I Corinthians 1
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Paul, called to be an apostle - Bishop Pearce contends that a comma should be placed after κλητος, called, which should not be joined to αποστολος, apostle: the first signifies being called to, the other sent from. He reads it, therefore, Paul the called; the apostle of Jesus Christ. The word κλητος, called, may be here used, as in some other places, for constituted. For this, and the meaning of the word apostle, see the note on Rom 1:1. As the apostle had many irregularities to reprehend in the Corinthian Church, it was necessary that he should be explicit in stating his authority. He was called - invited to the Gospel feast; had partaken of it, and, by the grace he received, was qualified to proclaim salvation to others: Jesus Christ therefore made him an apostle, that is, gave him a Divine commission to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. Through the will of God - By a particular appointment from God alone; for, being an extraordinary messenger, he derived no part of his authority from man. Sosthenes our brother - Probably the same person mentioned Act 18:17 (note).
Open source ↗THE INSCRIPTION; THANKSGIVING FOR THE SPIRITUAL STATE OF THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH; REPROOF OF PARTY DIVISIONS: HIS OWN METHOD OF PREACHING ONLY CHRIST. (1Co. 1:1-31) called to be--Found in some, not in others, of the oldest manuscripts Possibly inserted from Rom 1:1; but as likely to be genuine. Translate, literally, "a called apostle" [CONYBEARE and HOWSON]. through the will of God--not because of my own merit. Thus Paul's call as "an apostle by the will of God," while constituting the ground of the authority he claims in the Corinthian Church (compare Gal 1:1), is a reason for humility on his own part (Co1 15:8, Co1 15:10) [BENGEL]. In assuming the ministerial office a man should see he does so not of his own impulse, but by the will of God (Jer 23:21); Paul if left to his own will would never have been an apostle (Rom 9:16). Sosthenes--See my Introduction. Associated by Paul with himself in the inscription, either in modesty, Sosthenes being his inferior [CHRYSOSTOM], or in order that the name of a "brother" of note in Corinth (Act 18:17) might give weight to his Epistle and might show, in opposition to his detractors that he was supported by leading brethren. Gallio had driven the Jews who accused Paul from the judgment-seat. The Greek mob, who disliked Jews, took the opportunity then of beating Sosthenes the ruler of the Jewish synagogue, while Gallio looked on and refused to interfere, being secretly pleased that the mob should second his own contempt for the Jews. Paul probably at this time had showed sympathy for an adversary in distress, which issued in the conversion of the latter. So Crispus also, the previous chief ruler of the synagogue had been converted. Saul the persecutor turned into Paul the apostle, and Sosthenes the leader in persecution against that ap…
Open source ↗Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ,.... The author, or rather the writer of the following epistle; for the Holy Ghost was the author and dictator of it, and which was never doubted: he is described by his, name Paul, though his Jewish name was Saul; and very probably he being a Jew by birth, and yet born in a Roman city, might have two names, the one Jewish, the other Gentile; and by the one he went when among the Jews, and by the other when concerned with the Gentiles: and also by his office, "an apostle of Jesus Christ"; immediately called, and sent forth by him; had the Gospel from him by immediate revelation, and a commission to preach it; and which high office was confirmed by signs and wonders, and mighty deeds; by the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost conferred on him, and on others under his ministry; and by the eminent success which attended the preaching of the Gospel by him. This his character he the rather mentions, because some in this church, through the insinuations of the false apostles, demurred upon it; whereas this was not a mere name given him by men, and by which he was only commonly called by them, but was an office he was "called" to by Christ; he did not rush into it, or assume it of himself, but had a divine warrant for it; for he was invested with it, through the will of God: both by the secret will and purpose of God, by which he was a chosen vessel, to bear the name of Christ among the Gentiles, Act 9:15; and by the revealed will of God, signified by the Spirit of God, who said, "separate me Saul and Barnabas, for the work whereunto I have called them", Act 13:2, and shows, that it was not owing to any worth or merit in him, but purely to the free grace and sovereign will and pleasure of God, that he was made an apostle of Chris…
