Who are Paul and Sosthenes in this passage and why are they mentioned?

Paul introduces himself as someone called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God. He is not claiming this role for himself but saying God chose and sent him. Sosthenes is called “our brother,” likely a well-known believer from Corinth. By naming Sosthenes with him, Paul shows he is not working alone, and that others stand with him in the same faith. This opening line reminds the church that this letter comes with God-given authority, yet also with warmth and family love.

What does it mean that the Corinthians are sanctified and called to be saints?

When Paul says they are “sanctified in Christ Jesus” and “called to be saints,” he means they are set apart for God because they belong to Christ. Their holiness is not based on how well they behave, but on what Jesus has done for them. At the same time, being called saints means they are meant to live in a way that fits this new identity. They are already God’s people in Christ, and they are also called to grow in a holy life that matches that calling.

Why does Paul thank God for the Corinthians even though they had problems?

Paul knows this church has serious issues, yet he starts by thanking God for them. He thanks God for the grace given to them in Christ, for how they have been enriched in speech and knowledge, and for the spiritual gifts they have. This shows that their failings do not cancel God’s work in them. Paul looks first at what God has done and will do, not only at their sins. This helps us see that believers can be both deeply flawed and truly blessed by God at the same time.

What does Paul mean by the call to have no divisions and be of the same mind?

Paul begs the brothers and sisters to agree in what they say, to have no divisions among them, and to be joined together in the same mind and judgment. He is not demanding that they think the same about every small matter, but that they be united in the core truth of Christ and stop forming parties around different leaders. Their quarrels show pride and spiritual immaturity. Being of the same mind means letting the truth about Jesus shape their attitudes, words, and decisions so the church acts as one body, not a group of rival clubs.

Why were some in Corinth saying "I am of Paul" or "I am of Apollos"?

People in Corinth were grouping themselves by which teacher they liked most, saying “I am of Paul,” “I am of Apollos,” “I am of Cephas,” or even “I am of Christ” in a party spirit. They were treating church leaders like favorites to follow, almost like competing schools or clubs. Paul shows how wrong this is by asking, “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you?” Only Christ died for them, and they were baptized into his name, not into the name of any preacher. Leaders are servants, not masters of different camps.

What does Paul mean that Christ sent him not to baptize but to preach the gospel?

Paul is not putting down baptism, since he did baptize some people. He is saying that his main task as an apostle is to preach the good news about Jesus. He is glad he did not baptize many in Corinth so that no one could claim they belonged to him in a special way. He also says he does not preach with fancy speech or human wisdom, so that the cross of Christ will not be emptied of its power. The focus is on the message of Christ crucified, not on the status of the messenger.

Why is the preaching of the cross called foolishness to some and the power of God to others?

Paul says the message about Christ dying on the cross sounds like foolishness to those who are perishing. They expect signs or clever ideas, and a crucified Savior seems weak and shameful. But to those who are being saved, this same message is the power of God. Through what looks weak, God deals with sin and brings people to himself. God chose a way of saving that ruins human pride in wisdom and strength, so that faith rests on him alone. The same message brings scorn to some and life to others.

What does it mean that God chose the foolish and weak things of the world?

Paul tells the Corinthians to look at themselves. Not many of them were wise, powerful, or noble by human standards when they were called. God chose what the world sees as foolish, weak, low, and despised to shame the wise and strong. He even speaks of “things that are not” to bring to nothing “things that are.” This shows that God does not build his people on human status. He works through those the world overlooks, so that no one can boast before him or claim that salvation came by their own greatness.

What does it mean that Christ is made to us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption?

Paul says that believers are in Christ because of God, and that Christ is given to them as wisdom from God, and also as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. This means everything needed for a right standing with God and a holy life is found in Jesus, not in ourselves. He is our wisdom, because through him we truly know God. He is our righteousness, because his obedience counts for us. He is our sanctification and redemption, because he sets us apart and frees us. So anyone who glories should glory in the Lord, not in themselves.

How can this passage about unity and the cross apply to believers today?

This passage reminds believers today not to divide around favorite teachers, traditions, or styles. Just as in Corinth, it is easy to connect faith to human leaders instead of to Christ. Paul calls us back to the simple center: Christ crucified and risen. Our identity, hope, and gifts all come from him. God still works through what looks weak in human eyes, so we should not chase status or cleverness. Instead, we can thank God for his grace, use our gifts to serve others, and speak humbly, giving honor to the Lord rather than to ourselves.

1Cor.1.1

1 Corinthians 1:1

KJV

Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

Greetings from Paul and Sosthenes

1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their’s and our’s:

3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving

4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;

6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:

7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Unity in the Church

10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.

16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

The Message of the Cross

18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Wisdom from God

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.