1Paul, a called apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Sosthenes the brother, [1:2] to the assembly of God, the one being in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called holy ones, together with all those calling on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place — both theirs and ours: [1:3] Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1CO 1:1-3
Greetings from Paul and Sosthenes
In the world it was spoken into
In the Roman world, letters often began with a formal greeting that established the sender’s authority and the recipients’ identity. Paul’s opening in 1 Corinthians aligns with this convention but infuses it with theological significance. By identifying himself as a 'called apostle of Christ Jesus,' Paul emphasizes his divine commissioning and role as an authorized envoy , a term that carried weight in both Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts. The recipients, the 'church of God in Corinth,' are described as an , a term evoking civic assemblies but here redefined as a community 'sanctified' and set apart for God’s purposes. This framing would resonate with Corinth’s diverse audience, including Jews familiar with covenantal language and Gentiles accustomed to civic assemblies. The greeting 'grace and peace' blends Greek and Jewish (שָׁלוֹם) cultural expectations, signaling a new covenant reality rooted in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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How other translations render this
1CO 1:1
- KJV
- Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
- BSB
- Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,
- Koinōnos
- Paul, a called apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Sosthenes the brother,
1CO 1:2
- KJV
- Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
- BSB
- To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:
- Koinōnos
- to the assembly of God, the one being in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called holy ones, together with all those calling on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place — both theirs and ours:
1CO 1:3
- KJV
- Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
- BSB
- Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Koinōnos
- Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
1CO 1:1
- a called:The word translated 'called' here implies a divine summons or invitation, indicating that Paul's role as an apostle was not self-appointed but divinely initiated.
- apostle:The term translated 'apostle' originally referred to an envoy or messenger sent with specific authority and a mission, often with the full backing of the sender.
1CO 1:2
- church:The word translated 'church' originally referred to a public assembly of citizens called out for a specific purpose, not necessarily a religious gathering or a building.
- holy,:The word translated 'holy' carried the sense of being set apart for God's exclusive use and purpose, distinct from the common or profane.