Meaning of 1 Corinthians 1:2

This verse serves as the salutation in Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth, establishing the recipients and their identity in Christ. Paul addresses them as "the church of God in Corinth," emphasizing their belonging to God and their specific geographical location. He then defines them by two key characteristics: "those sanctified in Christ Jesus" and "called to be his holy people." Sanctification, in this context, refers to their set-apartness for God's purposes through their union with Christ, a status that is both a present reality and an ongoing process. The phrase "called to be his holy people" highlights their divine vocation and the inherent holiness that is to be manifested in their lives, a calling that extends to "all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." This inclusive statement broadens the scope beyond just the Corinthian believers to encompass all genuine followers of Christ who acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Context and Background

The church in Corinth was a vibrant but deeply troubled community. Founded by Paul on his second missionary journey (Acts 18), it was located in a cosmopolitan and morally lax city known for its pagan temples and commercial prosperity. Consequently, the Corinthian church struggled with various issues, including divisions, immorality, and doctrinal disputes. Paul's letter is a pastoral response to these challenges, aiming to correct, instruct, and encourage them toward unity and spiritual maturity. This opening verse immediately sets the tone by reminding them of their foundational identity in Christ, which should transcend their earthly divisions.

Key Themes and Messages

Several crucial themes emerge from this opening:

• Divine Ownership and Identity: The phrase "church of God" underscores that the church belongs to God, not to any human leader or faction. Their identity is rooted in God's possession and calling.
• Sanctification in Christ: Being "sanctified in Christ Jesus" signifies a positional holiness, meaning they are declared holy and set apart by God through their faith in Christ. This is not primarily about their own efforts but about what Christ has accomplished for them.
• The Call to Holiness: The designation "called to be his holy people" is an imperative. While sanctification is a gift, it also implies a responsibility to live out that holiness in practical ways, reflecting their new identity.
• Universal Fellowship in Christ: The inclusion of "all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" emphasizes the universal nature of the Christian faith and the shared identity of all believers across time and space. Their common Lord binds them together.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This verse holds profound spiritual significance for believers today. It reminds us that our identity is not defined by our circumstances, our past mistakes, or our social standing, but by our relationship with God through Christ. We are sanctified—set apart—not because we are inherently perfect, but because Christ's righteousness has been imputed to us. This positional holiness is the foundation for the practical holiness we are called to pursue. Furthermore, it reminds us that we are part of a global community of faith, united by our common invocation of Jesus Christ as Lord. This understanding should foster humility, encourage unity, and inspire a life that reflects our set-apart status.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This verse is deeply embedded in the overarching biblical narrative of redemption. From God's calling of Abraham to be a blessing to the nations (Genesis 12), to the establishment of Israel as a holy nation (Exodus 19:6), and culminating in the new covenant in Christ, the theme of God setting apart a people for himself is consistent. The church, as described here, is the New Testament fulfillment of this promise, a spiritual Israel composed of both Jews and Gentiles who are consecrated through the atoning work of Jesus Christ. The invocation of Christ's name is central to the New Testament, signifying faith, allegiance, and salvation (Romans 10:13).

Analogies

One analogy for sanctification is that of a precious gem that has been cut and polished by a master craftsman. The gem's inherent value and beauty are revealed through the craftsman's work, making it suitable for a royal setting. Similarly, believers are "cut and polished" by Christ's work on the cross and through the Holy Spirit, transforming them into something beautiful and set apart for God's use. Another analogy is that of a royal decree that declares a citizen to be of noble birth. The decree itself confers the status, even before the citizen fully embodies all the virtues of nobility. In the same way, our sanctification in Christ is a declaration of God's grace that precedes our perfect conformity to Christ's image.

Relation to Other Verses

This verse resonates with numerous other biblical passages:

• 1 Corinthians 6:11: "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." This verse directly echoes the themes of washing, sanctification, and justification through Christ and the Spirit, reinforcing the Corinthian believers' new status.
• Ephesians 1:4-5: "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will." This passage highlights the eternal, predestined nature of our calling and sanctification, rooted in God's sovereign choice before time began.
• Hebrews 10:10: "And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ once for all." This verse emphasizes that our sanctification is a completed work, accomplished through Christ's singular sacrifice.
• Romans 10:12-13: "For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses everyone who calls on him, for, 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'" This passage underscores the universal call to salvation and the unifying power of calling on the name of the Lord Jesus, directly supporting the inclusive nature of Paul's salutation.