Read & explore together
Greetings from Paul and Sosthenes
These opening words show how Paul begins his letter to the believers in Corinth. He identifies himself, names Sosthenes, describes the church carefully, and offers a greeting centred on God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
In these verses, the letter opens with sender, recipients, and greeting. Paul says he is an apostle of Jesus Christ by God’s will, includes Sosthenes as a brother, addresses God’s assembly at Corinth and all who call on the Lord Jesus, and speaks grace and peace.
1 Corinthians 1:1–3Main takeaway
This greeting teaches that the church belongs to God, is set apart in Christ Jesus, and receives grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Paul’s calling and SosthenesPaul begins by naming himself and saying he was called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God.
Explanation
Paul begins by naming himself and saying he was called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God. That means his role comes from God’s will, not from self-appointment in this greeting. He also includes Sosthenes and calls him our brother, showing shared Christian relationship.
02The assembly of God at CorinthThe letter is addressed to the assembly of God which is at Corinth. Paul does not describe it as belonging to a person or group, but to God.
Explanation
The letter is addressed to the assembly of God which is at Corinth. Paul does not describe it as belonging to a person or group, but to God. He then says these believers are sanctified in Christ Jesus and called saints, language that marks them out as belonging to Christ.
03A wider circle of believersPaul’s greeting also includes all who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, both theirs and ours.
Explanation
Paul’s greeting also includes all who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, both theirs and ours. The letter is sent to Corinth, yet this wording connects that church with other believers who call on the same Lord. Jesus Christ is presented as Lord for all these places.
04Grace and peace from God and the Lord JesusPaul gives the greeting, Grace to you and peace. He says this grace and peace are from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Explanation
Paul gives the greeting, Grace to you and peace. He says this grace and peace are from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The verse joins the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ in the greeting and presents grace and peace as gifts coming from them.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does Paul say about how he became an apostle?
Look at the exact words in verse 1 and notice that Paul says his calling was through the will of God.
02How does Paul describe the believers in Corinth?
List each phrase in verse 2, including what he says about whose assembly it is and how these people are identified in Christ Jesus.
03From whom do grace and peace come in this greeting?
Answer using the names given in verse 3 rather than a general summary.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 Corinthians 1:1–3
1Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,
2to the assembly of God which is at Corinth—those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called saints, with all who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, both theirs and ours:
3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.