Paul, an Apostle by God's Will
The apostle Paul opens his letter to the Corinthians with a gentle yet firm assertion of his calling: “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God” (1 Corinthians 1:1). How quickly Paul reminds us that his authority is not self-appointed nor man-given, but divinely bestowed. Here is a man who once persecuted the Church, now called to shepherd it. Alongside him is Sosthenes, a former antagonist (see Acts 18:17), now a brother in Christ. Oh, the transforming power of grace! Never write anyone off. Never write yourself off. The hands that once carried stones to slay can become the hands that spread the gospel. In God’s economy, no one is beyond redemption, and no one is too broken to be used.
The Church of God in Corinth
“To the church of God which is at Corinth” (1 Corinthians 1:2)—Paul’s words brim with a fatherly tenderness. Despite their struggles, their failings, and their moral shortcomings, Paul still addresses them as the church of God. What a comfort to know that our standing with God is not predicated on our perfection but on our position in Christ! These believers, fraught with issues, are still “sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints” (1 Corinthians 1:2). How often do we look at a struggling church or a faltering believer and quickly write them off? Yet, Paul’s words remind us that as long as the foundation of faith is intact, as long as Christ is the cornerstone, the church remains His. The church is God’s—it is not Paul’s, Apollos’s, or Cephas’s. We are merely stewards; God is the sovereign Lord of His church.
And how Paul assures them! He speaks of the Lord Jesus Christ, who “will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:8). What a wondrous promise! Despite their weaknesses, despite their many faults, the Lord Himself will keep them blameless until the very end. This is a beautiful way to begin such a stern letter—with a reminder of their eternal security, of the unwavering faithfulness of Christ, before moving on to the difficult matters of correction.
A Church Sanctified in a Sinful City
Pause for a moment and think about Corinth—a city so notorious for its immorality that its very name became synonymous with debauchery. And yet, in this city of moral decay, God established a church. Paul describes them as “sanctified in Christ Jesus” (1 Corinthians 1:2). It is as though Paul is saying, “Look, here is a rose blooming amidst thorns, a pearl gleaming in the mire.” God had set them apart, made them holy, even in the midst of such corruption. How did He do it? Through faith in Christ Jesus. Sanctification here means being set apart for God, consecrated for His holy purposes. It is God’s power, not ours, that sanctifies. Even in the most sinful environments, God is able to preserve His elect, shielding them from corruption and making them His own.
Called to Be Saints Together
Paul expands this thought by including “all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:2). The call to sainthood is not confined to one location or one group—it is a call to all who name Jesus as Lord, wherever they may be. Yet, there is a depth here that warrants reflection. It is not enough to call Jesus “Christ” in recognition of His role as Savior; we must also call Him “Lord,” submitting to His authority in our lives. True sainthood involves both recognizing Christ’s finished work on the cross and yielding to His lordship. If our faith is only an appeal to Christ for temporal benefits, it falls short. True believers are those who have both accepted His salvation and surrendered to His sovereign rule.
Blessed with Gifts, Yet Divided
Paul commends the Corinthian church for the grace of God given to them, that they were “enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge” (1 Corinthians 1:5). They were a gifted church, rich in spiritual blessings. Yet, despite these blessings, Paul is grieved by their divisions. How telling that the very gifts which should have united them instead became the seeds of pride and division! Knowledge and eloquence, though valuable, are not sufficient. Indeed, they can become stumbling blocks when not tempered with love and humility.
Paul challenges them, asking, “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Corinthians 1:13). How these questions must have pierced their hearts! Their divisions were a betrayal of the unity that is in Christ. In our own lives, do we not face the same temptation? How easily do we allow our knowledge or our particular insights to foster a sense of superiority? It is good to test all things, to seek understanding, but we must be vigilant against the pride that whispers, “I am better, I am deeper.” Instead, let us remember Paul’s exhortation: we are all one in Christ, each member contributing to the growth of the body, united in our common purpose to glorify God.
Let’s pause here...
As we meditate on this chapter, let us be reminded of the unity and sanctity that should mark the Church of God. Our sanctification is not of ourselves but is wrought by God’s power through faith in Christ. And in this unity, let us strive to walk in humility, recognizing that all our gifts, all our knowledge, are from Him and for the edification of His body. May we, like Paul, always start with grace, assure with hope, and build up in love.
