Paul
The name "Paul" is derived from the Latin "Paulus," meaning "small" or "humble." Originally known as Saul, Paul was a Pharisee and a zealous persecutor of Christians before his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). His transformation is a testament to the power of God's grace and the radical change that can occur in a person's life when they encounter Christ. As a key figure in the early church, Paul's writings have profoundly shaped Christian theology and practice.

called to be an apostle
The Greek word for "called" is "klētos," which implies being divinely summoned or appointed. Paul emphasizes that his apostleship is not self-appointed but is a divine calling. The term "apostle" comes from the Greek "apostolos," meaning "one who is sent out." This highlights Paul's role as a messenger and ambassador of the Gospel, entrusted with spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ. His calling underscores the sovereignty of God in choosing and equipping individuals for His purposes.

of Christ Jesus
This phrase identifies the source and authority of Paul's apostleship. "Christ" is the Greek "Christos," meaning "Anointed One," equivalent to the Hebrew "Messiah." "Jesus" is derived from the Hebrew "Yeshua," meaning "Yahweh is salvation." By linking his apostleship to Christ Jesus, Paul affirms that his mission and message are rooted in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the central figure of the Christian faith.

by the will of God
The Greek word for "will" is "thelēma," indicating a deliberate choice or intention. Paul asserts that his role as an apostle is not by human decision but by God's sovereign will. This reflects the biblical theme of divine election and purpose, where God orchestrates events and calls individuals according to His perfect plan. It reassures believers that their lives are under God's providential care and direction.

and our brother Sosthenes
Sosthenes is mentioned as a co-sender of the letter, indicating his importance in the Corinthian church. The name "Sosthenes" means "safe in strength" in Greek. He may be the same Sosthenes mentioned in Acts 18:17, who was a leader of the synagogue in Corinth and possibly converted to Christianity. His inclusion as "our brother" emphasizes the familial bond among believers, united in faith and mission. This highlights the communal aspect of the early church, where leaders and members worked together to advance the Gospel.

(1) Paul, called to be an apostle.--Better, a called Apostle of Jesus Christ. His apostolic authority, which was questioned by some in Corinth, is thus set out at the commencement of the Epistle.

And Sosthenes our brother.--Sosthenes the brother, probably the Sosthenes (see Note on 1Corinthians 1:16) the chief ruler of the synagogue mentioned in Acts 18:17, one of the brethren well known to the Corinthians. From his name being thus joined with that of the Apostle, we may conjecture that he was his amanuensis in writing this Epistle, the salutation only (1Corinthians 16:21) having been written by St. Paul's hand.

Verse 1. - Paul. After the beginning of the first missionary journey (A.D. 45) he seems to have finally abandoned his Hebrew name of Saul. Called. The word "called" is absent from A, D, E, and other manuscripts, but may have been omitted as superfluous. It occurs in the greeting of Romans 1:1, but not in any other Epistle. The words might also be rendered "a called or chosen apostle." To be an apostle. He uses this title in every letter except the private one to Philemon, the peculiarly friendly and informal one to the Philippians, and the two to the Thessalonians, which were written before the Judaizers had challenged his claim to this title in its more special sense. The Epistle to the Romans is the first in which he calls himself "a slave of Jesus Christ" (comp. Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:1; James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude 1). It was necessary for him to assert his right to the apostolate in the highest sense of the word, as one who had received from Christ himself an authority equal to that of the twelve (see 1 Corinthians 9:1-5; 1 Corinthians 15:9; 2 Corinthians 11:5; 2 Corinthians 12:11, 12; Galatians 1:1-19, etc.). Of Jesus Christ. In the Gospels the word "Christ" is all but invariably "the Christ," i.e. the Anointed, the Messiah. It is the designation of the office of Jesus as the promised Deliverer. We trace in the New Testament the gradual transition of the word from a title into a proper name. In the two names together our Lord is represented as "the Saviour," and the anointed Prophet, Priest, and King, first of the chosen people and then of all mankind. Through the will of God (comp. 2 Corinthians 1 Ephesians Colossians 2 Timothy 1:1). This special call to the apostleship is emphatically expanded in Galatians 1:1. The vindication of the Divine and independent claim was essential to St. Paul's work. It was not due to any personal considerations, but to the necessity of proving that no human authority could be quoted to overthrow the gospel which was peculiarly "his gospel" (see Galatians 1:11; Ephesians 3:8), of which one main feature was the freedom of the Gentiles from the yoke of Judaic bondage. And Soathenes. The association of one or more brethren with himself in the greeting of his letters is peculiar to St. Paul. Silas and Timothy are associated with him in 1 and 2 Thessalonians; and Timothy, though so much his junior, in 2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon; doubtless he would have been associated with St. Paul in this Epistle had he not been absent (1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 16:10). The practice arose partly from St. Paul's exquisite courtesy and consideration towards his companions, partly from his shrinking from mere personal prominence. It is owing to the same reasons that in the earlier Epistles he constantly uses "we" for "I," and sometimes when he can only be speaking of himself (1 Thessalonians 2:18). But even in the Epistles to the Thessalonians he sometimes relapses from "we" into "I" (2 Thessalonians 2:5). Our brother; literally, the brother; i.e. one of "the brethren" (comp. 2 Corinthians 1:1). Of Sosthenes nothing whatever is known. He may possibly be the amanuensis whom St. Paul employed for this letter. Later tradition, which in such matters is perfectly valueless, spoke of him as" one of the seventy disciples, and Bishop of Colophon" (Eusebius, 'Hist. Eccl.,' 1:12). There is a Jewish Sosthenes, a ruler of the synagogue, in Acts 18:17; but it is only a vague conjecture that he may have been subsequently converted, and may have joined St. Paul at Ephesus. It is obvious that the persons named in the greetings of the Epistles were not in any way supposed to be responsible for their contents, lot St. Paul begins with "I" in ver. 4. Brother. At this time there was no recognized title for Christians. In the Acts they are vaguely spoken of as "those of this way." Among themselves they were known as "the saints," "the faithful," "the elect." The name "Christians" was originally a nickname devised by the Antiochenes. In the New Testament it only occurs as a designation used by enemies (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Paul,
Παῦλος (Paulos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3972: Paul, Paulus. Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle.

called [to be]
κλητὸς (klētos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2822: From the same as klesis; invited, i.e. Appointed, or, a saint.

an apostle
ἀπόστολος (apostolos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 652: From apostello; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ.

of Christ
Χριστοῦ (Christou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

by
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

[the] will
θελήματος (thelēmatos)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 2307: An act of will, will; plur: wishes, desires. From the prolonged form of ethelo; a determination, i.e. choice or inclination.

of God,
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[our]
ὁ (ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

brother
ἀδελφὸς (adelphos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 80: A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.

Sosthenes,
Σωσθένης (Sōsthenēs)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4988: From the base of sozo and that of sthenoo; of safe strength; Sosthenes, a Christian.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 1:1 Paul called to be an apostle (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)