1 Corinthians 1:2
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 their's and our's:
Original Language Analysis
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκκλησίᾳ
Unto the church
G1577
ἐκκλησίᾳ
Unto the church
Strong's:
G1577
Word #:
2 of 32
a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
4 of 32
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡγιασμένοις
to them that are sanctified
G37
ἡγιασμένοις
to them that are sanctified
Strong's:
G37
Word #:
9 of 32
to make holy, i.e., (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
12 of 32
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ἁγίοις
to be saints
G40
ἁγίοις
to be saints
Strong's:
G40
Word #:
14 of 32
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
σὺν
with
G4862
σὺν
with
Strong's:
G4862
Word #:
15 of 32
with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπικαλουμένοις
call upon
G1941
ἐπικαλουμένοις
call upon
Strong's:
G1941
Word #:
18 of 32
to entitle; by implication, to invoke (for aid, worship, testimony, decision, etc.)
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὄνομα
the name
G3686
ὄνομα
the name
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
20 of 32
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κυρίου
Lord
G2962
κυρίου
Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
22 of 32
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
24 of 32
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τόπῳ
place
G5117
τόπῳ
place
Strong's:
G5117
Word #:
28 of 32
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
αὐτῶν
theirs
G846
αὐτῶν
theirs
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
29 of 32
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
Cross References
Romans 1:7To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.1 Corinthians 1:30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:Acts 26:18To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.1 Thessalonians 4:7For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.Acts 9:14And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.2 Corinthians 4:5For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's use of "sanctified" and "saints" for the flawed Corinthians challenge perfectionism in Christian identity?
- What does it mean practically to be part of a global church rather than viewing your local congregation as autonomous?
- How does the practice of "calling upon the name of Jesus Christ" as Lord imply His deity and our total dependence?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.