letter to the Corinthians, likely from Macedonia. This letter reflects a reconciliation with the church after the difficult visit and addresses lingering issues and his apostolic authority.
This passage directly names the city of Corinth, where Paul is writing to the church planted there, providing the historical context for this letter.
Romans 1:7Similar to 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses the believers in Rome as 'called to be saints,' highlighting the shared identity and calling of Christians across different locations.
1 Peter 1:1-2Peter also speaks to 'elect exiles... who are scattered abroad,' emphasizing that believers, though in diverse places, are 'sanctified by the Spirit' and called to holiness.
Ephesians 1:3-4This passage echoes the idea of being chosen and set apart in Christ before the foundation of the world, reinforcing the concept of being 'sanctified in Christ Jesus' as foundational to God's plan.
Paul doesn't just address the official church leaders in Corinth, but everyone set apart in Christ, emphasizing their shared calling and their connection to all believers everywhere. This humble beginning highlights that every single follower, no matter where they are, is united in Christ and part of God's wider family. It’s a powerful reminder that your personal faith isn't isolated but deeply woven into a global tapestry of God's people.
Paul is writing to a church in Corinth that's struggling with divisions and pride, despite being a community deeply loved by God. This opening verse immediately grounds the letter by reminding them of their shared identity in Christ and their common calling, a vital counterpoint to the factionalism that's tearing them apart. He's setting the stage for a powerful correction, emphasizing that their unity in Christ should far outweigh any other distinctions they perceive among themselves.
Paul is writing to a church in Corinth that's struggling with divisions and pride, despite being a community deeply loved by God. This opening verse immediately grounds the letter by reminding them of their shared identity in Christ and their common calling, a vital counterpoint to the factionalism that's tearing them apart. He's setting the stage for a powerful correction, emphasizing that their unity in Christ should far outweigh any other distinctions they perceive among themselves.
"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:" — Paul doesn't just address the official church leaders in Corinth, but everyone set apart in Christ, emphasizing their shared calling and their connection to all believers everywhere. This humble…
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