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Epiphany · Second Sunday after the Epiphany · Year A

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Called to Be Saints, Enriched in Christ

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
LSB Three-Year Lectionary
GospelJohn 1:29-42aJn 1:29-42a
Epistle1 Cor. 1:1-91 Cor 1:1-9
Old TestamentIsa. 49:1-7Is 49:1-7
PsalterPs. 40:1-11Ps 40:1-11

Overview & Insights

"He will strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 1:8)

Paul opens his letter to a divided, troubled congregation with thanksgiving rather than correction, reminding them of the spiritual gifts God has already given them. The passage grounds the rest of the letter in God's faithfulness rather than in the Corinthians' own factions.

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Take it further: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Commentary

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

Luther Seminary's lectionary commentary on Paul's opening thanksgiving.

1 Corinthians 1:1-9 Commentary1 Cor 1:1-9 Commentary CEP

A preaching-focused read on Paul's opening greeting to a troubled church.

1 Corinthians 1 Commentary1 Cor 1 Commentary Enduring Word

David Guzik's verse-by-verse notes on the letter's opening chapter.

1 Corinthians 1 Commentary1 Cor 1 Commentary Precept Austin

A compiled verse-by-verse resource with Greek word notes on the salutation.

1 Corinthians 1 - Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible1 Cor 1 - Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible StudyLight

John Gill's older exposition of Paul's greeting and thanksgiving.

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

Aggregates several classic commentaries on Paul's opening address.

Background & Word Study

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

Greek text and parsing for Paul's opening greeting.

Book of 1 Corinthians SummaryBook of 1 Cor Summary BibleProject

An animated overview of the letter's structure and Paul's recurring problem-and-gospel pattern.

1 Corinthians 1 - Catena Bible1 Cor 1 - Catena Bible Catena

Patristic commentary from the early church fathers on the letter's opening.

The Church Fathers

1 Corinthians 11 Cor 1 Catena

Verse-by-verse comment from the Fathers on 1 Corinthians 1.

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