1 Corinthians 1:9

Authorized King James Version

God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
πιστὸς
is faithful
objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful
#2
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#3
θεὸς
God
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
#4
δι'
by
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
#5
οὗ
whom
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#6
ἐκλήθητε
ye were called
to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
#7
εἰς
unto
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
#8
κοινωνίαν
the fellowship
partnership, i.e., (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction
#9
τοῦ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#10
υἱοῦ
Son
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
#11
αὐτοῦ
of his
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
#12
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
#13
Χριστοῦ
Christ
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus
#14
τοῦ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#15
κυρίου
Lord
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
#16
ἡμῶν
our
of (or from) us

Analysis

The covenant theme here intersects with God's relationship with His people from Abraham through the new covenant. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of evolution from creation covenant through Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, to new covenant. The phrase emphasizing faith central to epistemology and the means by which humans receive divine revelation and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's relational commitment from Noah to the new covenant.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on covenant particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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