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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

We have here the apostle's preface to his whole epistle, in which we may take notice, I. Of the inscription, in which, according to the custom of writing letters then, the name of the person by whom it was written and the persons to whom it was written are both inserted. 1. It is an epistle from Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles, to the church of Corinth, which he himself had planted, though there were some among them that now questioned his apostleship (1 Cor. 9:1, 2), and vilified his person... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:1-3

1:1-3 Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, and Sosthenes, our brother, write this letter to the Church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been consecrated in Christ Jesus, to those who have been called to be God's dedicated people in the company of those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus--their Lord and ours. Grace be to you and peace from God, our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. In the first ten verses of Paul's First... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:2

Unto the church of God which is at Corinth ,.... This epistle is inscribed to the saints at Corinth; who are described by their being "the church of God", a particular congregated church; a number of persons gathered out of the world, and joined together in holy fellowship, carrying on the worship of God together, and walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord; a very high character this, to be called the church of God, which is the pillar and ground of truth: and it may be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:2

The Church of God which is at Corinth - This Church was planted by the apostle himself about a.d. 52, as we learn from Acts 18:1 ; (note), etc. Sanctified in Christ Jesus - Ἡγιασμενοις , Separated from the corruptions of their place and age. Called to be saints - Κλητοις ἁγιοις , Constituted saints, or invited to become such; this was the design of the Gospel, for Jesus Christ came to save men from their sins. With all that in every place, etc. - All who profess... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:2

Verse 2 2.To the Church of God which is at Corinth. It may perhaps appear strange that he should give the name of a Church of God to a multitude of persons that were infested with so many distempers, that Satan might be said to reign among them rather than God. Certain it is, that he did not mean to flatter the Corinthians, for he speaks under the direction of the Spirit of God, who is not accustomed to flatter. But (40) among so many pollutions, what appearance of a Church is any longer... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:1-3

The greeting. An opening salutation is found in all the Epistles of St. Paul, and in every Epistle of the New Testament except the Epistle to the Hebrews and the first Epistle of St. John, both of which were more in the nature of treatises than letters. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:1-3

To feel, to be, and to desire. "Paul, called to be an apostle," etc. This salutation of Paul suggests I. WHAT ALL MINISTERS SHOULD FEEL . They should feel: 1. That they have a call to their mission. Paul did so. "Called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God." No man will do his work effectively in any sphere unless he is assured in his own mind that he is called to it. The inner evidence of this call is sympathy with the work and aptitude for it. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:1-3

Christian salutation. I. CHRISTIAN SALUTATION SHOULD BE COURTEOUS . Christianity teaches the truest politeness. It seeks to eradicate the harsh and the brutal. Life is rough enough without our making it rougher; Christianity tends to smooth the ruggedness of life and to make it more kindly. Courtesy in others towards ourselves we greatly value; we have to be towards others what we would have them to be towards us. Paul's courtesy is evidently of the right type—it is heart- ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:1-3

The salutation. As usual in Paul's Epistles, this preface contains the name of the writer, the persons addressed, and a prayer for blessing. We have— I. APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY . Paul's authority as an apostle was disparaged by some at Corinth, who regarded him as inferior to the twelve. Each of the opposing factions had its favourite teacher ( 1 Corinthians 1:12 ), and party spirit led them to decry all but their own. In opposition to this, the apostle opens his letter by presenting... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

St. Paul and the apostleship. First of all, HE ASSERTS THE DIVINE AUTHORITY OF HIS OFFICE , to which he was "called though the will of God." This pro found sense of the dignity belonging to his vocation, as one sent of God, was a supreme principle of his nature; not an opinion, but a conviction, and a conviction too strong to be dislodged from its central seat in his mind by any assault of adverse circumstances. It must needs be subjected to manifold and severe tests, ... read more

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