1 Corinthians 1:2 kjv

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:

1 Corinthians 1:2 nkjv

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:

1 Corinthians 1:2 niv

To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ?their Lord and ours:

1 Corinthians 1:2 esv

To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

1 Corinthians 1:2 nlt

I am writing to God's church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.

1 Corinthians 1 verses

1 Corinthians 1 2 Meaning

First Corinthians 1:2 identifies the recipients of Paul's letter as the assembly of God at Corinth, set apart by divine decree and united with Christ Jesus. They are affirmed as those divinely called and constituted as holy ones, a status shared with all believers everywhere who invoke the name of Jesus Christ as Lord—acknowledging His supreme authority and salvific power. The verse establishes the foundational identity of believers not by their location or achievements, but by their calling, their sanctification in Christ, and their universal connection to Him as Lord.

1 Corinthians 1 2 Context

First Corinthians 1:2 initiates Paul's epistle to a prominent and prosperous city in the Roman province of Achaia, famous for its strategic trade routes, diverse population, and prevalent idolatry and immorality. The church at Corinth was established during Paul's second missionary journey (Acts 18), but by the time of this letter (c. AD 55), it was plagued by internal divisions, moral laxity, legal disputes among believers, misuse of spiritual gifts, and theological misunderstandings.

Paul begins not by directly addressing their myriad problems, but by affirming their fundamental identity and standing in God's eyes. By calling them "the church of God" and "sanctified in Christ Jesus," he reminds them of their sacred status and common ground as God's chosen people, unified by their shared relationship with Christ, irrespective of their local issues or factions. This opening establishes a theological anchor before diving into specific behavioral and doctrinal corrections throughout the rest of the letter. It subtly challenges any self-righteousness or judgmentalism among them by emphasizing that their identity, grace, and peace originate from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, a status they share with all believers globally.

1 Corinthians 1 2 Word analysis

• To the church of God which is at Corinth,

  • church (Greek: ekklēsia, ἐκκλησία): Literally, "a called-out assembly." In biblical usage, it signifies the assembly of God's people, separated from the world for His purposes. It's not merely a local gathering but carries the profound sense of belonging to God, possessing a divine calling and identity. It emphasizes divine initiative—God calling them together.
  • of God (Greek: tou Theou, τοῦ Θεοῦ): Specifies ownership and origin. This assembly belongs to God, founded by Him, and serving His divine purposes, not a human organization or a club based on worldly allegiances.
  • Corinth: A strategically important port city known for its wealth, cosmopolitan atmosphere, and also its reputation for moral depravity and cultic practices (like the Temple of Aphrodite). Paul addresses the believers in this specific challenging environment, underscoring their unique status within it.

• to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus,

  • sanctified (Greek: hēgiasmenois, ἡγιασμένοις): From the verb hagiazo, meaning "to set apart," "to make holy." In this context, it primarily refers to a positional sanctification, an objective act by God that sets believers apart for His use, declaring them holy in Christ. This is distinct from progressive sanctification, the ongoing process of growing in practical holiness. It emphasizes the foundational, unchangeable status of every believer due to their union with Christ, regardless of their present moral struggles.
  • in Christ Jesus (Greek: en Christō Iēsou, ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ): Denotes vital union, a spiritual solidarity and relationship. Believers' sanctification, their identity, and their access to God are not based on their own merit but on their identification with Christ's death and resurrection. It is a profound theological concept signifying source, sphere, and ground of their new existence.

• called to be saints,

  • called (Greek: klētois, κλητοῖς): Refers to the divine summons or invitation. It is an effective call from God that brings one into relationship with Him. This is not merely an outward invitation but an inward, transformative calling (e.g., Rom 8:30).
  • saints (Greek: hagiois, ἁγίοις): "Holy ones," or "those who are set apart." Similar to "sanctified," but here, it's their identity as a result of being called and sanctified. It is not a title for a select few moral exemplars, but the biblical description of all believers by virtue of their union with Christ. Every true believer is a saint.

• with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord,

  • with all that in every place: Extends the scope beyond the local Corinthian assembly. Paul highlights the universal nature of the Christian faith and the unity of the body of Christ across geographical boundaries. It corrects any potential localism or exclusivity the Corinthians might have harbored, reinforcing the truth that they are part of a global family of believers.
  • call upon the name: This phrase denotes genuine confession, worship, and reliance. It signifies a public acknowledgment of faith in Jesus, invoking His authority, power, and mercy for salvation and daily life (e.g., Acts 2:21; Rom 10:13). It implies trust and submission to His Lordship.
  • Jesus Christ our Lord,
    • Jesus Christ: The unique divine-human person of the Messiah.
    • our Lord (Greek: hēmōn Kyriou, ἡμῶν Κυρίου): Emphasizes shared Lordship and common allegiance. This confession signifies that Christ holds supreme authority over all believers. It unites believers across locations, transcending cultural and social differences, as they all serve the same Sovereign.

• both theirs and ours:

  • This final phrase powerfully reiterates the shared, universal Lordship of Christ. Jesus Christ is not only the Lord of the Corinthians but also of Paul and all believers "in every place." It serves as a concluding emphasis on the unity, common faith, and shared submission under the singular headship of Jesus Christ, providing a critical foundation before Paul addresses the Corinthians' disunity.

1 Corinthians 1 2 Bonus section

The profound tension within the Corinthian church—between their glorious positional identity as "sanctified in Christ" and "saints," and their lamentable practical unholiness and disunity—is precisely what the entire letter of 1 Corinthians aims to resolve. Verse 2 establishes the high bar of God's perfect provision for them, against which their less-than-perfect reality will be systematically addressed. It underscores that spiritual reality in Christ (sanctification, calling, universal Lordship) precedes and empowers moral responsibility. Paul is reminding them of who they are in God's eyes, even if their actions do not always reflect that identity, providing the basis for their ethical transformation. This opening is not flattery, but a foundational theological truth intended to reorient their perspective.

1 Corinthians 1 2 Commentary

First Corinthians 1:2 serves as a profound theological introduction to Paul's epistle, anchoring the struggling Corinthian church in their unassailable identity in Christ before confronting their practical failings. By labeling them "the church of God," Paul immediately reminds them that their existence is not by human design or local whim, but by divine purpose and ownership. This ownership implies God's care, but also His sovereign right to define their conduct.

The dual description "sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints" defines their status. Their sanctification is a past, accomplished act of God based on their vital union with Christ; it is positional holiness, an imputed righteousness through Christ's work, not a state achieved by their own merit. From this secure position, they are also "called to be saints"—meaning, by God's effective call, they are set apart and designated as holy ones. This truth underscores that holiness is an inherent aspect of their Christian identity, not merely an aspiration. It forms the basis upon which Paul later appeals for them to live out their practical sanctification, aligning their conduct with their God-given identity.

The verse's climax is the universal declaration "with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours." This statement is critical. It expands the horizon beyond Corinth, weaving them into the fabric of the global Body of Christ. It combats the Corinthian tendency toward division and factionalism by highlighting their shared confession and supreme loyalty to one universal Lord, Jesus Christ. To "call upon the name" signifies a complete reliance on Christ for salvation and worship, acknowledging His divine authority. This universal shared Lordship binds all believers together and is the ultimate counter-argument to their disunity: the Head of the church is one, therefore the body should be one. Paul establishes common ground and unifies principles that will serve as the measuring stick for their subsequent correction and instruction.