Open source ↗We have here the apostle's preface to his whole epistle, in which we may take notice, I. Of the inscription, in which, according to the custom of writing letters then, the name of the person by whom it was written and the persons to whom it was written are both inserted. 1. It is an epistle from Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles, to the church of Corinth, which he himself had planted, though there were some among them that now questioned his apostleship (Co1 9:1, Co1 9:2), and vilified his person and ministry, Co2 10:10. The most faithful and useful ministers are not secure from this contempt. He begins with challenging this character: Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, through the will of God. He had not taken this honour to himself, but had a divine commission for it. It was proper at any time, but necessary at this time, to assert his character, and magnify his office, when false teachers made a merit of running him down, and their giddy and deluded followers were so apt to set them up in competition with him. It was not pride in Paul, but faithfulness to his trust, in this juncture, to maintain his apostolical character and authority. And, to make this more fully appear, he joins Sosthenes with him in writing, who was a minister of a lower rank. Paul, and Sosthenes his brother, not a fellow-apostle, but a fellow-minister, once a ruler of the Jewish synagogue, afterwards a convert to Christianity, a Corinthian by birth, as is most probable, and dear to this people, for which reason Paul, to ingratiate himself with them, joins them with himself in his first salutations. There is no reason to suppose he was made a partaker of the apostle's inspiration, for which reasons he speaks, through the rest of the epistle, in his own name, and in the singular number.…
Open source ↗1:1-3 Paul commonly begins his letters with a few words about himself, followed by greetings and an invocation of grace and peace. In this, he follows the normal pattern of ancient Greek letters but expands it with Christian meaning. 1:1 An apostle of Christ Jesus was a missionary evangelist commissioned by Christ himself. • Sosthenes, Paul’s co-worker, might be the same person as in Acts 18:17.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Παῦλος (Paûlos, G3972) — (little; but remotely from a derivative of G3973 (παύω), meaning the same); Paulus, the… κλητός (klētós, G2822) — invited, i.e. appointed, or (specially), a saint ἀπόστολος (apóstolos, G652) — a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) θέλημα (thélēma, G2307) — a determination (properly, the thing), i.e. (actively) choice (specially, purpose,… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… Σωσθένης (Sōsthénēs, G4988) — of safe strength; Sosthenes, a Christian ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α))
Open source ↗ἐκκλησία (ekklēsía, G1577) — a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) ὤν (ṓn, G5607) — being ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. Κόρινθος (Kórinthos, G2882) — Corinthus, a city of Greece ἁγιάζω (hagiázō, G37) — to make holy, i.e. (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites κλητός (klētós, G2822) — invited, i.e. appointed, or (specially), a saint ἅγιος (hágios, G40) — sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated) σύν (sýn, G4862) — with or together (but much closer than G3326 (μετά) or G3844 (παρά)), i.e. by… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole τόπος (tópos, G5117) — a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas G5561 (χώρα) is a large but…
Open source ↗χάρις (cháris, G5485) — graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative… ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… εἰρήνη (eirḗnē, G1515) — peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity ἀπό (apó, G575) — "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation;… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ἡμῶν (hēmōn, G2257) — of (or from) us πατήρ (patḗr, G3962) — a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote) κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
Open source ↗εὐχαριστέω (eucharistéō, G2168) — to be grateful, i.e. (actively) to express gratitude (towards); specially, to say grace… μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very πάντοτε (pántote, G3842) — every when, i.e. at all times περί (perí, G4012) — properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various… ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… χάρις (cháris, G5485) — graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative… ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
Open source ↗ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole πλουτίζω (ploutízō, G4148) — to make wealthy (figuratively) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… γνῶσις (gnōsis, G1108) — knowing (the act), i.e. (by implication) knowledge
Open source ↗καθώς (kathṓs, G2531) — just (or inasmuch) as, that μαρτύριον (martýrion, G3142) — something evidential, i.e. (genitive case) evidence given or (specially), the Decalogue… Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus βεβαιόω (bebaióō, G950) — to stabilitate (figuratively) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you
Open source ↗ὥστε (hṓste, G5620) — so too, i.e. thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow) ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) ὑστερέω (hysteréō, G5302) — to be later, i.e. (by implication) to be inferior; generally, to fall short (be deficient) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… μηδείς (mēdeís, G3367) — not even one (man, woman, thing) χάρισμα (chárisma, G5486) — a (divine) gratuity, i.e. deliverance (from danger or passion); (specially), a… ἀπεκδέχομαι (apekdéchomai, G553) — to expect fully ἀποκάλυψις (apokálypsis, G602) — disclosure ἡμῶν (hēmōn, G2257) — of (or from) us κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
