Greetings and Introduction
Good Morning! And all greetings to you in the Lord Jesus! Our verse of reflection today that will brighten up our day is 1 Corinthians 1:2 "To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call1 on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.
The church is who we are, and this Verse of the Day will explore what this means in the deep places of our beings. This will allow us to see that Christ himself is our source of holiness and that our calling is perse what drives us to this way of living. And then we will also know the truth that all who believe in Christ, no matter where they may be, are one under one Lord. Through this verse let us understand our shared identity and calling and reflect on what it means to live out such a mission in our lives.
BOOK: 1Corinthians
AUTHOR: Apostle Paul
CHAPTER: 1
VERSE: 2
To The Church Of God Which Is At Corinth, To Those Who Are Sanctified In Christ Jesus, Called To Be Saints, With All Who In Every Place Call On The Name Of Jesus Christ Our Lord, Both Theirs And Ours. 1 Corinthians 1:2 (NKJV)
1Corinthians 1:2 - Context
1 Corinthians 1:2 takes place within the context of Paul addressing the early Christian community that formed in Corinth, a key metropolitan city in the ancient Greco-Roman world, yet also a place rife with moral decay. Even this local church is called the 'church of God' by Paul a statement of special ownership and holy purpose. He refers to them as 'set apart in Christ Jesus,' where the origin of their holiness is Christ himself, not their own merit. This also means they are "called to be saints," which is an active invitation for them, from God, that they should live holy lives in line with their new identity. This greeting applies not only to the Corinthians but also to 'those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,' highlighting the universality of unity that exists between all the believers in Christ. The church is built upon this verse and serve the collective identity of believers in Christ.
Title : One Lord, One Church: Local and Universal
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1Corinthians 1:2 -
Commentary
To the church of God: A specific group of believers that belong to God and are set apart for His service. The word “church” (derived from the Greek ekklesia) means “those called out” or “those gathered together.” Here, it refers to the Christians who were fellowshipped together in the city of Corinth. “Of God” indicates ownership and authority; this church is God’s church, not a church of people.
Which is at Corinth: This is a designation of the geographical location of the church. Corinth was a prominent center for trade and culture in ancient Greece but also for immorality. Yet in that place, the church of God was born.
To those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus: Sanctified (Greek hēgiasmenois) means “set apart,” “made holy.” This holiness isn’t something the believers have within them because they’re so good; it’s because of their location “in Christ Jesus.” In Christ they unite with God’s holiness. This is a status they have by faith in Christ.
Called to be saints: This expression highlights God’s initiative. They were “called” to be “saints.” Saints (from the Greek hagiois) means holy people. This is not just a title but a summons to live their lives worthily of the holiness which they have received in Christ.
With all in EVERY PLACE calling on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord: There is no way you can tell me that this is, basically speaking, only for the local Corinthi, when it even also encompasses ALL who in EVERY PLACE call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord! “Call on the name” is not just spoken prayer but also a whole religious life of faith and devotion to Christ. "Our Lord Jesus Christ this phrase stresses both the Lordship of Jesus and His identity as the Messiah.
Both theirs and ours: This concluding phrase affirms the universal lordship of Christ. [A]nd you can see in the previous phrase that Jesus Christ is not only the Lord of the believers in Corinth but also the Lord of Paul and the rest of the apostles and the Lord of everyone who believes in Him. Thus must all the saints be one, holding of one fellowship in one kindness, bearing and forgoing even as they are one with Christ; that is all, and in all, amen.
This verse is addressed to the local believers in Corinth, and serves two main purposes: to remind them of their holy status in Christ and their calling to be saints, and to connect them with believers all over the world that are recognizing Jesus Christ as Lord, thereby reinforcing the universal authority of Christ and the unity of the church.
1Corinthians 1:2 - Application to Life
There is deep theological application for our lives in 1 Corinthians 1:2. We, like the Corinthian believers, when asked to identify ourselves identify ourselves as God’s church, and in so doing, we are called to holiness and service by being separated from the world’s values. The holiness we possess in Christ Jesus does not rely on our own righteousness but grows because of our unbroken union in Christ, which brings us to emulate His holiness in every domain of our lives.
“Called to be saints” is not just who we are, it a calling, an active call to leads lives of holiness in thought, deed, and work. It draws us to rely on God’s grace and to live in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Moreover, this verse helps us to see our oneness with all fellow believers in Christ, no matter what local church we go to or where we live in the world. There is One Lord, One Jesus Christ in which we all pray in the unity he binds us all in love, compassion and support for one another. This great universal call helps us not to be narrow-minded but to be the body of Christ.
1Corinthians 1:2 - Prayer
Heavenly Father, I stand before You filled with thankfulness for the call to be a part of Your church, to be Your own. Thank You that by the amazing fact that I am sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be a saint, by Your will and not by my own. The Last Word: Lord help me understand how I am made holy in Your sight because of my union with Him.
Lord, I ask that You fill me each day to act out my calling as a saint, not merely in speech, but in action. You have set me apart for Yourself, Lord, and I want my life to reflect the holiness You have given to me, in my thoughts, my actions, and my relationships. Help me to withstand what the world wants to offer us and to seek after righteousness with all my heart.
I also pray for all of my brothers and sisters around the world, all who everywhere call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. May we be knitted together in a bond of love and unity that crosses all boundary lines of culture, language and location. Remind me that we are one body, with one Lord, by Your Spirit. Glory be to You, O God, in all things, and forever Amen. Amen.
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