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1 Corinthians 1:1-3
The first epistle/letter to the Corinthians was written by the apostle Paul. He addresses the epistle as being from himself and Sosthenes through Jesus Christ. Sosthenes, as we read in Acts 18:17 is noted as being the ruler of the synagogue in Corinth. Without further information on Sosthenes, other than Paul addressing him as “our brother”, it is possible that he has been converted from Judaism to being a believer in Christ Jesus and that he is with Paul as this epistle is being written.
This epistle, as stated in 1 Corinthians 1:2 (NKJV) is addressed 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:”. Corinth was a worldly place with a multitude of travelers passing through this “hub” city. The ways of the world had certainly taken a grasp on its inhabitants. It is important to note that Paul did not write this epistle to all those in Corinth but, “2To 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:” and he gives them the blessing in 1 Corinthians 1:3 of, “3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
This is an example that the words written in the Bible are to be followed by “first” putting your faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. It is only then that you begin to realize and understand what it means to “follow” God’s will for your life.
We too must first put our faith and hope in our Savior Jesus Christ before we can begin to understand and follow God’s will for our lives. It is one thing to know about God and salvation in Christ Jesus, but to make the decision to open your heart to Jesus in asking His forgiveness for your sins and accepting Him in your heart, mind, and soul as the One who paid your debt to sin, and the One who gives you everlasting life is the realization and beginning of living a new life in Christ Jesus. Now you are in a position of putting the instructions of the Bible to work in your life in following God’s plan for your life – in Christ! In the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:3, “3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Dear LORD,
As we begin this study of Paul’s first epistle to the church at Corinth, please help us to understand that putting our faith in Christ Jesus as our Savior is the first step in following Your will for our lives and putting the practical application of the lessons we will learn in this study to work in our lives. Call us to You in the gift and salvation You offer us in Christ Jesus so that we all may experience Your peace and love in our lives – in Christ! In Jesus name I pray, amen.