Open source ↗ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that βεβαιόω (bebaióō, G950) — to stabilitate (figuratively) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) ἕως (héōs, G2193) — a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place) τέλος (télos, G5056) — properly, the point aimed at as a limit, i.e. (by implication) the conclusion of an act… ἀνέγκλητος (anénklētos, G410) — unaccused, i.e. (by implication) irreproachable ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἡμέρα (hēméra, G2250) — day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but… ἡμῶν (hēmōn, G2257) — of (or from) us κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
Open source ↗θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very πιστός (pistós, G4103) — objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that καλέω (kaléō, G2564) — to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise) εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… κοινωνία (koinōnía, G2842) — partnership, i.e. (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary)… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… υἱός (huiós, G5207) — a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively,… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus ἡμῶν (hēmōn, G2257) — of (or from) us κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. παρακαλέω (parakaléō, G3870) — to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation) ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) ὄνομα (ónoma, G3686) — a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character) ἡμῶν (hēmōn, G2257) — of (or from) us κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the…
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… δηλόω (dēlóō, G1213) — to make plain (by words) μοί (moí, G3427) — to me περί (perí, G4012) — properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various… ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) ὑπό (hypó, G5259) — under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or… ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) Χλόη (Chlóē, G5514) — "green"; Chloë, a Christian female ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because εἰσί (eisí, G1526) — they are ἔρις (éris, G2054) — a quarrel, i.e. (by implication) wrangling ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. τοῦτο (toûto, G5124) — that thing λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because ἕκαστος (hékastos, G1538) — each or every ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you ἐγώ (egṓ, G1473) μέν (mén, G3303) — properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a… εἰμί (eimí, G1510) — I exist (used only when emphatic) Παῦλος (Paûlos, G3972) — (little; but remotely from a derivative of G3973 (παύω), meaning the same); Paulus, the… Ἀπολλῶς (Apollōs, G625) — Apollos, an Israelite Κηφᾶς (Kēphâs, G2786) — the Rock; Cephas (i.e. Kepha), a surname of Peter Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
Open source ↗μερίζω (merízō, G3307) — to part, i.e. (literally) to apportion, bestow, share, or (figuratively) to disunite,… Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… σταυρόω (stauróō, G4717) — to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish (subdue) passion or selfishness Παῦλος (Paûlos, G3972) — (little; but remotely from a derivative of G3973 (παύω), meaning the same); Paulus, the… ὑπέρ (hypér, G5228) — "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the… ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you ἤ (ḗ, G2228) — disjunctive, or; comparative, than βαπτίζω (baptízō, G907) — to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the New Testament)… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ὄνομα (ónoma, G3686) — a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
Open source ↗εὐχαριστέω (eucharistéō, G2168) — to be grateful, i.e. (actively) to express gratitude (towards); specially, to say grace… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because βαπτίζω (baptízō, G907) — to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the New Testament)… οὐδείς (oudeís, G3762) — not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you εἰ μή (ei mḗ, G1508) — if not Κρίσπος (Kríspos, G2921) — "crisp"; Crispus, a Corinthian καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… Γάϊος (Gáïos, G1050) — Gaius (i.e. Caius), a Christian
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, and set apart for the gospel of God—
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:
At this, the crowd seized Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the judgment seat. But none of this was of concern to Gallio.
Then He said to me, ‘Go! I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
For this reason I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a faithful and true teacher of the Gentiles. I am telling the truth; I am not lying about anything.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus,
Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead—
You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.