Advent Season · First Sunday of Advent · Year B
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Thanksgiving
November 29, 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.
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Commentary
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 - Working Preacher Working Preacher
Luther Seminary commentary on Paul's Advent thanksgiving as the Corinthians await the revealing of Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:3-9 - Center for Excellence in Preaching Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed commentary on Paul's gratitude and the waiting, gift-laden church.
Enduring Word Bible Commentary 1 Corinthians Chapter 1 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse study of 1 Corinthians 1.
1 Corinthians 1 Commentary | Precept Austin Precept Austin
Detailed verse commentary and word studies on 1 Corinthians 1.
The First Sunday in Advent, Year B Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre
Dr. Brant Pitre treats 1 Corinthians 1 within the Advent 1 readings.
Background & Word Study
1 Corinthians 1:3 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek interlinear with parsing for 1 Corinthians 1:3-9.
Book of 1 Corinthians Overview - BibleProject BibleProject
Animated overview of 1 Corinthians and the situation Paul addresses.
1 Corinthians - Enter the Bible Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary book introduction and background to 1 Corinthians.
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).
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