Paul
Paul, originally named Saul, was a Pharisee and a zealous persecutor of Christians before his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19). His transformation from a persecutor to a leading apostle highlights the power of God's grace and calling. Paul is credited with writing many of the New Testament epistles, which have been foundational for Christian doctrine and practice.

called to be an apostle
The term "apostle" means "one who is sent" and refers to those who were specifically chosen by Christ to spread the Gospel. Paul's apostleship was unique because he was not one of the original twelve disciples. His calling was direct from Jesus Christ, as described in Galatians 1:1, emphasizing the divine authority and legitimacy of his mission.

of Christ Jesus
Paul's apostleship is rooted in his relationship with Christ Jesus, underscoring the centrality of Christ in his life and ministry. This phrase affirms that his authority and message are not self-derived but are given by Christ Himself. It reflects the early Christian confession of Jesus as the Messiah and Lord.

by the will of God
Paul's calling as an apostle was not by human decision or merit but by God's sovereign will. This emphasizes the divine initiative in salvation and ministry, aligning with passages like Ephesians 1:11, which speaks of God's purpose and will. It reassures believers of God's control and purpose in their lives.

and our brother Sosthenes
Sosthenes is mentioned as a co-sender of the letter, indicating his importance in the early church. He may be the same Sosthenes mentioned in Acts 18:17, who was a leader of the synagogue in Corinth and possibly converted to Christianity. His inclusion highlights the communal and collaborative nature of early Christian ministry.

1. Paul
Originally named Saul, Paul was a Pharisee and a persecutor of Christians before his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus. He became one of the most influential apostles, spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles and authoring many New Testament letters.

2. Apostle
The term "apostle" comes from the Greek word "apostolos," meaning "one who is sent out." Paul emphasizes his role as an apostle to assert his authority and divine calling to the Corinthian church.

3. Christ Jesus
The central figure of Christianity, Jesus is the Messiah ("Christ" in Greek) and the Son of God. Paul's apostleship is directly linked to Jesus, underscoring the divine authority behind his mission.

4. The Will of God
This phrase highlights that Paul's apostleship is not self-appointed but is ordained by God's sovereign plan. It emphasizes divine purpose and calling.

5. Sosthenes
Likely the same Sosthenes mentioned in Acts 18:17, who was a leader of the synagogue in Corinth. His mention here as "our brother" suggests he became a believer and co-laborer with Paul.Divine Calling
Recognize that God calls individuals to specific roles and purposes. Like Paul, our callings are not self-appointed but are part of God's sovereign plan.

Authority in Ministry
Understand the importance of divine authority in ministry. Paul’s apostleship was validated by God, reminding us to seek God’s approval above human recognition.

Unity in the Body
Sosthenes' mention as "our brother" highlights the unity and fellowship among believers, regardless of past differences or backgrounds.

Purposeful Living
Reflect on how God’s will directs our lives. Just as Paul was called by God’s will, we should seek to align our lives with His purposes.(1) Paul, called to be an apostle.--Better, a called Apostle of Jesus Christ. His apostolic authority, which was questioned by some in Corinth, is thus set out at the commencement of the Epistle.

And Sosthenes our brother.--Sosthenes the brother, probably the Sosthenes (see Note on 1Corinthians 1:16) the chief ruler of the synagogue mentioned in Acts 18:17, one of the brethren well known to the Corinthians. From his name being thus joined with that of the Apostle, we may conjecture that he was his amanuensis in writing this Epistle, the salutation only (1Corinthians 16:21) having been written by St. Paul's hand.

