1 Corinthians 1:2

Context of 1 Corinthians 1:2

First Corinthians is an epistle written by the Apostle Paul to the Christian church in Corinth, a prominent and wealthy Roman city in ancient Greece. Corinth was a bustling seaport, known for its diverse population, significant trade, and widespread immorality, particularly associated with pagan temple worship. Paul had established this church during his second missionary journey, spending a year and a half teaching there (Acts 18:11). Despite its spiritual gifts and growth, the Corinthian church faced numerous internal problems, including divisions, immorality, and doctrinal misunderstandings. Paul's opening address in verse 2 sets a crucial tone, reminding them of their divine identity and calling amidst their struggles.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Ownership and Identity: The phrase "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth" immediately establishes that this community, despite its flaws, belongs to God. It is not merely a human organization but a divinely established assembly. This foundational truth underscores Paul's subsequent admonitions and teachings.
• Sanctification in Christ: Believers are described as "sanctified in Christ Jesus." This signifies that through their union with Christ, they have been set apart and declared holy by God. It is a positional holiness, a status granted by God's grace, not earned by human merit. This concept of being God's workmanship in Christ Jesus is central to Christian identity.
• Called to be Saints: Complementing sanctification, believers are "called [to be] saints." The word "saints" (Greek: hagioi) means "holy ones" or "set-apart ones." This isn't a title for a select few spiritual elite, but a description of all who are in Christ. It implies both a divine calling to belong to God and a corresponding expectation to live a life consistent with that calling. Paul uses similar phrasing in other letters, such as his greeting to the saints in Rome (Romans 1:7).
• Universality of the Church: The phrase "with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours" broadens the scope beyond Corinth. Paul emphasizes that the Corinthian church is part of a larger, universal body of believers. This highlights the unity of all Christians who call upon the name of the Lord for salvation, subtly addressing the divisions that plagued the Corinthian assembly itself.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "sanctified" is hagiazo (ἁγιάζω), meaning "to make holy, to consecrate, to set apart for sacred use." In this context, it refers to a completed divine act—believers have been made holy in Christ. The term "saints" comes from hagios (ἅγιος), which means "holy" or "set apart." It is a foundational identity for all believers, signifying their new relationship with God and their separation from the world's common uses for His special purpose.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound encouragement and a clear reminder of Christian identity today.

• Identity in Christ: Regardless of our personal struggles, past sins, or present imperfections, our core identity as believers is "sanctified in Christ Jesus." We are God's chosen and set-apart people.
• Call to Holiness: Being "called to be saints" means that our positional holiness in Christ should lead to practical holiness in our daily lives. This is a journey of growth and transformation.
• Unity of Believers: The recognition that we are part of a global family who "call upon the name of Jesus Christ" fosters unity and reminds us to look beyond local church preferences or denominational differences to the common Lord we share.