1 Corinthians 1:1-9 NKJV
1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, 5 that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, 6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, 7 so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
In the opening verses of 1st Corinthians, the apostle Paul addresses the church in Corinth, emphasizing their sanctification in Christ and the abundant grace bestowed upon them. Paul begins by acknowledging his calling as an apostle and extending greetings to the church in Corinth. He emphasizes that they are sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be saints. This reminds us of our own sanctification, a result of God’s grace. Through the redemptive work of Christ, we are set apart and made holy, called to live out our faith in the midst of a fallen world.
Thus, Paul’s words are not confined to the Corinthians alone. He includes all who call on the name of Jesus Christ, creating a sense of unity among believers across different places and times. This unity is deeply rooted in the shared faith in Christ, the cornerstone of our salvation.
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” This greeting is often used in our congregations to begin the sermon, and it encapsulates the heart of the gospel message. It is through God’s grace that we receive peace—peace with God and peace within ourselves. Our biblical understanding centers on salvation by grace through faith, and this grace extends beyond our comprehension, embracing us in the warmth of God’s love.
Paul expresses gratitude for the grace given to the Corinthians through Christ Jesus. He points out that they were enriched in every way—utterance, knowledge, and spiritual gifts. This enrichment is a result of Christ’s work in their lives, and it highlights the various ways in which God equips His people for service in His kingdom.
Paul’s assurance that God will confirm them to the end and keep them blameless in the day of the Lord Jesus Christ underscores the faithfulness of God’s promises. Our faith clings to the certainty of God’s promises in Christ and the unshakable assurance of His sustaining grace. Let us pray: Lord, we pray that your grace may always go before and follow after us, that we may always be ready to do your good works; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.