Verse 1. - Paul. After the beginning of the first missionary journey (A.D. 45) he seems to have finally abandoned his Hebrew name of Saul. Called. The word "called" is absent from A, D, E, and other manuscripts, but may have been omitted as superfluous. It occurs in the greeting of Romans 1:1, but not in any other Epistle. The words might also be rendered "a called or chosen apostle." To be an apostle. He uses this title in every letter except the private one to Philemon, the peculiarly friendly and informal one to the Philippians, and the two to the Thessalonians, which were written before the Judaizers had challenged his claim to this title in its more special sense. The Epistle to the Romans is the first in which he calls himself "a slave of Jesus Christ" (comp. Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:1; James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude 1). It was necessary for him to assert his right to the apostolate in the highest sense of the word, as one who had received from Christ himself an authority equal to that of the twelve (see 1 Corinthians 9:1-5; 1 Corinthians 15:9; 2 Corinthians 11:5; 2 Corinthians 12:11, 12; Galatians 1:1-19, etc.). Of Jesus Christ. In the Gospels the word "Christ" is all but invariably "the Christ," i.e. the Anointed, the Messiah. It is the designation of the office of Jesus as the promised Deliverer. We trace in the New Testament the gradual transition of the word from a title into a proper name. In the two names together our Lord is represented as "the Saviour," and the anointed Prophet, Priest, and King, first of the chosen people and then of all mankind. Through the will of God (comp. 2 Corinthians 1 Ephesians Colossians 2 Timothy 1:1). This special call to the apostleship is emphatically expanded in Galatians 1:1. The vindication of the Divine and independent claim was essential to St. Paul's work. It was not due to any personal considerations, but to the necessity of proving that no human authority could be quoted to overthrow the gospel which was peculiarly "his gospel" (see Galatians 1:11; Ephesians 3:8), of which one main feature was the freedom of the Gentiles from the yoke of Judaic bondage. And Soathenes. The association of one or more brethren with himself in the greeting of his letters is peculiar to St. Paul. Silas and Timothy are associated with him in 1 and 2 Thessalonians; and Timothy, though so much his junior, in 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon; doubtless he would have been associated with St. Paul in this Epistle had he not been absent (1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 16:10). The practice arose partly from St. Paul's exquisite courtesy and consideration towards his companions, partly from his shrinking from mere personal prominence. It is owing to the same reasons that in the earlier Epistles he constantly uses "we" for "I," and sometimes when he can only be speaking of himself (1 Thessalonians 2:18). But even in the Epistles to the Thessalonians he sometimes relapses from "we" into "I" (2 Thessalonians 2:5). Our brother; literally, the brother; i.e. one of "the brethren" (comp. 2 Corinthians 1:1). Of Sosthenes nothing whatever is known. He may possibly be the amanuensis whom St. Paul employed for this letter. Later tradition, which in such matters is perfectly valueless, spoke of him as" one of the seventy disciples, and Bishop of Colophon" (Eusebius, 'Hist. Eccl.,' 1:12). There is a Jewish Sosthenes, a ruler of the synagogue, in Acts 18:17; but it is only a vague conjecture that he may have been subsequently converted, and may have joined St. Paul at Ephesus. It is obvious that the persons named in the greetings of the Epistles were not in any way supposed to be responsible for their contents, lot St. Paul begins with "I" in ver. 4. Brother. At this time there was no recognized title for Christians. In the Acts they are vaguely spoken of as "those of this way." Among themselves they were known as "the saints," "the faithful," "the elect." The name "Christians" was originally a nickname devised by the Antiochenes. In the New Testament it only occurs as a designation used by enemies (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Paul,
Παῦλος (Paulos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3972: Paul, Paulus. Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle.

called [to be]
κλητὸς (klētos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2822: From the same as klesis; invited, i.e. Appointed, or, a saint.

an apostle
ἀπόστολος (apostolos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 652: From apostello; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ.

of Christ
Χριστοῦ (Christou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

by
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

[the] will
θελήματος (thelēmatos)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 2307: An act of will, will; plur: wishes, desires. From the prolonged form of ethelo; a determination, i.e. choice or inclination.

of God,
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[our]
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

brother
ἀδελφὸς (adelphos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 80: A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.

Sosthenes,
Σωσθένης (Sōsthenēs)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4988: From the base of sozo and that of sthenoo; of safe strength; Sosthenes, a Christian.


1 Corinthians 1:1 NIV
1 Corinthians 1:1 NLT
1 Corinthians 1:1 ESV
1 Corinthians 1:1 NASB
1 Corinthians 1:1 KJV

1 Corinthians 1:1 BibleApps.com
1 Corinthians 1:1 Biblia Paralela
1 Corinthians 1:1 Chinese Bible
1 Corinthians 1:1 French Bible
1 Corinthians 1:1 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 1:1 Paul called to be an apostle (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)