1 Corinthians 1:1

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 1:1

Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ ,.... The author, or rather the writer of the following epistle; for the Holy Ghost was the author and dictator of it, and which was never doubted: he is described by his, name Paul, though his Jewish name was Saul; and very probably he being a Jew by birth, and yet born in a Roman city, might have two names, the one Jewish, the other Gentile; and by the one he went when among the Jews, and by the other when concerned with the Gentiles: and also... read more

Adam Clarke

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

Paul, called to be an apostle - Bishop Pearce contends that a comma should be placed after κλητος , called, which should not be joined to αποστολος , apostle: the first signifies being called to, the other sent from. He reads it, therefore, Paul the called; the apostle of Jesus Christ. The word κλητος , called, may be here used, as in some other places, for constituted. For this, and the meaning of the word apostle, see the note on Romans 1:1 . As the apostle had many... read more

John Calvin

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

Verse 1 1.Paul, called to be an Apostle In this manner does Paul proceed, in almost all the introductions to his Epistles, with the view of procuring for his doctrine authority and favor. The former he secures to himself from the station that had been assigned to him by God, as being an Apostle of Christ sent by God; the latter by testifying his affection towards those to whom he writes. We believe much more readily the man whom we look upon as regarding us with affection, and as faithfully... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:1

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... 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

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