Episode 167 - "God is faithful" - 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

1 Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes, 2 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: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

In these few years I’ve been producing this blog and podcast, we covered the Gospel of John and, most recently, the Epistle of James. It’s time to walk through one of the Apostle Paul’s letters. This is the first of two letters to the Christians at Corinth that is included in our New Testament canon. The style of the introductory verses is very common in Paul’s letters. He identifies himself and his role as an apostle through the divine will and “call” of God. Paul is not one of the twelve who were with Jesus through his earthly ministry. We don’t get to know anything about Paul until we get to the book of Acts. Acts begins with the ascension of Jesus to heaven and the sending of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles at Pentecost, which is the initiating event for the church. It’s not long before we read about an antagonist of Christianity who is a Jewish leader named Saul. Saul participated in the stoning of Stephen, a follower of Christ, and sought to persecute as many Christians as possible. On a journey to Damascus for the purpose of arresting Christians, Jesus appeared in a bright light and spoke to Saul from heaven, and Saul became a follower of Christ. His name was changed to Paul. (See Acts 7-9) He is the most prolific author of our New Testament books.

Paul introduced himself as an apostle, but specifying this role is not something he chose or sought himself. He was called by God to fulfill this role. He mentions a brother in Christ named Sosthenes as well as though he has something to contribute to this written message that has been delivered to them. There is no indication I’m aware of regarding Sosthenes’ contribution to the letter. However, in Acts 18:1-17 we read about Paul’s first recorded trip to and ministry among the people he is now writing to. We discover that Sosthenes was with Paul and had been beaten by Jews for their witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul had been there for around eighteen months, teaching people about Jesus. Maybe Paul mentions Sosthenes's name to remind these Corinthian believers what he and Sosthenes invested in them to get their attention.

After introducing himself, he addresses his readers with specific statements about who they are. First of all, they are “the church of God at Corinth.” They are “God’s assembly.” The primary thing these people have in common besides their residence in Corinth is that they are brought together in fellowship by God's will. Furthermore, they are sanctified in Christ Jesus. The word “sanctified” means set apart for a holy purpose. Followers of Jesus are in Christ intended for God’s holy purpose. He adds these believers are “called to be saints (or holy) together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (v. 2) We may have local fellowships of Christ followers. But we are also part of a greater fellowship of everyone everywhere who follows Jesus. This should remind us that by trusting in Jesus, we have been intentionally set apart for God’s purposes, and our lives should reflect the holiness to which God has called us.

Paul expresses his blessing to them of God’s grace and peace from the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. What a wonderful thing to know that God wants peace with us and intends to bless us with his grace.

Paul then explained that he always gives thanks because God’s grace to them was evident in how they had been “enriched in him (Christ Jesus) in all speech and knowledge” (v. 5), and they did not lack any gift. (v. 6) What does this mean? It appears to me that when he says in verse 6, “even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you,” he means that as they believed the gospel and the word taught them as Paul discipled them, he witnessed how the Holy Spirit enabled them in ways of understanding and communication so that they could encourage, and teach others as well. That’s how the testimony of Christ was confirmed. The work of the Holy Spirit in their lives was obvious. This affirmation by Paul is intended to encourage them. He tells them they are not lacking any gift “as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (vs. 7-8) The point is that God is with his people. He will provide what they need.

He concludes his introduction and thanksgiving in verse 9 by saying, “God is faithful.” Paul understands that these believers were facing challenges and needed encouragement by reminding them that God has not abandoned them. His grace and peace are extended to them. He has enabled them through the power of the Holy Spirit, and we are to be holy and focused on Him.

Paul is about to chastise them for getting off track. So, he began this letter by reminding them of what God had done for them and his purpose for them. What encouragement we can draw from knowing that God is with us and is faithful to us.