Pentecost Season · Thanksgiving Day USA · Year A
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Thanksgiving
November 26, 2026
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
Commentary
1 Corinthians 1: Thanksgiving and the Wisdom of God Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse by verse evangelical commentary on Paul's thanksgiving for the church.
1 Corinthians 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 Commentaries BibleHub
Aggregates classic commentaries on Paul's opening thanksgiving in one place.
Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 1 StudyLight
Albert Barnes' notes on the whole of 1 Corinthians 1.
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 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
The Church Fathers
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
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.