I Corinthians 1:1-3: "Greeting the Saints"

As Paul would customarily do, he addresses his readers in the beginning by name. Paul, clearly indicates himself as the author of the first letter to the Corinthians, as it was penned by Sosthenes. Just as in Romans when Tertius identified himself as the transcriber, Sosthenes identifies himself as the transcriber for Paul. Paul specifically addresses himself as "an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God" to his readers to establish his authority. Paul was not mentioning he was an apostle to brag or boast about his position. However, it was necessary to establish the fact that he was writing this letter as a men called and set apart by God. Because Paul was not part of the original twelve and formerly a persecutor of the church, he wanted his readers to understand that he was now writing to them with the same authority as any other apostle. MacArthur writes, "In light of the twelve, in light of false teachers, and in light of his relationship to Christ, to the Corinthian church, and to God the Father, Paul was fully an apostle. He was careful to establish the legitimacy of his apostleship in order to establish the legitimacy of his message". Paul, although wanting to make this clear, was also careful to humbly explain that he only received this authority "by the will of God". He is careful to point out that it is only through the grace of God and his divine sovereignty that allowed him to be an apostle.

Paul then addresses the people he is writing to. "To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours". Paul was making clear that he was writing to his brothers and sisters in the Lord, the universal church of God, which in this letter, was addressed to those in Corinth. Paul wanted to qualify those who were included in this letter as those "who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus". It is true that all those who go to church are not part of the church of God. Sadly, many people go to the physical building that gathers together, however, they are excluded from the true church, which Christ will return to claim. I believe Paul wanted to make clear that only those who "have been sanctified in Christ Jesus" are truly a part of the church of God. It is a fact that those who have been sanctified are "saints by calling". MacArthur writes, "The Greek word translated saint is hagios, meaning 'set apart one,' or 'holy one.' The Corinthian believers were holy in God's sight, regardless of their sinful living and distorted doctrine. They were saints because they had been sanctified (from hagiazo), set apart from sin, made holy in Christ Jesus". That is in fact true of all those who come to Christ. Here, Paul is giving them divine truth so that they understand if they fall under this category they have been set apart. Most likely, Paul wants his readers to understand their fellowship with him, and their standing before God before he begins to be bold in his correction of the errors occurring in their church.

Paul may also begin his introduction this way to help remind his readers that they have "been sanctified" and are "saints by calling", so that they may remember to act in such a way. MacAthur writes, "Paul increased the Corinthians' sense of responsibility by reminding them that they were linked in spiritual life to all who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours. This is added to heighten their sense of identity and responsibility with all 'who have received a faith of the same kind as ours' (2 Pet. 1:1)". Paul finishes his introductory remarks by lovingly writing, "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ". This common expression from Paul, can be looked at as a loving reminder of the fact that they are saved and at peace with God through His grace, before he began to hit hard on them for their failures and shortcomings. May we always remember to stand firm in the truth, never compromising, but always doing so with love and Christ's glory as most important.