Address Series

Lesson 1.1: Address

Scripture 1 Corinthians 1.1-1.3

1 Cor 1:1-3 (KJV)

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 theirs and ours:

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

Commentary

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

Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ

Paul begins the letter according to the custom of writing letters at that time; the name of the person who wrote the letter and the persons to whom it was written are both inserted. It is an epistle from Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles, to the church of Corinth, which he himself had planted.

Paul is the author, or rather the writer of the following epistle; in point of fact, the Holy Ghost was the author and divine Dictater of it, which has never been doubted, except by those who refuse to believe. He is called by his Roman name, Paul, though his Jewish name was Saul; he was a Jew by birth, but he was born in a Roman city. He was allowed two names, the one Jewish, the other Gentile. He went by Saul when among the Jews, and by Paul when he was with the Gentiles: He was also called Paul when he was in his office; fulfilling the responsibilities of "an apostle of Jesus Christ." He was immediately called, and sent forth by Christ; received the Gospel from him by immediate revelation, and a commission to preach it. His high office was confirmed by signs and wonders, and mighty deeds; by the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost conferred on him, and on others under his ministry; and by the well-known success which came to him by preaching the Gospel. He calls himself an apostle and he holds the office, but some in this church express doubts (vs.9.1, 2[2]), through the insinuations of the false apostles (2 Co 10.10?), about his qualifications; but this was not a mere name given him by men, but was an office he was "called" to by Christ; he did not rush into it, or assume it by his own authority, but he had a divine commission and was empowered to perform it. Then it follows, that if Paul is an apostle, then he must be heard, even though he sometimes sharply reprehends them, bearing in mind that he doesn’t have his own cause in mind, but is a messenger that brings the commandments of Christ.

The words "to be” were added by the translators, but they are unnecessary and even cloud the meaning. Paul was stating what he was, not what he intended to be. As in most of his writings, Paul stressed his divine commission as an apostle, thus invoking the authority needed for dealing with the errors prevalent in Corinth.

Paul has been called by God, that is, set apart by the will of God. Now, two things are required of anyone that would be listened to in the Church, and would occupy the place of a teacher; first, he must be called by God to that office, and second he must faithfully discharge its duties. Paul here lays claim to both. For the name, Apostle, implies that the individual conscientiously acts the part of an ambassador for Christ, and proclaims the pure doctrine of the gospel. But, no one ought to assume this honor to himself, unless he has been called to it.

through the will of God:

Paul's call to the office of an Apostle had nothing to do with personal merit; he says instead that he is "an apostle by the will of God," and this is what constitutes the ground of the authority he claims in the Corinthian Church (compare to Galatians 1:1[4]). It was both by the secret will and purpose of God that he was a chosen vessel, to bear the name of Christ among the Gentiles, (Acts 9:15[6]) ; and by the revealed will of God, designated by the Spirit of God, who said, "separate me Saul and Barnabas, for the work whereunto I have called them", ( Acts 13:2 ) , and this shows, that it was due purely to the free grace and sovereign will and pleasure of God, that he was made an apostle of Christ. And assuredly as a call to salvation is of grace, so also a call to the office of apostle is of grace, as Christ teaches in these words: "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you," (John 15:16[7]). Paul, if left to his own will would never have been an apostle (Romans 9:16[8]). It’s clear that He sees his call by God as a reason for humility on his own part (1Corinthians 15:10[5]).