I Corinthians Study I Corinthians 1:1-9 Introduction

As we approach this grand study of the book of I Corinthians written by Paul from Ephesus around A.D. 55-57, we pray earnestly that the Holy Spirit would be the true teacher, and that you would discover that Jesus Christ is indeed the supreme solution to correct the moral, social and ecclesiastical disorders prevalent in our local churches today.  Some of our churches have lost sight of the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  Christ’s Supremacy, the Lordship of Jesus, is truly the solution to the problems of our contemporary churches.  Knowing that Jesus Christ is the solution to the problems that beset our churches makes this study relevant and pertinent to us.

Paul begins this grand study in verse 1 by stressing the fact that he was a called Apostle by God.  He declared that he was an Apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God.  Paul was called by the will of God, for no adverse situations disturbed him from doing God’s will!  God has chosen us to salvation, and we should be determined to persevere in spite of the obstacles we may face in life!  It is so wonderful to proclaim to others that “I have been chosen by God before the foundation of the world, and that I have been commissioned to share the unsearchable riches of God’s grace to others!”

Verse 1 mentions Sosthenes, probably a rule of the synagogue (Acts 18:17) as one who is joining Paul in this greeting.  This letter is addressed to the church of God at Corinth, and to those “sanctified in Christ Jesus” (v. 2).  The term “sanctification” means to be set apart for God’s use.  As it relates to our position, all believers have been positionally sanctified, that is, set apart for God’s use!  There are other stages of sanctification such as practical and ultimate sanctification; however, as used in verse 2, the believers’ positional sanctification is in view.

As customary in verse 3, many of the greetings of Paul’s epistles begin with “grace” followed by the word “peace.”  It is great to know that we have received God’s peace because of the intervention of His grace in our lives!  Because we have been saved by God’s grace, we have peace with God, for Romans 5:1 says: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

With thanksgiving in verse 4, Paul expresses his thanksgiving to God for the tremendous spiritual blessings of the Corinthian believers.  As believers in Christ Jesus, we are truly blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

Paul went on to mention that the Corinthian believers were “enriched by Christ, in all utterance, and in all knowledge” (v. 5).  From verse 5, the Corinthian church was certainly a gifted church, enriched with speaking and knowledge gifts such as tongues, prophecy, discernment of spirits, and/or interpretation (I Corinthians 12:4-11).  These gifts were not to be abused but were given for the glory of God and for the edification of the body (church).  These gifts gave solid evidence of the effectiveness of the message of Christ among them (v. 6), and that the Corinthian believers had full assurance that they will be presented blameless in Christ’s presence when He returns (vv. 7-8).

The assurance that the Corinthian believers will be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ is because “God is faithful” (v. 9).  It is so wonderful to know and tell others that what God starts, He is able to complete, for Philippians 1:6 says: “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”  Amen and Amen!

May God Bless!