Who are the people Paul mentions at the start of this passage?

Paul names himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, showing that his role comes from God and not from himself. He also mentions Sosthenes, whom he calls “our brother,” likely a fellow worker known to the church. Later he refers to the household of Chloe, who reported the quarrels in the church, and to Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanas, whom he had baptized. These names remind the readers that this is a real church family with real people and relationships.

What does it mean that the believers are sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be saints?

Being sanctified in Christ Jesus means these people have been set apart for God through their connection to Jesus, not by their own good works. “Called to be saints” means God has called them to belong to him and to live as his holy people. This is true even though the church at Corinth had many problems. Their identity starts with what God has done for them in Christ, not with their failures. Holiness is first a gift from God, then a life they are to grow into.

Why does Paul thank God for the Corinthians when they have so many problems?

Paul thanks God because he sees God’s grace at work in them. He says they have been enriched in all speech and all knowledge and that they do not lack any spiritual gift. He looks first at what God has given them in Christ, not at their failings. This doesn’t mean their sins are okay, but it shows that God has truly begun a work in them. Paul’s thanks reminds us that even imperfect believers are still recipients of God’s grace, and that praise should go to God for any good we see in his people.

What does this passage teach about God’s faithfulness and keeping believers to the end?

Paul tells the Corinthians that Jesus will confirm them to the end so that they will be blameless in the day of the Lord. He grounds this in a simple truth: “God is faithful.” God is the one who called them into the fellowship of his Son, and he will not abandon what he has started. Their hope does not rest on their own strength but on God’s promise and Christ’s righteousness. Even though they still sin and stumble, God’s faithfulness means he will keep his people and bring them safely to the day when Christ returns.

Why were there divisions in the church at Corinth, and what does Paul say about them?

The church had split into groups, each claiming loyalty to a different leader: Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or even saying, “I am of Christ” in a party spirit. These were not healthy differences but quarrels and prideful camps. Paul urges them to speak the same thing, to have no divisions, and to be joined together in mind and judgment. He asks sharp questions: “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you?” His point is that the church belongs to Christ alone. Human leaders are servants, not saviors, and should never become the center of our identity.

What does Paul mean when he asks, Is Christ divided?

When Paul asks, “Is Christ divided?” he is showing how wrong it is for believers to split into rival groups around human leaders. Christ is one, and his body, the church, should reflect that unity. Since Jesus alone was crucified for them and they were baptized in his name, all their hope and identity should be in him. The question exposes how foolish it is to treat pastors or teachers as if they were the foundation of faith. Christ is not cut into pieces for different groups; all believers share the same Lord and belong together in him.

Why does Paul say that Christ sent him not to baptize but to preach the gospel?

Paul is not saying baptism is unimportant, but he is clear about his main task. His primary calling as an apostle is to preach the good news about Jesus. If people focused on who baptized them, they might start boasting in the preacher instead of in Christ. Paul wants no suggestion that he is gathering followers for himself. He also says he was sent to preach not with fancy words, so that the cross of Christ would not be emptied. The simple message of Jesus crucified must stay at the center, not human skill or style.

What does this passage show about the right way to view spiritual gifts?

Paul says the Corinthians are enriched in all speech and knowledge and do not lack any gift as they wait for Jesus to return. Spiritual gifts are presented as signs of God’s grace and as tools for the good of the church, not as reasons to boast or to look down on others. Later in the letter he will correct how they use these gifts, but here he reminds them first that the gifts come from God. They should lead to thankfulness, service, and unity, not to pride or division. Gifts are meant to build up the body of Christ.

How can believers today apply Paul’s call for unity in this passage?

Believers today can take Paul’s words to heart by refusing to build their faith around human leaders, styles, or groups. It is right to be thankful for pastors and teachers, but wrong to treat them as if they were the center of our faith. We should remember that all who call on the name of Jesus share one Lord and one hope. Practically, this means watching our hearts for pride, speaking about other Christians with love, and being willing to seek peace instead of feeding quarrels. Our main loyalty should always be to Christ and his gospel.

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

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

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:

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

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

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

Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.