I Corinthians 1:1-9 Paul’s greeting to the saints in Corinth

I Corinthians 1:1-9

Paul’s greeting to the saints in Corinth

Verse 1-2: Paul firstly establishes his credentials as an apostle (sent one) of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus making his epistle authoritative as though it was written by Jesus Christ personally. Paul is writing to the church of God in Corinth. He acknowledges they have been sanctified by Jesus Christ and set apart from sin. (Ephesians 4:1, 1 Peter 2:9) He calls them saints because everyone who is in Christ Jesus is a saint. (Ephesians 1:1) They are set apart from sin unto God. Anyone who confesses the name of Jesus Christ as lord is considered a saint according to the Bible.

Verse 3 Paul greets the Corinthian church with grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace is unmerited favour that God the Father bestows upon those who demonstrate saving faith in the lord Jesus Christ. Peace with God is also a by-product of saving faith in Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:8, 9, Romans 5:1, John 14:21)

Verse 4 Paul acknowledges that God lavished grace upon the church in Corinth; saving them from their sins and baptising them in the Holy Spirit. (Mathew 3:11, Acts 1:5). This act of unmerited mercy on behalf of God the Father is marvelous, irrevocable, and un-repayable. Paul acknowledges that grace in which the church in Corinth stands and thanks God for them.

Verse 5-6 The church in Corinth was complete in Christ and not lacking in spiritual giftedness. They possessed both speaking gifts for spiritual transference as well as gifts of knowledge for accurately presenting truth without error. (Ephesians 1:3, 2 Peter 1:3). Their genuine giftedness stemmed from the fact that they believed in the true gospel message and thus were conferred grace from God. (1 Corinthians 15:1-5)

Verse 7-8 Not only did the Corinthian church possess giftedness in knowledge and speaking; which was primarily used for evangelism; but they were also equipped with every other gift for the building of the church (1 Corinthians Ch. 12-14) The apostle Paul was also looking to future glory that would happen to the Corinthian church at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:52)

Verse 9 God is completely sovereign in his election (Romans 8:30) therefore the Corinthian’s salvation was considered complete from God the Father’s perspective. God would prove faithful to provide the grace necessary to bring about their eventual glorification. (Ephesians 5:26-27)