The author, Paul

The author of this letter is Paul. He introduces himself twice (1:1, 16:21). Paul also refers to himself as an “apostle” four times (1:1, 4:9, 9:1, 15:9). It was Paul who laid the foundation of the Corinthian church. However, this church had many problems. Therefore, around year 55 AD, while in Ephesus, Paul wrote this letter. This letter was written with four purposes. It was written (1) to correct the problems that the Corinthian church was facing, (2) to give instructions regarding the discipline of a person who had committed the sin of sexual immorality, (3) to answer a wide variety of specific questions, and (4) to inform them of Paul’s future visit to Macedonia. We tend to think of the apostolic age as an ideal era, but that is not the case. Local churches had various problems. First Corinthians teaches how to apply the spiritual truths revealed by God to daily life and how to solve specific problems.

The church of God

Paul informs them that brother Sosthenes is with him. It is not clear exactly who Sosthenes was, but he was probably someone well known to the believers in the Corinthian church. He may even have been a member of that church. (1) Paul calls the Christians in Corinth “the church of God.” They are part of the universal church. Unlike any pagan organization, they are a group of people who have been called out from this world. (2) Although they had many problems, they are still called “saints.” (3) Those who are connected to Jesus Christ are “them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints” (ASV). Are you troubled by the problems you are facing? Even so, you are called a “saint.” Paul writes, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” We have come to be called “saints” entirely by the grace of God (ref. Eph. 2:8-9 and 2 Cor. 8:9). Let us praise our gracious God from the heart.