lectionary.com

Ordinary Time · Thanksgiving Day USA · Year A

1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Thanksgiving

November 26, 2026

Saint Paul Writing His Epistles, Valentin de Boulogne
Saint Paul Writing His Epistles, Valentin de Boulogne, c. 1618–1620Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
A French follower of Caravaggio working in Rome. Paul is lit from one side at a table strewn with paper, caught mid-thought with the pen stopped.I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him.Valentin de BoulogneA French painter in Rome and the most committed of Caravaggio's followers, who died at thirty-eight after a night out in the cold.Museum of Fine Arts, HoustonThe oldest art museum in Texas, grown very large on oil money, and free on Thursdays.Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Roman Lectionary
GospelLuke 17:11-19Lk 17:11-19
Second Reading1 Cor. 1:3-91 Cor 1:3-9
First ReadingSir. 50:22-24Sir 50:22-24
Responsorial PsalmPs. 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11Ps 145:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11

Overview & Insights

“God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:9)

If anything strikes someone who begins reading 1 Corinthians, it is how Paul packs content into every word from the outset. When we realize how well he knows the Corinthian congregation even on a personal level and recognize that this is at least his second letter to the church (5:9), it is quite remarkable that even his opening “hello” reads like a thoughtful theological reflection. Not only does he broadly follow the conventions for a traditional Greco-Roman letter opening;1he subtly introduces the major perspectives that will guide his discussion in the coming sections of the letter. Interpretive Insights 1:1 Paul . . . an apostle. Paul begins by identifying himself as “an apostle.” Unlike in his letter to the Galatians, where the reference to his apostleship is an argument for authority (Gal.

From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.

Take it further: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Commentary

1 Corinthians 1: Thanksgiving and the Wisdom of God1 Cor 1: Thanksgiving and the Wis of God Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse evangelical commentary on Paul's thanksgiving for the church.

1 Corinthians 1 Commentary1 Cor 1 Commentary Precept Austin

A deep gathering of word studies and cross references worked verse by verse through 1 Corinthians 1.

1 Corinthians 1:3 Commentaries1 Cor 1:3 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregates classic commentaries on Paul's opening thanksgiving in one place.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 1Barnes' Notes on 1 Cor 1 StudyLight

Albert Barnes' notes on the whole of 1 Corinthians 1.

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:3-9Commentary on 1 Cor 1:3-9 Center for Excellence in Preaching

A Reformed preaching commentary from Calvin Seminary on Paul's thanksgiving for the church.

Background & Word Study

1 Corinthians 1:3 Greek Interlinear1 Cor 1:3 Greek Interlinear BibleHub

Greek word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers for grace, peace, and thanksgiving.

The Church Fathers

Catena on 1 Corinthians 1Catena on 1 Cor 1 Catena

Patristic comments verse by verse on giving thanks for the grace given in Christ.

Questions preachers ask

How does Paul open this letter?

He gives thanks that the Corinthians were enriched in Christ with every gift and speech, and that God will sustain them guiltless to the end, for he is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:4–9).

Prep at sermons.com

Ready to write?

  • Full sermons on Luke 17:11-19
  • Illustrations cleared for use in worship
  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Open it at sermons.com →

Trusted by pastors since 1995.

Free every Tuesday

Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox

The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.