King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 1:2 Mean?

1 Corinthians 1:2 in the King James Version says “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all t... — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

1 Corinthians 1:2 · KJV


Context

1

Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

2

Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

3

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

4

I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
To them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints (hegiasmenos ἡγιασμένοις ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ, kletois hagiois κλητοῖς ἁγίοις)—Despite their carnality and divisions, the Corinthians are positionally sanctified (set apart) by union with Christ. The term hagiois ("saints," holy ones) is not a title for moral heroes but the normal designation for all believers. Paul uses kletos ("called") again: they are saints by divine calling, not by achievement.

With all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord—The church at Corinth is not autonomous but part of the universal body of Christ. This global perspective will inform Paul's rebuke of their parochialism and factionalism. To call upon the name (epikaleo to onoma, ἐπικαλέω τὸ ὄνομα) is cultic language: invoking Christ as Lord is worship reserved for deity, implicitly affirming His divinity.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Corinthian church was planted around AD 51-52 during Paul's 18-month stay (Acts 18:1-11). The congregation included both Jews and Gentiles, slaves and free, wealthy patrons and the poor—a volatile social mix that contributed to the divisions Paul addresses. The phrase "in every place" reminds them that despite Corinth's cosmopolitan pride, they are part of a global, Christ-centered movement, not just a local social club.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Paul's use of "sanctified" and "saints" for the flawed Corinthians challenge perfectionism in Christian identity?
  2. What does it mean practically to be part of a global church rather than viewing your local congregation as autonomous?
  3. How does the practice of "calling upon the name of Jesus Christ" as Lord imply His deity and our total dependence?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 32 words
τοῦ1 of 32

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐκκλησίᾳ2 of 32

Unto the church

G1577

a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth

τοῦ3 of 32

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ4 of 32

of God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

τοῦ5 of 32

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

οὔσῃ6 of 32

is

G5607

being

ἐν7 of 32

at

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

Κορίνθῳ8 of 32

Corinth

G2882

corinthus, a city of greece

ἡγιασμένοις9 of 32

to them that are sanctified

G37

to make holy, i.e., (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate

ἐν10 of 32

at

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

Χριστοῦ11 of 32

Christ

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

Ἰησοῦ12 of 32

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

κλητοῖς13 of 32

called

G2822

invited, i.e., appointed, or (specially), a saint

ἁγίοις14 of 32

to be saints

G40

sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)

σὺν15 of 32

with

G4862

with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi

παντὶ16 of 32

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τοῦ17 of 32

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐπικαλουμένοις18 of 32

call upon

G1941

to entitle; by implication, to invoke (for aid, worship, testimony, decision, etc.)

τοῦ19 of 32

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὄνομα20 of 32

the name

G3686

a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)

τοῦ21 of 32

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κυρίου22 of 32

Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

ἡμῶν·23 of 32

our

G2257

of (or from) us

Ἰησοῦ24 of 32

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Χριστοῦ25 of 32

Christ

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

ἐν26 of 32

at

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

παντὶ27 of 32

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τόπῳ28 of 32

place

G5117

a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas g5561 is a large but participle locality), i.e., location (as a position, home, tract, etc

αὐτῶν29 of 32

theirs

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

τε30 of 32

both

G5037

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

καὶ31 of 32

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἡμῶν·32 of 32

our

G2257

of (or from) us


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Corinthians 1:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Corinthians 1:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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