Trinity/After Pentecost · The Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity
1 Corinthians 1:(1-3) 4-9
Thanksgiving
October 4, 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
Enduring Word Bible Commentary 1 Corinthians Chapter 1 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse by verse evangelical commentary on the thanksgiving for grace and the gifts given to the church.
1 Corinthians 1:4 Commentaries BibleHub
Aggregates classic commentators on the enrichment in all speech and knowledge as the church waits for Christ.
1 Corinthians 1 Commentary Precept Austin
A deep gathering of word studies and cross references worked verse by verse through Paul's opening thanksgiving.
1 Corinthians 1, Expository Notes StudyLight
Thomas Constable's expository notes on the grace, gifts, and faithfulness of God that open the letter.
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary exegesis of the thanksgiving that names God as the one who enriches, calls, and sustains the church.
Background & Word Study
Enter the Bible: 1 Corinthians Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on the Corinthian church, its divisions, and the occasion of the letter.
Overview: 1 Corinthians BibleProject
An animated overview of 1 Corinthians that frames Paul's opening thanksgiving and appeal for unity.
1 Corinthians 1:4 Greek Interlinear BibleHub
Greek word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers for grace, gift, fellowship, and faithful.
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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