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Epiphany Season · Second Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year A

1 Corinthians 1:1-3

Paul's Greeting to the Church at Corinth

January 18, 2026

Saint Paul Writing, Pier Francesco Sacchi
Saint Paul Writing, Pier Francesco Sacchi, 1520sThe National Gallery, London
Paul in a red cloak sits writing at a desk by a window, a crucifix and his sword beside him, a landscape opening behind.Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God … To the church of God that is in Corinth … Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.Pier Francesco SacchiA Genoese painter of the early sixteenth century, known for richly detailed saints.The National Gallery, LondonThe National Gallery, London.The National Gallery, London
Roman Lectionary
GospelJohn 1:29-34Jn 1:29-34
Second Reading1 Cor. 1:1-31 Cor 1:1-3
First ReadingIsa. 49:3, 5-6Is 49:3, 5-6
Responsorial PsalmPs. 40:2+4, 7-8a, 8b-9, 10 (8a, 9a)Ps 40:2+4, 7-8a, 8b-9, 10 (8a, 9a)

Overview & Insights

"To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints." (1 Corinthians 1:2)

Paul opens his letter by naming himself, called to be an apostle by God's will, and his co-sender Sosthenes. He addresses a church made up of people the world would call ordinary, yet whom God has set apart in Christ Jesus and called to a holy life alongside every believer everywhere.

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Commentary

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:1-9Commentary on 1 Cor 1:1-9 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary commentary on the fuller opening and thanksgiving of 1 Corinthians assigned for this Sunday.

1 Corinthians 1:1-9 Commentary1 Cor 1:1-9 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Reformed preaching commentary reading Paul's greeting as already laying the theological foundation for the rest of the letter.

1 Corinthians 1 Commentary1 Cor 1 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse by verse evangelical commentary on Paul's apostleship and his address to the Corinthian church.

1 Corinthians 1:1 Commentaries1 Cor 1:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregated classic commentary on Paul's calling and the church sanctified in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 1 - Gill's Exposition1 Cor 1 - Gill's Exposition StudyLight

John Gill's notes on Paul's apostolic calling and Sosthenes as co-sender.

1 Corinthians 1 Commentary1 Cor 1 Commentary Precept Austin

Verse by verse study notes on the salutation and Paul's description of the Corinthian believers as called to be saints.

The Church Fathers

1 Corinthians 1, patristic commentary1 Cor 1, patristic commentary Catena

Verse by verse commentary from the church fathers on this chapter, gathered from the catenae.

Background & Word Study

1 Corinthians 1:1 Interlinear1 Cor 1:1 Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word by word parsing of kletos apostolos (called apostle) and hegiasmenois (sanctified).

Book of 1 Corinthians SummaryBook of 1 Cor Summary BibleProject

Animated overview of 1 Corinthians' structure and Paul's pastoral aims for a divided church.

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